To light or not to light a communal entrance?

I suspect for the FRA the signage is in place too?
Regardless the best way I think to review is worst possible scenario.
Fire starts and fire officers attend etc They will then come down on you for breaches.
If it was me I would for peace of kind install a small LED unit in the passage to protect yourself.
As communal in addition consider (not necessary) inter linked smoke detectors for early detection etc.
The FRA will need to consider escape route if fire in communal passage?
We had to install FD30 doors recently to similar and put up EL’s and update signage.

Surely the safety of the tenants should be at the forefront of your thinking here not who us right or wrong! What you consider adequate lighting and what is deemed adequate by others is inconsequential. To my mind any communal area should have lighting. Don’t leave yourself exposed to any possible claims on health and safety grounds or accidents.

I have just received a damages claim from a firm of solicitors on behalf of a taxi driver who fell down the stairs of a flat claiming it was badly lit. Fortunately for me it is not my property and was sent to me in error, but it has made me check the insurance on all my own properties. In your case I’d be concerned that acting against documented advice might go against me in the event of such a claim. We live in an increasingly litigious world.

You can possibly swap whatever existing switched supply to a self charging LED light with automatic built in PIR and battery back up to switch the light on whenever anyone passes within reach or there is a power failure.

As pointed out above it is not just about fire risk but tripping etc.

All my communal hallways have the same. Each light overlaps so there is always sufficient light if one unit should fail.

“borrowed light”?

To CYA I’d consider no moon and a widespread power cut. Oh, and perhaps a bit of smoke.

Worst case scenario……

So you need to fit a couple of dome emergency fittings in the hallway and landing with PIR sensors.
Some units now offer ” Dim lighting ” which increase in brightness when the PIR sensor detects movement.
Green light on 24/7 with battery backup.
We know it’s blinding obvious but Emergency Exit signs on exit doors with turnlocks on exit doors

Many thanks for everyone’s comments. Health and Safety is, of course of paramount importance and I have always followed all the relevant Guidance.
It seems the Guidance does not hold any weight in this case as the Fire Risk Assessor wants all the bells and whistles which the Guidance determines are only required for more complex situations. If I oppose him its at my peril.
The cost of installation and the ongoing cost of testing and maintenance will then fall indirectly on the tenants.

Reply to the comment left by JB at 24/08/2023 – 15:45
Mad world and it’s getting ever more complex!