Fire Risk Assessment · Guest Accommodation & Refurbishment · Edinburgh
Fire Risk Assessment During Refurbishment | Edinburgh Aparthotel
Assessing fire risk where guest accommodation remained occupied while part of the building was under construction.
Summary
Fire Check Scotland carried out a fresh assessment of a historic, multi-storey townhouse-style aparthotel. Guest accommodation remained occupied while several bedrooms and associated areas were under construction.
Existing assessment information was considered unreliable or inadequate for the current conditions. The new assessment therefore focused on the live interface between occupied sleeping accommodation, construction activity and the building's means of escape.
The Premises
- Historic multi-storey aparthotel in Edinburgh.
- Sleeping accommodation operating during phased refurbishment.
- Several bedrooms and associated areas under construction.
- Front entrance serving as the principal final exit.
Why This Project Was More Complex
Construction changes ignition sources, compartmentation and management controls. The immediate interface with occupied accommodation did not provide adequate separation, leading to a recommendation for suitable 60-minute fire-resisting construction.
The rear door led to an enclosed garden and was not treated as an alternative escape. The front final exit therefore required verification in every operational state so occupants could leave without a key, code or special knowledge.
Key Technical Themes
- Occupied and construction-area separation.
- Covered detectors whose connection and status were unverified.
- Fire stopping at service penetrations.
- Fire-door protection to service cupboards on the escape route.
- Final-exit operation in all operating states.
- Full-property electrical inspection evidence.
- Management of guests, contractors and temporary conditions.
Fire Check Scotland Approach
The assessment examined the building as it was being used that day rather than relying on earlier documentation or the intended finished arrangement.
A Substantial risk rating, score 12, reflected the combination of sleeping risk, ongoing work and weaknesses at the occupied/construction interface. Recommendations were prioritised without assuming that proposed remedial work had taken place.
Outcome
The operator received a current, evidence-led assessment identifying urgent separation, system verification, fire-stopping, fire-door, exit and electrical-information requirements.
No remediation, fire-authority approval or later compliance status is claimed.
Relevance to Similar Clients
Relevant to aparthotels, hotels and other occupied buildings undergoing phased refurbishment or conversion.