Please can I ask for your opinion on a property which is a 2 storey flat which sits above a commercial unit (shop)?
High street property is built in 1800's. Standard construction (Brick, timber floors, etc). Plasterboard ceiling separates shop and flat above. Alarm in shop is also linked to sounder in flat. The flat is found on first and second floor levels. There is one doorway to access the flat.
The entrance to the flat is found to the rear of the property and is accessible via a steel external stairway and small flat roof area. The door at first floor also serves as the only external door opening to fresh air. BUT, it also opens directly in to the kitchen!
So, tenants (a young family with autistic child) are understandably worried they have to pass through the kitchen to escape. 
We are prepared to tell the landlord we need to reconfigure the flat to avoid occupants having to go through the kitchen, but looking at all options, would you commonly accept an escape window on the first floor level on the first floor as long as it meets the standard requirements of size (450mm x 450mm) and is no more than 4.5m from ground level? The second floor is the mum and dads bedroom and they can travel down to the first floor to access the escape window which is in the living room / lounge and drops down to the high street pavement level.
In addition to the escape window, we are looking at fitting FD30s door-set to kitchen and increase alarm coverage to LD2 category.
But would under any circumstances you accept a kitchen as an access room to the exit?? Suppression system maybe??
Any steer / advice always appreciated and comments taken on board.
