Tom Sutton

BS EN 1935:2002 Building hardware. Single-axis hinges. Requirements and test methods, appendix E deals with hinges used on fire doors with self closers, which state self closer increase the loading on hinges therefore three hinges should be fitted. Because now, front fire doors of flats are fitted with self closers, which has not always been the case, they should be fitted with three hinges. In the 1960,s access to flats was by means of open walkways and local councils used a concept of fire safety called smoke dispersion. Later on, access was enclosed but they kept the smoke dispersal concept and did research to keep escape routes clear of smoke logging and provided 1 sq m of natural ventilation in each corridor allowing all front doors to be ajar, so front doors were not fitted with self closers, consequently two hinges were allowed. In 2005 the fire service became the enforcing authority and the guidance became a hybrid of smoke dispersal and containment which resulted in front doors requiring self closers which now required tree hinges. However it is all about risk assessment and there is no hard and fast rules.

For fire exits, the width is the most important factor, and this is determined by the number of people who are likely to be using a particular exit. Current Building Regulations (Fire Safety, Approved Document B, 2010) specify a minimum width of 750mm for a final exit door, to accommodate a maximum of 60 people. As a matter of interest, the minimum standard dimensions for a fire escape window (as opposed to a door) are 660mm by 1180mm. If it is subject to the building regulations then Approved Document B Vol 2 Building other than dwelling houses then check out page 37. It states for 60 or less persons, 750mm width, normal door height, with some provisos. However in an existing premises risk assessment applies and it depends on the number of persons, the speed of exit required, the agility of those involved and a full assessment of the risk. For instance if it is for a couple of service engineers working in a plant room it could be acceptable but for an office full of office workers not acceptable. It is up to the Responsible Person's FRA.

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Who is responsible for maintaining the alarms? In basic terms, landlords must ensure that alarms are provided and working, but routine maintenance and testing then falls to the occupants of the property. Should the alarms develop a fault or expire during a tenancy it remains the responsibility of a landlord to replace them. The legislation states that a landlord must make certain that: "checks are made by or on behalf of the landlord to ensure that each prescribed alarm is in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins if it is a new tenancy" Once the alarms have been established as working, whether a new tenancy or a tenancy overlapping the introduction of the legislation, many landlords ask tenants to sign a document confirming that alarms have been tested in their presence. This can also be used to clarify for the benefit of the tenants that the duty of maintenance falls to them from that point forwards. Check out https://www.safelincs.co.uk/landlord-smoke-and-co-alarm-regulations-2015/

I cannot give a definitive reply with out a lot more information, but from what you say I would think he could have worsened the means of escape which would be classed as a material alteration and therefore require build regulation approval. Contact local building control with your concerns. Check out Approved Document B (fire Safety) volume 2: Premises other than Dwelling Houses.

This could have been a matter of interpretation, I would think all door manufacturers have their fire doors tested to BS 476 part 22 and part 31, so if you you fit cold smoke seals, to manufacturer's instructions, it is a FD30s fire door, without they are FD30 door, but it is up the FRA weather you use FD30 or FD30s doors.

No it is not this is a general fire notice for immediate evacuation, check out https://www.safetyplus.co.uk/ProductGrp/1438-fire-action-notice-stay-put-for-flats or surf the web using "stay put fire notice".

Fitting a door closer would not help and be counterproductive it appears the door needs to be maintained I am sure a good joiner could resolve the problem.

Reading your description I would think it meets the requirements of 5.44 of ADB but before giving a definitive reply I would need to see a detailed drawing. Has it been thrown back by building control and if so, for what reasons. I do not think they are, providing smoke from any fire in the basement does not affect means of escape from upper floors.

Whether you have one or two entrances make no difference to requiring a fire alarm in the common parts of the flats if there is commercial premises below and the guidance is Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats. Check out appendix 6.28 The Responsible Person is the owner or owners of the building see article 3 of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Providing it is a limited number of hung paintings I cannot see any major problems but you will need the permission of the Responsible Person (the owner or management company).

BS EN 1125:2008 Building hardware. Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar, for use on escape routes, is the standard for final exit doors that use panic bars. BS EN 179:2008 Building hardware. Emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad, for use on escape routes. Is the standard for lever handle or push pads. You should find the release forces recommended for each device, so it depends how the exit door is secured.

YES. need to be FD30s fire doors with S/C.

Because the council is, it doesnt mean a thing, unless they are your landlord and they control your lease.

It is unlikely to be a HMO but subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 especially as a FRA is involved and the enforcing authority is the local fire and rescue service, contact them.

A fire risk assessor would look a this situation and ask the question if this door is not a fire door would any other persons in the buildings be put at risk if a fire immersed from that door. From what you have said, including the image, it appears nobody would be, my only concern is the location of the staircase and could that be threatened.

Who is asking you, if it is the Building Control or other Enforcement Officer then you need to ask them, because if it is a BCO or other EO then you will not get approval. If you are fitting a new FD30 door then I would think you need to fit a fire door set which is the door and frame and upgrading is a last resort.

I would suggest you contact a solicitor specialising in fire safety like http://www.safetylawyers.co.uk/fire-safety/ for a more authoritative reply. However I think the common areas would be subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Responsible Person has a duty to implement articles 8 to 22 which includes a fire risk assessment (FRA). The owner or management company of the building would be defined as the Responsible Person and would be required to conduct a FRA, consequently implement the significant findings. The guidance is more difficult I think I would use Specialised Housing Guidance from the NFCC at https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/News/nfcc-launches-specialised-housing-guidance If it is a HMO it would be up to the local council as that is a matter for them because they enforce The Housing Act 2004 check out https://www.firesafe.org.uk/houses-in-multiple-occupation/ for more information.

You are right a dining room is a habitable room and create a possible fire risk consequently the staircase has to be protected from it.

Contact your solicitor it will depend on any agreements or contracts you are party to and only the common areas are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the flats are subjected to The Housing Act 2004 however if fire safety items need to be installed in your flat to protect the common areas you should allow it to be installed.

All door opening onto the fire protected escape exit route will need to be FD30s fire doors. Check out FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing also https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors/

Your proposals will be subject to Building regulations approval so it is up to building control to approve. I can see the means of escape being acceptable but installing a open plan kitchenette with toaster, electric hob and microwave is like to be viewed as a high fire risk and you may be required to enclose it, providing a open plan tea & coffee facilities most probably would be acceptable but including cooking devices is likely to be considered a step to far. Also if you have a fire detection especially smoke detectors you are likely to have false alarm problems.

You cannot certify any alterations, only a testing house can certify fire doors, you can say in your opinion that the door will achieve the required standard and it is up to the enforcing authority to accept it or reject it. Enforcing officers sometimes will accept below acceptable standards other times they will only accept copper plate solutions, there is no way of knowing. 1. Fitting a certified fire door set is the best solution and bound to be accepted in all situations. 2. Fitting a bespoke door set that has been constructed to a global assessment is possible the next best solution and is likely to be accepted in most situations. 3. Modifying or repairing a fire door to a high standard, to produce a nominal fire door is probably the least likely to be accepted but is in many cases satisfactory. At the end of the day it is all up to the enforcing officer what he/she is prepared to accept. If I was replacing a fire door I would use solution 1 or 2 and if I was maintaining fire doors I would use 3. If the doors appear to be fire doors I would have them accessed by some body like the FDIS and if they are acceptable then fit the correct door furniture suitable for FD30 doors https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors/ http://fdis.co.uk/

There are two links you should study https://www.asdma.com/knowledge-centre/ and https://www.safelincs.co.uk/blog/2013/08/09/gaps-underneath-fire-doors/. Query 1. Based on a FAQ from TRADA for FD30 fire doors. The recommended leaf edge to frame gap specified in BS 8214: 1990 is 4mm on all edges. Intumescent seals are engineered to react within this size of gap to give optimum sealing and clamping performance. It is through extensive testing of fire rated doorsets, together with knowledge of the pressure regime within a fire test that a larger gap is permitted at the threshold of the door. There is negative pressure at the threshold during test conditions and so cool air is drawn in underneath the door. It is for this reason that there is unlikely to be a failure at the threshold and also why there is no need to fit a perimeter intumescent strip at this location (doorsets below FD60 performance). A larger gap at the threshold is also useful from a practical end use application for accommodating floor coverings. We recommend a gap of 10 mm from the bottom of the leaf to the structural surround. FD30s doors are a different matter because a 10mm gap at the threshold does not provide a passage for fire through the door however it would allow cold smoke in the early stages of a fire to pass through the door consequently you must fit cold seals to all sides of the door including the threshold,( if it is more than 4mm) or you could fit threshold cold smoke seals or lippings if you prefer. Query 2. You are quite correct intumescent vent into an existing fire door is not acceptable it would have to be a 30/60 FR smoke controlled vent. Check out http://www.sealmaster.co.uk/fire-door-seals/fire-door-seals-pages/60-minute-fire-smoke-vents.php

The self closer should conform to BS EN 1154 which most of the overhead S/C do but only one concealed Fire Door Closers I am aware of, does, the Perko Powermatic Concealed Fire Door Closer and that is quite expensive. There are other designs which are less obtrusive I would suggest you search the web but they tend to be more costly. Check out https://www.safelincs.co.uk/door-closers/ for some ideas.