scp

[scp]

Hi. In a four-storey block of purpose-built apartments with 2 apartments per floor, do all the apartment doors need to be fire doors? There are 2 exits from the communal areas, one to the front and one to the rear and each flat has its own fire escape.

[AnthonyB]

What age of build? Flat front doors invariably need to be fire doors regardless of other exits otherwise the flat of fire origin could take out both stairs - is there a third stair, what do you mean by flat fire escape?

[Guest Scp]

Hi. The building is purpose built about 1980. There is a ground floor exit from the building to the rear and a first floor exit from the building to the raised first floor. Each flat has its own metal escape staircase from the balcony area.

[AnthonyB]

If the original front doors are still fitted, in good condition and are to the fire door standard of the time then it's likely they would still be accepted under current guidance. If the original doors are not fire doors in any shape or form it would be useful if it was known if there was a relaxation at the time of build - it's modern enough for there to have been suitable fire safety requirements in Building Regs.

As it need a fire risk assessment it's best for the assessor to look on site and make a decision as the then building guidance and current guidance doesn't really cover this layout. A retrospective fire strategy to set in stone the arrangements might be of use to stop the issue resurfacing again & again in future.