Fire Safety for Loft Conversions

It is law that your loft conversion should be separated from the rest of your house with a fire resisting structure. To ensure this is done, separation measures should take place in order to prevent fire and smoke in the stairway from entering your loft conversion. Below are some integral steps that need to be taken:

Smoke Alarms

• Loft conversion smoke alarms must always be mains wired to minimise the issue of dead batteries
• One alarm should be fitted in every storey of the property
• All smoke alarms must be interlinked, if one detects smoke, they will all make a noise
• All must be fitted within circulation spaces such as hallways and landings
• Must be placed well away from radiators and cooking areas
• Must be more than 30cm away from your nearest light fitting

Escape Routes

It has been stipulated by the BR that there has to be a protected escape route from the loft to the ground floor. This corridor must have ‘passive fire protection’ to ensure fire safety. It sounds more difficult than it actually is – as the staircase is built from your front door to the hallway, the walls already should be built for fire protection. This will help with your protected fire escape route.

Loft Stairs

Your loft conversion must be built with at least 30cm of fire resistance in place in order to protect any residents if a fire should happen. There must also be a fire door fitted in your loft stairway so there is easier access to escape if needs be. If your new staircase runs directly above the existing staircase, then a fire door needs to be positioned at the top of it within a small landing.
Remember to always stick to fire safety rules and don’t skip any guidelines when it comes to fire safety and loft conversions.