Hi, can anyone help me please?
An office block (ground, first and second floors). Built 1990's. Standard construction.
Building has a single stairway - only means of escape for occupants on first and second floor levels.
New boiler system recently installed; but contractors have positioned copper gas pipe in the stairway and have not enclosed it in FR materials.
ADB (paragraphs 8.40 and 2.42) seem to say pipe carrying natural gas or LPG should not be incorporated within a protected stairway unless it meets certain criteria of gas reg's.
From a Fire Risk Assessment perspective, what are people's thoughts on this?? Image of the said pipe attached to show what I am waffling on about! Any thoughts much appreciated.
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Gas pipe in single stairway
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Paul1979
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Gas pipe in single stairway
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"If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor." 
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Paul1979
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Re: Gas pipe in single stairway
Sorry - I should have stated that I was referred to article 4.40 of ADB and not 2.42 which is for flats! 
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Messy
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Re: Gas pipe in single stairway
I wouldn't be too concerned about boxing it in. But I would have a problem with:
*It being soldered copper pipe (steel preferred)
* installed with no protection against physical damage.
*Is there adequate ventilation and smoke detection?
Boxing it in with FR material contains any leak to perhaps explosive limits more quickly and venting the boxing in makes it non FR!
I am not at home tonight so I can't look it up. But the steel pipes are recommended for dwellings. Ok they have sleeping risks, but the staircase of an average dwelling wouldn't get as much traffic and stick as your office, so off the top of my head, that's what I would consider
*It being soldered copper pipe (steel preferred)
* installed with no protection against physical damage.
*Is there adequate ventilation and smoke detection?
Boxing it in with FR material contains any leak to perhaps explosive limits more quickly and venting the boxing in makes it non FR!
I am not at home tonight so I can't look it up. But the steel pipes are recommended for dwellings. Ok they have sleeping risks, but the staircase of an average dwelling wouldn't get as much traffic and stick as your office, so off the top of my head, that's what I would consider
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Paul1979
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- Location: London
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Re: Gas pipe in single stairway
Okay, that's great - thank you Messy.
"If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor."
