Fire Code 2
Corridors and Escape Routes –
Their Use, and Protection
Health & Safety Services
FPS/FC#2
Revision 1
(Ratified at Health & Safety Committee 21 May 2013)
Table of Contents
Fire Code 2............................................................................................................ ①
‘Corridors and Escape Routes – Their Use, and Protection .................................. ①
Table of Contents .................................................................................................. ②
Corridor Linings ..................................................................................................... ③
1.
PURPOSE................................................................................................ ③
2.
Residential Buildings ................................................................................ ④
3.
Furniture ................................................................................................... ④
4.
Pigeon Holes and Lockers ....................................................................... ④
5.
Coat Hooks .............................................................................................. ⑤
6.
Bookcases and Filing Cabinets ................................................................ ⑤
7.
Display Materials and Decorations ........................................................... ⑤
8.
Notice Boards ........................................................................................... ⑤
9.
Temporary Signs and Notices .................................................................. ⑤
10.
Corridor Seating Areas ............................................................................. ⑥
11.
Electrical Equipment................................................................................. ⑥
12.
Fire Doors ................................................................................................ ⑥
Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, <21 May 2013>
②
Corridor Linings
1. PURPOSE
In order to safeguard corridors and exit routes that may be used for evacuation
purposes it is essential that they remain free from any potential fuel or ignition
source or other items that could hinder the evacuation procedure. This code of
practice will assist in that process.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (referred to as ‘the Fire Safety
Order’) requires that escape routes and corridors are kept free from obstructions
and they are able to be used safely at all material times. To achieve this it is
essential we have certain rules and guidance to ensure compliance.
In addition to fire safety legislation the fact that we must maintain safe corridors
and exit routes is also recognised within legislation and guidance documents. A fire
in a corridor or staircase could have devastating consequences with people
becoming trapped within their offices, work or study areas.
This code shall apply to all University buildings, owned, leased or managed.
Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, <21 May 2013>
③
2. Residential Buildings
Residential buildings are classed as high risk due to people sleeping; no items of
furniture, equipment or personal belongings (e.g. bicycles etc.) can be positioned
or stored within any corridor or stairwell, not even on a temporary basis. These
areas must be kept clear at all times.
3. Furniture
Furniture must not be placed in corridors where this reduces the available width.
Where furniture is placed within corridors it should be restricted to only one side
and should ideally be constructed of a low risk material e.g. metal or solid wood.
Plastic seating should be avoided. Where soft furnishings are used, it must
conform to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as
amended 1989, 1993 and 2010).
Unwanted furniture must not be discarded into corridors, staircases or lift lobbies,
not even temporarily whilst awaiting collection for disposal. The Estates and
Facilities ancillary services should be contacted for disposal.
4. Pigeon Holes and Lockers
It has been common practice in the past to have wooden pigeon holes for student
work submissions, correspondence and staff mail etc. this practice is not
encouraged but where appropriate can be continued, however only metal units
should be used, it is also a requirement that the top of the unit/pigeon hole has a
sloping top so as to prevent it from being used for storage.
It is also noted that lockers have been placed within a number of corridors,
particularly outside laboratories, numbers of these need to be restricted and their
positioning must be appropriate. They must also be constructed of metal with a
sloping top.
The contents of lockers must be restricted, and should be limited to outdoor
clothing, books, papers etc. and personal effects e.g. handbags. No flammable
substances should be stored within, not even on a temporary basis, prohibited
substances for storage in lockers in corridors include; Chemicals, Samples,
Biological Agents or other such materials, compressed gas high risk liquids and
gasses, flammable or highly flammable materials. All lockers must be locked when
in use.
The Fire Safety Officer must be consulted prior to the placing of both lockers and
pigeon holes. Locations must be appropriate, by this they should only be placed
where there is adjacent detection, they must not be placed within lift lobbies or
staircases (not even temporarily). They should not be placed in areas where there
is only one means of escape e.g. a ‘dead end’ corridor serving two or three offices.
Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, <21 May 2013>
④
5. Coat Hooks
Coat hooks must not be placed in any corridor used as a means of escape.
6. Bookcases and Filing Cabinets
Bookcases and Filing Cabinets must not be stored or located within any escape
route or protected corridor. Corridors are circulation areas and not office
extensions.
7. Display Materials and Decorations
Displays are usually positioned within entrance lobbies and atria etc. they usually
incorporate paper, plastics and cardboard, all of which will assist in developing a
rapid fire. To reduce risks the following must be considered;

Minimise the display size and try to position them so they will not obstruct
exits,

Treat display material with a flame retardant spray where appropriate,

Utilise display cabinets if possible,

Keep displays away from the vicinity of any heat source including light
fittings and heaters/radiators,

Ensure there are no ignition sources in the area,
Permanent and semi-permanent displays including the displaying of artwork
associated with student assignments, exhibitions etc. require separate
consideration, and for these instances the University Fire Safety Officer should be
consulted.
8. Notice Boards
Notice boards within rooms may be up to 3 metres in length, if more than one is
required within the same location there should be a 1 metre gap separating them.
In corridors and escape routes however they should conform to class 0 (zero); this
means that the notice board must be glazed or polycarbonate used, the frame
must be aluminium or hardwood and the door/cover must be lockable. The core of
the notice board must also meet class 0 standards.
9. Temporary Signs and Notices
Temporary signs used internally within buildings offering directions to rooms or
conferences etc. must not be placed on walls, pillars, windows or doors. Flame
Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, <21 May 2013>
⑤
retardant polycarbonate display holders have been installed within lift lobbies for
this purpose. Where there are shortfalls identified a request should be made to
Estates and Facilities for additional holders.
Event organisers must ensure they include building floor plans etc. with any joining
instructions to alleviate the necessity of plastering walls and doors with directional
signage.
Any temporary notice found on a fire door, within a protected route or an escape
route will be removed.
10.
Corridor Seating Areas
In some buildings the corridor is of such a width that some have been utilised as a
seating/rest area or Student write up area. As these areas still form part of the
escape route a number of precautions must be adopted:

The amount of furniture must be restricted, guidance should be sought from
the Fire Safety Officer, paragraph 3 relating to Furniture must be observed.

Seating areas must not be positioned in corridors where escape is only
possible in one direction; this would have the effect of blocking off the
corridor.

Inner-inner rooms must not be created (i.e. to get to an office you must not
have to pass through two rooms to get to it),

Corridors and access lobbies must not become ‘rooms’,
11.
Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment including photocopiers, printers must not be installed on
escape routes, in protected corridors, lift lobbies or staircases.
Vending machines must not be installed on any escape route, lift lobby or within
staircase enclosures.
Unwanted electrical equipment must not be discarded into corridors, staircases or
lift lobbies, not even temporarily whilst awaiting collection for disposal. The Estates
and Facilities ancillary services should be contacted for disposal, equipment must
remain in offices etc. until collected.
12.
Fire Doors
Fire doors are part of the buildings passive fire protection, they are not notice
boards. Any posters, directional signage or notices etc. that are displayed on a fire
door will be removed and disposed of.
Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, <21 May 2013>
⑥