We have another residential FRA query - in particular, travel distances / compensatory features in a block of retirement flats which has onsite manager.
Firstly, I am assuming that the correct guidance is NFCC for specialised housing and BS991/ADB? The managers state that the building is 'independent living with support provided where needed' - so to us, this falls under the definition of specialised housing...?
The building in question was originally built 1980's. Ground and first floors only.
Stay put policy. Corridors protected with FD30s doors and L1 alarm.
The queries have arisen where:
- Corridors on upper floor levels where 2x stairs are accessible exceed 12m (some 20m) with no cross passage smoke resisting doors;
Dead end corridors where access is only to 1x protected stairway are measured with travel distances of 15m between the flat entrance door and the protected stairway (we think guidance is only 7.5m as per ADB Vol 1?)[img]
And should all corridors (without smoke vents / extraction) longer than 12m have cross passage smoke doors?
Fully appreciate that this is just basic information so our queries are generic to try and understand what we should expect to find in such buildings where travel distances beyond those recommended in guidance are found? Our thinking is that the corridors should be sub-divided and have smoke vents / extraction to overcome extended travel distances?! But we are not assessors and appreciate that this is modern guidance perhaps?!