Facilities
- Mini-storage & Lockers
Coworking spaces may provide storage facilities for users. These storage options can be convenient for individuals who need a secure place to keep their belongings while utilising the shared workspace. However, such amenities are subject to regulation and laws.
What are mini-storages?
Mini-storage refers to premises providing separate self storage cubicles to individuals. It is for the coworking space users to store their household goods or archived records.
Fire Safety Code
Mini-storage facilities within coworking spaces must adhere to the fire safety requirements stated in the FS Code. (Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011) Common violations include long travel distances in exit routes, narrow aisles obstructed by swing-out cubicle doors, blocked exit routes due to improper locking devices, and inadequate fire-rated doors being replaced.
Minimum Dimensions
The aisles between the storage cubicles form part of the exit route and their clear width should not be less than that required under Table B2 of the FS Code (i.e. at least 1050mm wide, excluding the swing path of any doors. Having regard to the mode of operation of mini-storages and the fire risk, the following arrangements are considered acceptable:
1. For storage cubicles with usable floor area of not more than 5 metre square and self-closing cubicle doors, the minimum clear width between the swing path of the cubicle doors and the walls or swing path of the doors on the opposite side of the aisle is 750mm.
2. For storage cubicles with usable floor area of not greater than 1.5 metre square and self-closing cubicle doors that can be opened flat against adjoining walls/cubicles and do not obstruct the swing path of the doors on the opposite side of the aisle, the door swing can be disregarded in measuring the clear width of the aisle.
Maximum Travel Distance
The general requirements for mini-storages are:
- The maximum dead-end travel distance between the furthest point on the premises to a point where an alternative exit is available is 18m.
- The maximum travel distance to the nearest protected exit (including deadend travel distance) is 36m.
The maximum length of the exit route between an escape staircase and any one of the other escape staircases is 48m.
Dealing Irregularities
The Fire Services Department (FSD), Buildings Department (BD), Lands Department and related departments have been striving to collaborate and take enforcement actions under current legislation against the irregularities, requiring mini-storage premises (MSP) operators to eliminate potential safety hazards as quickly as possible.
If irregularities on the fire safety construction (e.g. provision of means of escape, fire-resisting construction, means of access for firefighting and rescue) are identified, BD will issue statutory orders under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) to owners of target MSPs requiring them to carry out rectification works.
BD will also register these orders at the Land Registry, imposing an encumbrance on the register. Members of the public may search the registers online to learn about the irreguarities
To enhance transparency of enforcement actions, BD has also compiled a “List of Target MSP without Obvious Irregularities“.The List will be updated on the 1st Wednesday of each month. It is advised that the operator have a look on that often.
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Disclaimer: Nothing in this website is intended to be nor should be construed as legal advice. This is an educational project created by students. Please consult your lawyer for legal advice.