MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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We are building a care home of sorts, the apartments will be privately owned so could be considered residential and not commercial or non residential. The regs (bs5266) seem to apply to non residential premises only.
we will provide emergency lighting throughout the shared landlord areas but its the individual apartments that are in question as these do not in my opinion require emergency lighting as they could be considered domestic? Any one with a definitive on this??
very much doubt you'll get the right answer off here.
best to talk to the building regs officer and/or local fire officer who may be the ones who ultimately sign it off anyway.
your operational/management strategy may have a bearing on the outcome too.
I reckon DenDennis is on the money and I suspect that your design team would need to assess the occupancy type and ability to escape before you are given a proper answer.
I'd use elements of guidance from these two as a baseline for an assessment and then call in your local brigade and Building Control to authorise your proposal:
http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/publications/-/journal_content/56/10180/3369777/PUBLICATION
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-residential-care-premises
Building Regs approved Document B (ADB) gives requirements of where emergency ligthing is needed, then refers to BS5266 for the installation requirements.
You'll find ADB free online if you need to take a look...
What you're proposing sounds more like a HMO to be honest but I'm no expert!