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BS 7671 - Regulation 422.2

Rob McConnell
I have a small problem that I would like to have some clarification on.
In principle  Regulation 422.2 requires that:
Cables or other electrical equipment shall not be installed in a protected escape route unless part of:
(i) an essential fire safety or related safety system
(ii) general needs lighting
(iii) socket-outlets provided for cleaning or maintenance.
I am currently designing an all electric building that consists of four storeys and has four escape stairs. one at each corner. The escape stairs are linked by corridors which form part of the designated escape routes.
The mechanical designer wants to heat the corridors and stairwells with electric panel heaters, but I have said this will not comply with Regulation 422.2, however the mechanical designer has said that heating has to be installed in these areas in order to comply with the Building Regulations.
I have spoken to other engineers and an NICEIC Inspector regarding this issue and we cannot come up with a definitive answer, and would value your opinion if possible
  • 0

    The first question for the designer is to check if the "designated escape routes" are actually "protected escape routes".

  • 0

    There was some discussion earlier about "protected" escape routes - with some suggesting that they're they kind that are all bare concrete & steel types of area - and your normal carpeted corridor that also functions as an (ordinary) escape route is something different.

    Even if your routes are protected escape routes, I guess the requirements could be satisfied by some other kind of heating - e.g. radiators - even if the heat source is an electric boiler located elsewhere.

       - Andy.

  • 0

    Protected escape routes can be carpeted and often are. Generally, corridors serving hotel bedrooms will be required to be protected and they are often fitted with plush carpets. 
    You don’t say what your stairs are serving but I suspect at 4 storeys they will be protected stairs. As Simon has indicated, it would be prudent to consult the BC plans, fire risk assessor, architect or like to establish requirements. 
    I am not sure what the intention is with respect to this group of regulations. I understand it had more to do with minimising fire load rather than concerns about ignition sources. If you don’t have the former, the latter is irrelevant. So providing the cabling is properly protected, I can’t see the problem from a fire safety perspective albeit not meeting the wording of the regs.


  • 0

    This all reminds me of a problem 30-odd years ago in which a pair of fire doors were not allowed to open into an escape route. Rolling eyes

  • 0

    I would also like further guidance on this subject due to the type of work we are regularly involved with.  I did find this article which seems to help define what a "protected escape route" is.

    https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/keep-out

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