When and where are fire doors required in office building?

[Phill Nevard]

I am working in an old listed building, previously used as a GP surgery, that is now being renovated into an office building. The building has two floors and a basement. There are three fire exits on the ground floor and an external wooden staircase from the first floor. As the building is listed the council are requesting to keep the internal doors as they are, however I feel FD30(S) fire doors should be considered. However, I cannot find any legislation that provides a detailed explanation of when and where fire doors are required. The building is medium sized with 4 offices on the ground floor and four offices and a kitchen on the first floor. It seems excessive to request fire doors on every room as there is there is an L1 fire detection system throughout the building and alternative means of escape. I've suggested installing five fire doors, covering the kitchen, an inner room and distances created than 18 metres. Is anyone able to help me with this?

[Tom Sutton]

To design a means of escape from fire you need access to the premises and/or detailed plan of the premises.

Section 4 of https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422175/9449_Offices_and_Shops_v2.pdf will give you guidance how a satisfactory means of escape can be acheived, trying to do it by remote control is not possible, but you could employ a fire risk assessor.

[Tom Sutton]

It may be useful to check out https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/. 

[Phill Nevard]

Thanks for your reply Tom. And for the link. It's actually myself thats been tasked with the job of carrying out a fire risk assessment, but my experience is quite limited so i'm trying to gather as much information regarding the legislation as possible. With regards to the government guidance attached in your response, it seems to suggest that as long as the fire risk is normal i.e. offices with small numbers of people, that predominantly employees use the building, that there are alternative means of escape and that travel distances are within the suggested distance described in Table B, Page 68; then fire doors may not be deemed a requirement? The building is of typical layout, although the stairs are not protected, the travel distances are well within the recommendations in the above mentioned table and most if not all persons in the building will know the layout. There is L1 fire alarm coverage as well. I'm thinking the inner room, kitchen and head of the stairs are the only rooms that require fire doors?

[AnthonyB]

You can upgrade heritage doors to 30 minutes performance using a variety of methods that are usually compatible with their listing. English Heritage provide guidance and Envirograf many suitable products

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

The guidance document AnthonyB refers to (I think) is 'Timber Panelled Doors and Fire' dating back to the 1990's but still relevant.  

[Phill Nevard]

Thanks for all your help and advice. I'm new to the site so my messages need to be approved before they are posted, thus taking a little longer than expected. Your help has been very much appreciated.

Kind regards

[Guest Mike G]

Interested to know what the outcome was here. I have a similar situation 

[Guest Fire door]

A kitchen area in between two rooms one an office and the other a staff room has no doors either end.

What would be your recommendation regarding fire doors to be installed either FD 30 or 60?

 

Thank you

[AnthonyB]

Firstly define 'kitchen'. Does it have a cooker, or is it just a tea/break out point with kettle, microwave, toaster (which can be totally open plan)?

Secondly do the offices and staff room either side both have their own exits or would you create inner and possibly even inner inner rooms by adding doors?

Absolutely no need for FD60 and possibly not even FD30 either (a door would probably be wedged anyway).