Principal habitable room
The Scottish Building Standards refer to a principal habitable room in relation to the provision of fire detection and fire alarm systems.
They define a principal habitable room as ‘…a frequently used room by the occupants of a dwelling for general daytime living purposes.’
There is a requirement that at least 1 smoke alarm should be installed in a principal habitable room.
However, this requirement can be interpreted in different ways, as it is not clear whether there may be more than one principal habitable room (for example, a kitchen diner and a living room), and so a smoke alarm is required in both rooms, or whether the word ‘principal’ implies there is just one such room.
This issue was clarified in a communication between Fife Council and The Building Standards Division, published by the Scottish Association of Building Standards Managers (SABSM), as Technical Policy Note T04/2012, Detection and Fire Alarm Systems Principal Habitable Room, in 2012.
This made clear that the Building Standards only intend that there should be one principal habitable room. The following guidance was given to help determine which room this should be:
The interpretation of the word 'principal' in this context means the room likely to be the most frequently used and have most occupants using it. In other words risk assess the situation by identifying the living area that is most likely to have a fire (by identifying hazards such as sources of ignition that can give rise to fire) and the most severe consequences (re: potential for injuries and deaths) if there was a fire. In addition, where there is more than one living area; for the purpose of choosing which living area to locate the optical smoke alarm consider each living area's relationship to the route of escape from other rooms in the dwelling (e.g. bedrooms). In other words, consider locating the optical detector in the living area most likely to compromise the route of escape (in fire conditions). The object of the Standard being to ensure an early warning to both the occupants of the living area itself and occupants within other areas of the dwelling. |
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
New Great British Energy partnership launched
Crown estate help to turbocharge energy independence.
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.