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Refer to BS 8214: 2016 Timber-based Fire Door Assemblies - Code of practice. This guidance documents states that gaps should be 2mm min to 4mm max for optimum fire resistance performance. You don't say whether these doors require smoke protection, in which case this type of seal may provide a solution. Unsealed contact of the door leaf with the rebate stop of the door frame is insufficient in terms of optimum fire performance and restricted smoke spread.

Consult a soliciter, but if thats the way they treat stff then your wall out of it

On the 20th of March, while performing routine maintenance, I was checking the hot water temperature of the boiler. To safely reduce the temperature, I left the hot water tap running. After about five minutes, the fire alarm went off. I immediately informed the office staff, who checked the fire panel and confirmed it was linked to the utility room. I suspected the steam might have triggered the alarm, so I went to the utility room, turned off the tap, and ventilated the area. Once the smoke detector was off, I returned to the panel to silence and reset it. Following this incident, the management conducted an investigation and determined it as gross misconduct, leading to my dismissal. I am seeking guidance on how to address this situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Domestic smoke alarms are not for use in a commercial premises. What does the fire risk assessment say?

I can't find an answer to this question in this thread. What is your opinion, Neil?

Hi friend of mine has a chip shop with apartment below which has its own exit and entrance on the side of the building, he is rewireing both shop and apartment what we need to check is the apartment has smoke alarms and heat detectors install installed coming after lighting circuit does that mean he can use the same domestic smoke alarms and heat detectors in the shop below which means top and bottom will interconnect or does he need a fire alarm system

Alternative escape route is traditionally an external steel stair - no shortcuts like throw out ladders, etc. You would be advised to consult a fire engineer as increasingly building inspectors will require deviation from the ADB recommendations to be contained in a strategy by a chartered fire engineer with fire safety design insurance.

That's up to the risk assessor - there are lots of factors at play before deciding whether to remediate or change evacuation policy (& thus install the required alarm systems for this). If the doors are the original fire doors and it's a small block they can be tolerated and worked with, riser cupboards can be firestopped, it's not always severe enough to require a full U-turn in the approach. Without seeing the block and the issues I can't be definitive - I have had small blocks that have been able to remain as stay put whilst new doors are fitted, others where a full evacuate system and alarms has been required.

Thanks Neil for the reply. I tried speaking to the manufacturer and they also claim that the perko powermatic closer can be installed low down in the door which is about 350-450mm from the bottom of the door with this hinge. I’m unable to get any information from the manufacturer as they are getting the product re assessed for the new standard.

Yes it can but you need to repair the door and frame, back to its factory state, before you install. Make sure the door leaf is solid core, not Tubeboard or panelled.

The door hardware needs to be compatible with the fire door leaf but not always necessarilly fire rated. Check the available evidence of fire performance for the door leaf for the hardware specification.

If you require an FD30 door there's no problem using a 54mm thick (potentialy FD60) door leaf. If single leaf door, the seals should usually be central. Can't say more without seeing the door in the flesh.

Hi.and thanks for that info Neil. While looking at this issue, the customer has raised another question relating to existing f.doors . Do all locks,latches,handle sets have to be fire rated? Or just on certain rated doors? Thanks again..T

Has anyone come across a intastop hinge? It’s a continuous hinge that has been tested to BS 476-20/22 but just wanted to know if it can be used on a door that’s had normal ball bearing hinges installed?

We have a couple of door sets in our building that I think are not compliant but would like to know if they can repaired. The first doorset had the door opening into the room but got turned around to open outwards. The frame now has an intumescent/smoke seal on the frame with the brush removed and painted over and the seals has now been put in the door. Should this be left or removed?. What is a repair technique for this? The second doorset it looks as though someone has planed it slightly. Would this cause an issue with the frame ? Thank you in advance.

Hi we have had a FD60 installed in a softwood frame. The frame also has a side panel. The drawing states the door should be an FD30S. If the door is rated higher is this an issue? Also the fire seals cut on the frame are not central it looks like someone has cut them to upgrade to be fire rated. Would a new door set be required?

If the existing glazed door in question is suitable to be used as a fire resisting door, then the existing non-FR glass could most likely be replaced with a fire rated glazing system. But be sure to use, or at least consult, a competent specialist in regard to this work to ensure compliance.

First image: The smoke seal to the door bottom edge should extend as far as the full width of the door leaf. Ideally the vertical smoke seal would be fitted to the door frame (rather than the door leaf) and therefore would seal the gap you have highlighted. Mastic is unsuitable. Second image: That gap should be 4mm max in accordance with BS 8214: 2016 and the smoke seal fitted to the vertical edge of the door leaf or door frame should seal that gap when the door is closed. Mastic is unsuitable

If a purpose built block of flats does not have adequate compartmentation ie no FD30 flat doors / communal doors and has holes gaps within the riser cupboards what Fire policy / action notice should be implemented/ displayed? Is a stay put policy still advisable?

Hi Neil, I have taken a clear picture of the door, I am concerned of adding fire mastic between the door side (jamb) and the start of the drop down seal/fire excluder, I am not sure if fire mastic is suitable there? the gap is 5mm. Thank you, Steph

According to Health Technical Memorandum 05-02: Firecode Guidance in support of functional provisions (Fire safety in the design of healthcare premises): Door closers Generally all fire doors should be fitted with an automatic self-closing device complying with BS EN 1154 or BS EN 1634-1, with the following exceptions: • fire doors to patients’ bedrooms in facilities providing in-patient mental health services; • fire doors to bedrooms in in-patient accommodation for people with learning disabilities; and • fire doors which are kept locked shut

Approved Document B to the Building Regulations only requires them as follows: Vision panels are needed where doors on escape routes sub-divide corridors, or where any doors are hung to swing both ways. Note also the provision in Approved Document M Access to and Use of buildings, concerning vision panels in doors across accessible corridors.

Hi all, Could I please ask for your opinion / any helpful suggestions you might be able to share? I am starting a loft conversion project (in my single family Victorian house) which will surpass the 7.5m single resi dwelling height mark when it comes to the new Dec'22 fire safety regulations. I am reaching out to a few building control / fire safety advisors/engineer teams now to see if anyone has already had experience with similar projects and advised on alternatives to full sprinkler systems (ie. via protected staircase, smoke and heat fire alarms in all rooms, emergency lighting on every floor landing and via an alternative exit route on the >7.5m loft floor). More specifically, I've went through the Approved Document B and would like to explore the 2.6.a.i-ii option to >7.5m height, focussing on "alternative escape route" rather than Document B1 - 2.6.b route, focussing on sprinkler systems in accordance with BS 9251 as an alternative. Has anyone had any experience with this or would you know a good fire safety advisor / building control officer who is recommended and can advise? Thank you, best, RB

Hi folks, I wondered if anyone was able to help with an internal fire door issue. Building Control have asked that i put an internal fire door on the Bathroom. The door frame is wonky as it's an old house. is it possible to buy custom doors like our requirements below? i doesn't seem like i can cutdown a standard fire door ( having read previous comments). Or am i going to have to get a builder in to resize the door frame, to get a standard door to fit? Help gratefully received. Our door frame is 711mm. At the top 749mm at the bottom And height 1925mm

Hi, Are door closers required in rooms in a mental health hospital or is this something a fire risk assessment should specify?