fire travel distances scotland

Escape travel distances

Further guidance regarding escape routes This section provides further guidance on the general principles that apply to escape routes and provides examples of typical escape route solutions for a range of common building layouts. The guidance is based on premises of normal risk so if your premises (or part of your premises) are higher (or lower) risk you should adapt the solution accordingly. Travel distances Having established the number and location of people and the exit capacity required to evacuate them safely, you now need to confirm that the number and location of existing exits is adequate. This is normally determined by the distance people have to travel to reach them. In new buildings which have been designed and constructed in accordance with modern building standards the travel distances will already have been calculated. Once you have completed your fire risk assessment you need to confirm that those distances are still relevant. When assessing travel distances you need to consider the distance to be travelled by people when escaping, allowing for walking around furniture or display material etc. The distance should be measured from all parts of the premises (e.g. from the most remote part of an office or shop on any floor) to the nearest place of reasonable safety which is: A protected stairway enclosure (a storey exit) A separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of total safety. The nearest available final exit Suggested travel distances Where more than one escape route is provided: 25m in higher fire-risk area. 45M in normal fire-risk area. 60m in lower fire-risk area. Where only a single escape route is provided: 12m in higher fire-risk area. 18m in normal fire-risk area. 25m in lower fire-risk area. The travel distances given above are based on those recommended in Approved Document B of the Building Regulation and are intended to complement the other fire safety recommendations in Approved Document B. Your current escape route travel distances may be different from these since they may be based on recommendations made in alternative guidance. Where your route leads to more than one final exit, but only allows initial travel in a single direction (e.g. from a room or dead end), then this initial travel distance should be limited to that for a "single escape route". However, your total travel distance should not exceed that for "more than one escape route". Measuring travel distance The route taken through a room or space will be determined by the layout of the contents e.g. work stations, aisle layout. It is good practice to ensure routes to the exits are kept as direct and short as possible. In small rooms there may only be one exit but in larger rooms or area there may be many exits. In some cases where the contents are moved around or the space is liable to frequent change, e.g. in a storage area or where racking is moveable you should ensure that the exits, or the routes to them, do not become blocked or the length of the route is not significantly extended.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to navigation

legislation.gov.uk

• Browse Legislation
• New Legislation
• Coronavirus Legislation
• Changes To Legislation

Search Legislation

The fire safety (scotland) regulations 2006, you are here:.

• Scottish Statutory Instruments
• 2006 No. 456
• Regulation 13
• Table of Contents
• Previous: Provision
• Next: Provision

Print Options

What version.

• Latest available (Revised)
• Original (As made)

Opening Options

• Open whole Instrument
• Open Instrument without Schedules
• Open Schedules only

More Resources

• Original: King's Printer Version

This is the original version (as it was originally made).

Means of escape

13. —(1) Where necessary in order to ensure the safety of relevant persons in respect of harm caused by fire, the person with duties under section 53 or 54 must ensure that routes to emergency exits from relevant premises and the exits themselves are kept free from obstruction at all times.

(2) The following requirements must be complied with in respect of relevant premises where necessary (whether due to the features of the relevant premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to ensure the safety of relevant persons in respect of harm caused by fire:–

(a) emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a safe area beyond the relevant premises;

(b) in the event of danger from fire, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the relevant premises as quickly and as safely as possible;

(c) the number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits must be adequate having regard to the use of, equipment contained in, and the dimensions of the relevant premises and the maximum number of persons who may be present there at any one time;

(d) doors on the emergency route shall open in the direction of escape;

(e) sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits;

(f) doors on the emergency route must not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency;

(g) emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs; and

(h) emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print the whole instrument.

• PDF The Whole Instrument
• Web page The Whole Instrument

Print The Whole Part

• PDF The Whole Part
• Web page The Whole Part

Print This Section only

• PDF This Section only
• Web page This Section only

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised): The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Executive Note

Executive Note sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Scottish Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Scottish Statutory Instrument accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Scottish Statutory Instrument or Draft Scottish Statutory Instrument laid before the Scottish Parliament from July 2005 onwards.

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

• the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
• lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
• confers power and blanket amendment details
• all formats of all associated documents
• correction slips
• links to related legislation and further information resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

• the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

• New site design
• Accessibility
• Privacy Notice

Fire Safety - Escape travel distances

Further guidance regarding escape routes.

This section provides further guidance on the general principles that apply to escape routes and provides examples of typical escape route solutions for a range of common building layouts. The guidance is based on premises of normal risk so if your premises (or part of your premises) are higher (or lower) risk you should adapt the solution accordingly.

Travel distances

Having established the number and location of people and the exit capacity required to evacuate them safely, you now need to confirm that the number and location of existing exits is adequate. This is normally determined by the distance people have to travel to reach them. In new buildings which have been designed and constructed in accordance with modern building standards the travel distances will already have been calculated. Once you have completed your fire risk assessment you need to confirm that those distances are still relevant. When assessing travel distances you need to consider the distance to be travelled by people when escaping, allowing for walking around furniture or display material etc. The distance should be measured from all parts of the premises (e.g. from the most remote part of an office or shop on any floor) to the nearest place of reasonable safety which is:

• A protected stairway enclosure (a storey exit)
• A separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of total safety.
• The nearest available final exit

Suggested travel distances

Where more than one escape route is provided:

• 25m in higher fire-risk area.
• 45M in normal fire-risk area.
• 60m in lower fire-risk area.

Where only a single escape route is provided:

• 12m in higher fire-risk area.
• 18m in normal fire-risk area.
• 25m in lower fire-risk area.

The travel distances given above are based on those recommended in Approved Document B of the Building Regulation and are intended to complement the other fire safety recommendations in Approved Document B. Your current escape route travel distances may be different from these since they may be based on recommendations made in alternative guidance. Where your route leads to more than one final exit, but only allows initial travel in a single direction (e.g. from a room or dead end), then this initial travel distance should be limited to that for a "single escape route". However, your total travel distance should not exceed that for "more than one escape route".

Measuring travel distances

The route taken through a room or space will be determined by the layout of the contents e.g. work stations, aisle layout. It is good practice to ensure routes to the exits are kept as direct and short as possible. In small rooms there may only be one exit but in larger rooms or area there may be many exits. In some cases where the contents are moved around or the space is liable to frequent change, e.g. in a storage area or where racking is moveable you should ensure that the exits, or the routes to them, do not become blocked or the length of the route is not significantly extended.

Find out about how you can help shape our future service

Last updated

3 November 2023

Hotel Fire Safety

Your guide to staying safe while staying it a hotel.

While you are staying in the hotel, you’ll be in a new environment. Like at home, it’s important you know your emergency escape plan.

• When you arrive check guest fire action notices in your room for your nearest fire escape.
• Never assume a fire alarm is false. React immediately, every second counts.
• Follow signs to your nearest exit, which may not be the way you came in.
• Go to the dedicated assembly point and let a responsible person know you are ok.

Make sure you know where the fire exits are. Plan your escape route. It only takes a minute for fire to break out. Then every second counts when you need to escape. Make sure you know the quickest escape route.

The way you came in is not necessarily the fastest or safest way out. Emergency fire exits are there to be used when the fire alarm actuates and will take you into a protected area or directly outside. Always use the closest exit.

Escape route

Escape route information is usually provided on your room door or in close proximity.

Escape stairs

Escape stairs are contained within a fire resistant enclosure creating a protected zone which will lead you to a final exit out of the building.

Every second counts. Know you’re safe.

Smoke alarms

The smoke alarm in your room is there to give early warning if a fire breaks out. Do not cover the alarm or interfere with it. Do not smoke in your room. Help keep all guests safe.

Please select one below (required)

Limit is 1200 characters

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Housing, local and community
• Planning and building
• Building regulation

Fire safety: Approved Document B

Building regulation in England covering fire safety matters within and around buildings.

Applies to England

March 2024 amendments to approved document b, volume 1 and volume 2.

PDF , 252 KB , 13 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

PDF , 6.02 MB , 180 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

PDF , 4.37 MB , 204 pages

June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

PDF , 1.06 MB , 54 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

PDF , 3.01 MB

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

PDF , 3.26 MB

May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

PDF , 172 KB , 12 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-915-6

PDF , 2.75 MB , 180 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-916-3

PDF , 2.94 MB , 204 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to December 2018

PDF , 2.22 MB , 84 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to April 2019

PDF , 4.54 MB , 172 pages

November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

PDF , 360 KB , 20 pages

December 2018 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

PDF , 146 KB , 12 pages

November 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses

PDF , 314 KB , 12 pages

2013 amendments to Approved Documents

PDF , 479 KB , 51 pages

Building regulations fire safety procedural guidance (2015 – 5th edition)

https://www.labc.co.uk/guidance/resource-library/technical-guide-building-regulations-fire-safety-procedural-guidance

Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/approved-document-b-fire-safety-frequently-asked-questions

Approved Document B: frequently asked questions (No longer current)

PDF , 1.26 MB , 12 pages

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating the 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-488-5

PDF , 2.88 MB

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-489-2

PDF , 4.91 MB

Building regulations for fire safety in residential homes, including new and existing dwellings, flats, residential accommodation, schools, colleges and offices.

On 2 April 2020, as a response to the call for evidence: a technical review of Approved Document B of the building regulations , ​a workplan was released showing upcoming research to inform updates to fire safety guidance provided in Approved Document B.

The announcement of the new clarified Approved Document B is provided in the Circular . A government response to the consultation has been published.

We have also published frequently asked questions following the ban on combustible materials in external walls: Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018: frequently asked questions

Archived versions of Approved Document B are available at the National Archives

Order printed copies

Online: RIBA books Telephone: 020 7496 8383 Email: [email protected]

Added March 2024 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2.

Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments.

Added link to Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

Added June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

Added May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Added a link to Technical review of Approved Document B workplan.

Replaced: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

The department has become aware of a potential error in Approved Document B volume 1 2019 edition which details the provision of dampers fitted to the vents of smoke shafts. The department is investigating with industry experts the use of the defined term “fire and smoke dampers” in paragraph 3.51 iii. In addition to this, the guidance in relation to double-skinned insulated roof sheeting will be updated. Diagram 5.2a (volume 1) diagram 8.2a (volume 2) with the associated text in paragraph 5.14 (volume 1) and 8.28 (volume 2) will be updated to remove “with a thermoplastic core”. This brings the text in line with the previous edition of ADB and ensures there is no technical change to the new clarified document. Both volumes of Approved Document B have been removed from sale and from GOV.UK. The potential future corrections will be limited to the paragraphs and diagrams referenced above only.

Added: 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition' and 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition'.

Added November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Added 2018 amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1 and volume 2.

Added 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses - amendments to statutory guidance covering fire safety matters within and around buildings in England.

First published.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

• Active Topics

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

• Skip to main content
• Accessibility help

Information

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Fire safety guidance for existing premises with sleeping accommodation

Advice consolidating and superseding a number of existing fire safety guides.

Chapter 7: Provision And Use Of Means Of Escape

203. Once a fire has been detected and a warning given, everyone in the premises should, if necessary, be able to move or be assisted away from the fire to a place of reasonable safety such as an enclosed protected stair or another compartment from where they should be able to continue to escape to an unenclosed safe area beyond the premises. Means of escape is the provision of safe escape routes for people to travel from any point in a building to an unenclosed safe area, and includes the measures to maintain those routes. The number and capability of people will influence the assessment of the escape routes. The escape routes should be sufficient to enable the maximum number of people likely to use the premises at any time to safely escape [11] .

204. Escape should also be considered from external areas like enclosed yards.

205. Means of escape should be provided both in terms of the number and capacity of escape routes and in terms of their protection from fire and smoke. When determining whether premises have adequate escape routes, a number of interdependent factors should be considered, including:

• the characteristics, number and location of people in the premises
• the construction of the premises and the potential for fire and smoke spread
• the fire compartmentation of the premises
• the time it will take people to escape

Escape Routes

206. A room containing more than 60 persons should have at least two exits, a room with more than 600 should have at least three exits. But a greater number of exits may be necessary, this will depend on the actual numbers resorting and travel distance to the nearest room exit.

207. Even where the number of persons is low, at least two escape routes may be necessary from:

• a storey over 7.5 m in height (other than flats, maisonettes and small premises)
• a basement used by the public (other than only toilets)
• a basement more than 4.5 m deep
• a flat entered from above the accommodation level

208. Larger premises will normally have at least two independent escape routes from each storey of the premises used for sleeping accommodation.

209. The direction of travel of alternative escape routes from any point within a room should:

• diverge at an angle of at least 45 o ; or
• after a single direction of escape not more than 12 m, then diverge at an angle of at least 45 o plus 2½ o for every metre travelled in the single direction.

210. Escape routes should be via a direct and unobstructed route. Once occupants have left a room they should ideally not have to pass through another room to reach a protected escape route or a place of safety. Though in existing low risk situations, escape may be from an inner room through an outer room (see paragraph 220).

211. An escape route should not be by way of

• a lift (unless specifically designed for evacuation)
• an escalator
• a manual sliding door, other than one to which the general public does not have access
• revolving or automatic doors unless arranged to fail safely in the outward opening position in accordance with BS 7036

212. A clear headroom for escape routes and circulation areas is at least 2 m, and not less than 1.9 m in a doorway.

213. The width and geometry of escape routes should be sufficient to facilitate the evacuation method used and for the number of occupants to escape. From a room or storey with not more than 100 persons, an escape width not less than 1000 mm may be adequate. Where in excess of 100 persons, 1100 mm may be adequate. At least 1200 mm may be necessary where the room or storey is accessible to wheelchair users.

214. An escape route will not normally narrow in the direction of escape but at doorways the width can generally be 150 mm less than the escape route. Where the number of people using the escape route is not more than 225, the door width may be at least 850 mm where the number of people is not more than 100.

215. To assist with evacuation, a door across an escape route should open in the direction of escape where the occupancy capacity is 60 or more, or where occupants may need to exit quickly or the door is a final exit. In other situations it is good practice for a door to be outward opening if practicable.

216. The area outside final exit doors should have suitable underfoot conditions for persons evacuating and pathways so that persons can move away from the building.

Travel Distance

217. There should be a limit on the distance that persons should have to travel to reach a place of reasonable safety. In general, travel distance is the distance measured along the actual route of escape (having regard to the layout) from any point within a storey to the nearest door giving direct access to either; another compartment; a protected stair; or to a final exit. However in the case of flats and maisonettes, two separate travel distances are considered:

• the distance travelled within the flat or maisonettes to its main entrance or exit door
• the distance travelled from the main entrance or exit door of a flat or maisonette to the final exit, protected escape route or external escape stair.

218. Travel distance benchmarks are given in Table 7 .

Table 7 Travel distance by reference to building type

* this includes the single direction distance

219. A single direction of escape is travel before there is the choice of escape routes. See Figures 4 to 6 . A single direction of escape may involve persons moving towards or past a fire, if the fire occurs between the occupant and the choice of escape routes.

Figure 4 - Single direction of escape within a room before a choice of escape routes becomes available

Figure 5 - Single direction of escape out of room and along a corridor before a choice of escape routes becomes available

Figure 6 - Single direction of escape within a room before a choice of escape routes, one of which goes through a fire door into another compartment

Inner Rooms

220. An inner room is a room where access to a circulation area can only be achieved by passing through an access room (see Figure 7 ). A fire could develop unnoticed in the access room preventing the occupants of the inner room escaping. The risk to persons in the inner room will be less if the access room contains limited combustibles and ignition sources, and travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exit from the outer room are short. The following conditions will limit the risk to persons in the inner room:

• the access room should not be of a higher fire risk than the inner room and should contain limited combustibles and ignition sources
• a smoke detector should be provided within the access room and be capable of providing a warning of fire to persons within the inner room
• the maximum travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exit from the access room should not exceed 15 m, unless there are alternative exits from the access room

Figure 7 - Inner room arrangement

Escape stairs

221. To protect escape routes from fire, the normal standard for escape stairs is for stairs to be enclosed within a fire resisting enclosure (creating a protected zone) such that the enclosing structure between the stair and the rest of the building has fire-resistance and any door in the enclosing structure is a self-closing fire door. This arrangement is shown in Figure 8. Each escape stair should have its own independent final exit.

Figure 8 - Protection of escape stairs

222. If the enclosure has an external wall that projects beyond the face of a building or is set back in a recess, the route may be vulnerable should fire break through an adjacent window, door or other opening. Radiated heat or flames from the fire may impede escaping occupants. Therefore an external wall of a building which makes an angle less than 135 o with the external wall of the enclosure might need to be fire-resisting.

223. The width of an escape stair should be at least the width of any escape route giving access to it. A check should be made that the width of an existing escape stair is suitable for the persons who would use it and the method of evacuation. The number and capacity of stairs serving a building needs to be sufficient for the number of persons to allow the occupants of all storeys to evacuate at the same time, other than where the escape stair has been designed to support phased evacuation.

224. Where part of a building has only one escape route by way of an escape stair, if access to the escape stair is by way of a protected lobby, this will provide an additional barrier to fire and may afford people additional time to escape. A protected lobby is where there are two self-closing fire doors between the adjoining accommodation and the stair. Access to any escape stair which serves a storey at a height of more than 18 m should be by way of a protected lobby.

225. Where an escape stair also serves a basement storey, a self-closing fire door at ground floor level separating the basement stair enclosure from the stair enclosure serving the rest of the building will provide improved protection to the means of escape from any fire that may start in the basement.

226. Ideally, an escape stair (including landings) and the floor of a protected lobby will be non-combustible. Where an existing escape stair is combustible, consider the potential for the stair to be directly affected by fire, such as a fire occurring in an under-stair cupboard, and the possibility of lining the underside of the stair with non-combustible material.

227. A small room, reception, cupboard or toilet may be sited within the enclosure of an escape stair if the fire risk is low and all other parts of the building served by the escape stair have at least one other escape route.

228. The evacuation speed of people with mobility disability can be slow and there may be a space within the protected stair so that they can wait temporarily until it is safe to use the stair – a space capable of accommodating a wheelchair and not less than 700 mm x 1200 mm. These spaces should not be used for storage. Modern buildings may have an emergency voice communication system in the temporary waiting space to assist the escape process and reduce the anxiety of occupants making use of the space.

External stairs

229. An external escape stair may present problems for persons evacuating a building because people can feel less confident using an unenclosed stair at a height. For this reason, an external escape stair may only be suitable where the topmost storey height is not more than 7.5 m; and the stair is used only by those who can safely use it. Appropriate weather protection may be necessary to enable the stair to be used in all weather conditions. The state of repair of external stairs exposed to the weather should be checked.

230. An external escape stair should lead directly to a safe area beyond the premises and should be non-combustible.

231. An external escape stair may be unusable if fire occurs in the building. External stairs with a rise more than 1.6 m, may need to be protected against fire from within the building with at least 30 minutes fire-resistance.

Escape across Flat Roofs

232. Where the occupants of premises can safely use it, an escape route may be across a flat roof, and be an alternative additional provision to another escape route.

233. The following criteria apply to an escape route across a flat roof:

• be clearly defined, illuminated and guarded with protective barriers not less than 1.1 m in height
• have a slip free surface
• have fire-resistance for a distance of 3 m on either side of the route
• have no unprotected openings from adjacent structures, within 2 m

Door Fastening

234. It is important that doors necessary for escape be easily openable while the premises are occupied. Where a door across an escape route has to be secured against entry, it should be fitted with a fastening which is readily operated without a key, from the side approached by people making their escape. Where a door is operated by a code, combination, card, biometric data or similar means, it should be capable of being manually overridden from the side approached by people making their escape.

235. Push pad devices (to BS EN 179) are suitable securing devices for outward opening final exit doors where occupants can be expected to be familiar with the devices. In other cases, panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar (to BS EN 1125), are suitable.

Electrically powered locks

236. Electrically powered locks can be operated by electromagnetic or electromechanical means.

237. Electrically powered locks should not be installed on any door which provides the only route of escape for persons, or which serves a room or storey with more than 60 persons, or a door on a fire-fighting shaft.

238. Electrically powered locks should return to the unlocked position:

• on operation of the fire warning system
• on loss of power
• on actuation of a manual door release unit positioned at the door on the side approached by people making their escape (where the door provides escape in either direction, a unit should be installed on both sides)

239. BS 7273: Part 4 provides detailed guidance on the electrical control arrangements for the fail-safe release of powered locks.

Automatic Opening Doors

240. Some internal doors may be linked to a motion sensor or other device so that the door opens automatically to facilitate movement of residents. Some devices can be triggered by smoke movement which may cause a fire door to open precisely at the time when it should be closed as a barrier to fire and smoke. These doors should be linked to the fire warning system so that the automatic opening function is disabled if the fire warning system is triggered (but still permitting the door to be manually opened). If the door is a fire door, the opening mechanism should not reduce the fire resistance of the door. When the automatic opening function is disabled following activation of the fire warning system, the fire door’s normal self-closing function should continue to operate.

241. Automatic opening doors should not be placed across exits unless they are designed in accordance with BS 7036 and are either:

• arranged to fail safely to outward opening from any position of opening; or
• are provided with a monitored fail-safe system for opening the door from any position in the event of mains supply failure and also in the event of failure of the opening sensing device; and open automatically from any position in the event of operation of the fire alarm in the fire alarm zone within which the door is situated.

Powered sliding doors

242. Powered sliding doors often open in response to a motion sensor. Such a door across an escape route, should be fail-safe and should open:

• on activation of a manual door release unit positioned at the door on the side approached by people making their escape (where the door provides escape in either direction, a unit should be installed on both sides).

243. BS 7273: Part 4 contains detailed guidance on the electrical control arrangements for fail-safe operation of powered sliding doors.

244. Escape routes should be provided with lighting to allow persons to safely use these routes in the event of a fire occurring or in the event of failure of the normal lighting power supply.

Escape route lighting

245. Premises should be provided with lighting in the escape routes to the extent necessary to ensure that in the event of an outbreak of fire, illumination is provided to assist in escape and to aid staff in implementing the emergency fire action plan.

246. If there are escape routes that are not permanently illuminated, such as external stairs, then a marked switch or some other means of switching on the lighting, such as a motion sensor, should be provided.

Emergency escape lighting

247. Emergency lighting is lighting designed to operate or remain in operation automatically in the event of a local or general power failure. The size and type of the premises and the risk to the occupants will determine whether there is a need for emergency escape lighting.

248. Emergency lighting can be stand-alone dedicated units or incorporated into normal light fittings. Power supplies can be rechargeable batteries integral to each unit or a central battery bank. Single ‘stand-alone’ emergency lighting units may be sufficient in some premises and these can sometimes be combined with exit or directional exit signs, though the level of general illumination should not be significantly reduced by the sign.

249. Emergency lighting is described as ‘maintained’ if it is permanently illuminated, and ‘non-maintained’ when it only operates if the normal lighting fails.

250. A system of automatic emergency lighting is likely to be needed in large premises, particularly in those with extensive occupied basements, or where there are significant numbers of people. If some escape routes are internal and without windows, then some form of emergency lighting may be required. Emergency lighting may be necessary in a room with more than 60 occupants and escape routes serving such a room and escape routes in public access buildings which have two storey exits.

251. An emergency lighting system provided for escape purposes may be used to illuminate the following:

• internal and external escape routes, exit doors and escape route signs
• intersections of corridors
• staircases so that each flight receives adequate light
• changes in floor level
• fire-fighting equipment
• fire alarm call points
• equipment that needs to be shut down in an emergency

252. New emergency lighting systems should comply with BS 5266: Part 1.

Signs and Notices

253. In small simple premises where the locations of escape routes and fire-fighting equipment are readily apparent then fire signs may not be necessary.

254. Escape route signs are used to indicate escape routes not in normal use and are only necessary where there might otherwise be confusion regarding the route to follow in the event of fire. The following criteria apply to escape route signs:

• they should provide enough information to enable people to identify escape routes
• where the location of an exit is not obvious, signs with directional arrows may be provided along the route
• escape route and exit signs should not be fixed to doors as they may not be visible if the door is open
• signs mounted above doors should be at a height of between 2 m and 2.5 m above the floor
• signs on walls should be mounted between 1.7 m and 2 m above the floor

255. The legibility of an escape sign is determined by the size of the sign, the level of illumination and the distance over which it is viewed. Signs should be in pictogram form. The pictogram can be supplemented by text and/or directional arrows if necessary to make the sign easily understood. Guidance on the use of escape route signs is available in BS 5499: Part 10.

256. Signs to indicate the location of non-automatic fire safety equipment may be necessary if there is any doubt about its location, such as fire extinguishers that are kept in cabinets or in recesses. Other signs may also be necessary such as:

• ‘Fire door keep shut’ or ‘Fire door keep locked shut’ on fire doors
• ‘Automatic fire door – keep clear’
• how to operate the securing devices on doors
• location of sprinkler stop valve

257. New safety signs should comply with BS EN ISO 7010.

258. Notices are used to provide instructions on how to use any fire safety equipment and the actions to take in the event of fire. Notices containing details of the emergency fire action plan specific to the premises should be permanently displayed in appropriate positions throughout the building. A distinction may be required between notices that are designed for visitors, guests or residents as opposed to those for staff. Notices giving full instruction for staff should also be displayed on staff notice boards. Notices for guests and residents should be provided in each bedroom and in common areas, where appropriate, and should include a simple layout plan of the floor level.

259. If premises regularly accommodate people whose first language is not English there may be a need to consider providing instruction in the most commonly used languages.

• Chris Booth

There is a problem

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.