3 storey open plan

[Morninglory]

Hi,

I'm looking to fully open up the ground floor of a small, three storey terrace, but need help with satisfying fire regs.
Do I need to block off the stairs at first floor level, and install some sort of suppression system i.e. sprinklers on the ground floor?
Do the stairs have to be fully enclosed with 60 min fire doors on both floors?
Are sprinkler systems likely to need a tank or is mains pressure usually adequate?
Would the kitchen need external extraction?
Anything else that might be an issue or are there other solutions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[^woody^]

You need a protected route from all floors to outside.

I don't think your proposal would be suitable.

Fire suppression systems can be mains or cylinder fed, it depends on the design and risk.

 

[tony1851]

Fire Regs are often 'open to interpretation', and much is down to how the inspector sees your risk factors.

Generally, you need a protected escape route to ground level with 30 minute fire doors (not 60 mins) to all habitable rooms opening on to the stairs - though they don't need self-closers.

Some inspectors allow you to keep the existing doors as long as you have interlinked alarms/detectors in all rooms plus the stairwell.

You may be required to install a mist suppression system at ground floor level if you want open plan. There are specialist firms with their own systems, so try Google.

 

[Morninglory]

This is really useful, thanks. Inspectors do seem to have a lot of discretion from what I've heard. From what else I've read, it does sound achievable with a mist system, fire doors on 1st floor and interlinked fire alarms. Has anyone any experience of what difference it might make if the property is attached rather than detached? Separated by 9 inch brick wall right up to the ridge.