I have been researching fire doors and find the guidance a little difficult to pin down for converted flats.
It seems more black and white for purpose built flats as it is clearly outlined in the guidance, even then some assessors and fire door surveyors would recommend upgrading all doors with intumescent and smoke seals where the guidance suggests it is acceptable to retain notional FD30 without upgrades providing they self close, fit suitably in their frames and remain in good condition.
Lacors suggests in all cases flat entrance doors that open onto the escape route should be FD30S, I assume this also includes upgraded FD30S, but this is not mentioned.
There is a bit of conflict in the Lacors guidance, where Figure 10, referred to below in the case study, clearly shows FD30 doors.
Case study D10: Two-storey building converted
into self-contained flats (see figure 10)
Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
30-minute protected route is required, including
30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
to rooms opening onto escape route. No requirement
for fire doors within flats, but sound, well constructed
and close-fitting conventional doors are required.
Travel distance must not be excessive
It may be possible to accept an existing lower standard
of protection in the protected route if there are
suitable escape windows from bedrooms and living
rooms (see paragraph 14)
In Case study D11: Three- or four-storey building converted into self-contained flats (see figure D11) the guidance says
FD30S doors to rooms opening onto escape route. No requirement
for fire doors within flats, but sound, well constructed
and close-fitting conventional doors are required.
BUT in figure D11 it says "30 minute FD30S fir doors to each flat entrance and ideally to rooms within flats".
I have four questions:
1. Has anyone seen, or recommended, FD30S doors to be installed to rooms within flats?
2. Is an upgrade to FD30S the correct recommendation for all flat entrance doors, converted and purpose-built, regardless of where the government guidance says it is not necessary?
3. I have also read fire risk assessments, and seen fire safety advice on company websites, that suggest an 8mm or 10mm gap at the bottom of an upgraded FD30S door, but I read this as <4mm without a threshold seal or <3mm with a drop seal. Which is the correct line?
4. I know advice can change with risk assessment, but Is there a definitive guide on fire doors in converted flats? Or a summary that pulls together all of the guidance for converted flats and purpose built flats?
This has been discussed before and I have read almost all of the previous posts without forming a clear idea of what would satisfy any enforcing authority.
Ian
