Question:
Some flats in UK are on the first floor or higher accessible only through narrow stairs. The flats and stairs in UK being almost entirely wooden people living in such flats need a secure get away in case of fire. Does the legal authority setting rules on fire safety require that such flats have fire- fighting equipments and/or window throwable ladders for inhabitants to escape in case the stairs caught fire? I believe in US such flats are required these equipments.

Answer: To the best of my knowledge there isn't any legislation covering these actual fittings, a recent discussion indicates that emergency ladders would not be entertained. local councils are responsible for licencing HMO's, they may have local requirements based on the type of building within their area. Each property is inspected and licenced in isolation. whilst those items may seem important, it is more important to ensure that occupants know of the fire at the earliest opportunity allowing them to take evactuation action, so the emphasis would be on smoke detection and alarms IMO the absolute min would be a detector/alarm fitted on each floor landing, but that can lead to hearing problems as a fire rated door, or an old solid wood door can absorb up to 30dB from the emitted sound level, so the equipment fitted should have a sounder fitted inside each private space (usually over the door) it may be required that a small extinguisher and/or fire blanket be provided for a common kitchin, but again this could be a local requirement dependent on the particular property