Plan your escape – fire exits & loft conversions

When things heat up and it simply gets too hot…  take the emergency exit. You don’t have an emergency exit you say? Well, maybe it’s about time you got one. According to a national survey and an analysis on fires, casualties and faulty fire alarms in the UK, there seems to be a serious lull in people’s fire safety awareness. This is unacceptable and potentially the worst kind of negligence on the part of homeowners as it involves life and death.

In today’s Modern Attics blog we wish to explore some the results of this surface and then put into action ways of combating such issues.

Did you know?

Smoking materials (predominantly cigarettes) are the primary source of ignition.

Over 51% of accidental fires in the home are caused by cooking or faulty equipment such as electrical appliances.

37% of homes that burnt down between 2010-2011 had an absence of smoke detectors or any early warning fire alarm system.

25% of fatalities in home fires were not-prevented because the smoke alarms that did not operate and did not function due to neglect.

So what can you do to avoid becoming a statistic on that list?

Fire safety is a crucial part of building regulations which you may be familiar with from our previous blogs. There are strict rules on fire alarms within a property. For instance, there needs to be a fire alarm/smoke detector installed on every floor/storey of the building. They all need to be equipped with a back-up battery and placed within three meters of the bedroom.

The loft conversions process involves much planning and preparation therefore fire safety concerns WILL be addressed and solutions found.

Building regulations stipulate that protected escape routes must exist with a loft conversion and provide adequate protection and ease-of-access. The existing doors along the escape route throughout the house will be replaced with fire doors.

The loft conversion itself will be built and constructed to withstand fire for thirty minutes therefore the fitting of a fire door is required to bridge to the loft stairway. Alternatively, depending of the proximity of the loft stairs to the loft door, a door may be installed and positioned at the bottom of the stairs instead.

Escape windows are not a stipulation of law but they are recommended. Loft conversions come with various options and they provide a selection of escape window options that allow access to the roof or an emergency escape outside.

The importance of fire safety is too important to not consider and act upon. Even when the last embers are left burning, put your life before your home and your material possessions by ensuring you have escape routes that are readily accessible and the right construction materials to shield you from the spread of fire.

To discuss this in more detail please Contact Us.


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