Pressure differential system. Can you make variations to minimum standards eg travel distances, when a PDS is installed, do you also need a sprinkler system. If anyone has any information regarding this I would greatly appriciate any help.
Sarah O'Sullivan
Have a look at the Lawrence Webster Forrest Professional Bulletin for Feb 09. They are fire engineering and risk management consultants - their internal technical papers are on their website (www.lwf.co.uk).
The paper makes certain points which relate to your question regarding how aspects of the building design or fire detection/extinguishing systems inter-relate and can be varied to achieve a required target for means of escape, risk profile etc.
There are lots of similar papers out there. You need a good google session and a university library that stocks or can get you the relevant technical journals.
A case study for you - from 20 years ago, long before this sort of thing was commonplace - the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings' offices at 37 Spital Square, London. Article in the AJ 1991. Ref as follows: Parnell, A. & Wilson, C., 1991 A Building of Quality: New Fire Precautions, Architects Journal, Vol. 194, No. 11, pp 57-60.