The following provisions apply to dwelling houses where there are more than one storey at a height of more than 4.5 m (see Diagram 3(d) and Appendix C, Diagram C4). This type of dwelling house will typically have four or more storeys above ground level:

(a) a habitable room should not be an inner room unless it has a floor level not more than 4.5 m above ground level and

(i) it is provided with a door or window for escape or rescue which complies with the provisions of par. 1.3.7;

(b) all upper floors should be served by a stairway which should;

(i) be a protected stairway (see 1.3.8);

(ii) connect the ground and all upper storeys; and

(iii) either deliver directly to a final exit (see Diagram 2(a)) or give access to not less than two independent escape routes delivering to alternative final exits (see Diagram 2(b));

(a) an alternative escape route by way of an escape stairway should be provided from each storey which has a floor 7.5 m or more above the ground or access level. Where the access to the alternative escape route is by way of the protected stairway, the protected stairway at or about 7.5 m above ground or access level should be separated from the lower storeys or levels by fire resisting construction;(see Diagram 4)

(b) the provisions regarding escape or rescue in par. 1.3.7 should be complied with for all floors below 7.5 m;

(c) automatic smoke detection and alarms should be provided in accordance with par.1.3.6; and

(d) the general provisions for dwelling houses, outlined in par.1.3.9 should be met.

(e) Where a dwelling house is constructed using timber frame construction, an automatic sprinkler system should be installed in accordance with BS 9251: 2014: Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies – Code of practice.

1.3.4 Dwelling Houses with more than one floor more than 4.5 m above ground level (Purpose Group 1(b))

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