Neil Ashdown MAFDI

The 2008 version of BS 8214 would have applied in 2014 and this version also stated that such gaps should of the correct dimensions and sealed with non combustible materials. https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/code-of-practice-for-fire-door-assemblies?version=standard

Thanks. I will keep digging and if I find anything useful I will post it on here if I can.

It seems the Building Safety Regulator might have approached the competent person scheme issue without undertaking due diligence. Have any of the members of the competent person schemes agreed to quote for the work?

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/fire-resistance-historic-timber-panel-doors/

The document to which you refer is used only as an example of a technical manual for a specific type of door by Falcon Timber https://falcon-timber.com/downloads/ . But you need the manual specific to the door in question.

The questions are: 1) Will the door self-close effectively with this type of lock fitted? 2) Will the lock have an adverse effect on the fire resistance performance of the door? Consult the manufacturer of the specific door leaf, where possible, for advice.

The document Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors available at http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf contains some very useful information about hinges including Critical Recommendations at section 2.2. The information therein should enable you to decide an appropriate course of action. For metal faced timber-based fire resisting doors it will be necessary to consult the technical manual for the 'specific fire door leaf' to find out what is permitted in terms of fire resistance performance. eg

The recommendation is 2mm to 4mm. More than 4mm could be an issue affecting the restricted spread of smoke and potentially premature failure of the door in a fire. Less than 2mm could mean that the door fails to self-close and latch correctly (eg. due to binding on a smoke seal), therefore inspect each door to make sure any tight gaps do not affect the ability of the door to self-close completely.

Me too. NickT said the core was circular whereas these have a tree. As NickT said this might be an early forerunner.

Or maybe they refer to the architrave? Table 2 at section 9 of BS 8214: 2016 requires architraves to be 15mm thick in some situations.

Good work. Have never come across a black plug so thanks for sharing.

Are you sure it's black and not blue? Blue plug with red centre indicates FD60 with intumescent seals required.

Interesting. Thank you for posting 🙂

Hi Maddy, Find a person that has experience and can demonstrate competence relevant to the type of fire door you have. Ask for their credentials.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

No but assuming the door/frame is timber, stainless steel would be best. Before you go ahead make sure the groove for the seals is clean and consistently of the right depth and width to match the seals.

If the finger guard manufacturer cannot provide this, it is likely that the reason is that in the event of a fire they would burn quickly and fall away from the door assembly. Thus not affecting the fire integrity performance of the door when these are fitted to the fire risk side. On the non-fire risk side, the inherent insulating characteristics of the timber door should mean that the plastic-based finger guards will not be affected.

If you use adhesive it will make it difficult to take them out if necessary. Instead you could you short panel pins to hold them in place.

You could ask https://www.facebook.com/PhilPropertyTurtle/

Its OK. The intumescent strip & smoke seal may be interrupted at lock and hinge fixing points. If the inspector/assessor disagrees, ask them to provide specific evidence that the seal must be continuous and uninterrupted.

Are the intumescent seals installed in such a position that they are directly opposite each other?

There are various types of smoke & acoustic seals. Eg: https://www.lorientuk.com/products/acoustic-smoke-and-fire-door-seals/acoustic-smoke-and-fire-seals Safelincs most likely supply a similar range of seals.

Without identification of the glazing, in terms of the gaskets and the door leaf in the case of the MDF frame its difficult to answer your questions. Are there any marks on the glass that could be used to identify the product? Also are there any stencil marks on the top edge of the door? Begin there to try and trace the products to the relevant installation data sheets, failing that you could engage an experienced and knowledgeable fire door inspector for consultancy. Alternatively, a suitably experienced fire risk assessor may be able to provide 'risk-based' advice.

On the basis that there is still part of the integral garage present (but smaller than it used to be), then the separating wall needs to be suitably fire rated and if there's a door in that wall it should be minimum FD30(s) self-closing. Refer to Approved Document B of the Building Regulations in England. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

You could ask them to provide evidence of performance for fire resistance and restricted spread of cold smoke.