177 lines
4.3 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
177 lines
4.3 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
property
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propertyadvice
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propertyclinic
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7811555
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# Need to know: fire protection
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## Continuing the series in which our Clinic experts provide a guide to those
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thorny issues that can trip up the unwary. This week, David Snell on fire
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protection.
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By David Snell 4:10PM BST 09 Jun 2010
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[Comments][1]
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**We have converted our loft. Do we really have to have fire doors?**
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Building regulations are strict. If you have three storeys after the
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conversion, new and existing staircases must be enclosed as a 30-minute fire-
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resistant construction. There must be an external door at the bottom of each
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staircase, or at least two FD20 fire doors into separate rooms of 30-minute
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fire-resistant construction with openings to the outside. New doors to
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habitable rooms off the stairs must be FD20 fire doors with intumescent strips
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and self-closers (bungalow lofts are exempt). Existing doors can be retained
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if fitted with self-closers. Floors must also be half-hour fire-resistant
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construction.
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**Are there rules about windows?**
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## Related Articles
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* [Need to know: downsizing][2]
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28 May 2010
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* [Property clinic: Planning][3]
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28 May 2010
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* [Property clinic: Bricks & mortar][4]
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28 May 2010
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* [Home improvements: heating system powerflush][5]
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25 May 2010
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* [Property clinic: The market][6]
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21 May 2010
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* [Property Clinic: Planning][7]
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13 May 2010
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The upper floors and any new ground-floor rooms must have "means-of-escape
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windows" with clear opening dimensions of 0.33 square metres or more (and
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450mm in at least one direction) and the sills 800mm to 1,100mm above the
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floor. The loft must have roof lights of the same egress dimensions within
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1,700mm of the eaves. All escape windows should be accessible by ladder from
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ground level.
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**And alarms?**
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Every floor should have smoke alarms in the circulation area and within 7.5m
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of all habitable rooms. These should be mains-operated - separately wired and
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fused back to the control unit - but with battery backup.
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If you have an open-plan kitchen not separated from the circulation area, you
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will also need compatible heat detection devices. Smoke alarms and heat
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detection devices need occasional testing and batteries regularly replaced.
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**Are fire extinguishers a good idea?**
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Certainly. But you must have the right one. Burning wood, paper, textiles and
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any carbonaceous material can be put out with water or with an extinguisher
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using ABC powder or AFF foam. Flammable liquids must only be put out using an
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AFF foam, CO2 or ABC powder extinguisher. Electrical hazards require an
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extinguisher using CO2 or ABC powder. A wet chemical extinguisher must be used
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for cooking oils and fats.
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* [propertyclinic@telegraph.co.uk][8]
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[X][9] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][10]
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* Share: [Share][9] [ ][11] [ ][12]
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[Tweet][13]
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/propertyclinic/7811555
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/Need-to-know-fire-protection.html
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Telegraph
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## [Property Clinic][14]
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* ### [Lifestyle »][15]
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* ### [Property »][16]
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* ### [Property Advice »][17]
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In property
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[![Twenty-four-hour party people: noisyneighbours can turn even the loveliest
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of houses into a waking nightmare][18] ][19]
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### [Property clinic: Noisy neighbours][19]
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[![House Doctor DIY: whether you are papering walls or ceilings, it pays to
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have a helper at hand, says David Snell][20] ][21]
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### [Doctor in the House: wallpaper worries][21]
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[![I spy: neighbours are not responsible for subcontractors
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][22] ][23]
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### [Property clinic: How responsible are our neighbours?][23]
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[![Building regulations and energy efficiency: The new elemental U values
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applies to flat roofs, external walls, glazing and roof lights][24] ][25]
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### [Building regulations and energy efficiency][25]
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[X][9] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][10]
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Share:
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* [ ][9]
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* [ ][11]
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* [ ][12]
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* [Tweet][13]
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* Advertisement
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![][26]
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telegraphuk
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Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.][27] [blog
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comments powered by Disqus][28]
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