Guest Matt Posted October 15, 2020 Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 Hi there We are currently selling our 3-storey property. We have had a viewer who claims to be in the building regulations business and stated that we 'may' have issues at the conveyancing stage as we have removed 2 doors however he said it was a 'grey area' due to when the house was built and when we removed them - so I thought I would give the full scenario here and see if anyone can offer some definitive advice please. House - 3 storey semi-detached townhouse built in 2004, purchased by us in 2009 Ground floor - hallway off of which kitchen at front, lounge at rear (leading to garden through french doors), and small toilet room. Fire doors (with auto-close) from hallway to kitchen and hallway to lounge completely removed due to being space hungry and generally awkward. The doors have been retained in the shed. Middle Floor - 2 bedrooms and bathroom - auto-close on both bedrooms disabled as seemed more danger closing on children Top floor - unchanged. Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyB Posted October 15, 2020 Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 The version of building regulations in force at the time of build is here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141202130432/http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADB_2000.pdf Older version of ADB required self closers in flats & certain houses, however the current approach is such that you no longer need them to the stair. However on all levels you must retain the fire doors. If you wish to sell your house without hitting problems you need to refix the missing doors, but not the self closers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Matt Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 On 15/10/2020 at 19:18, AnthonyB said: The version of building regulations in force at the time of build is here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141202130432/http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADB_2000.pdf Older version of ADB required self closers in flats & certain houses, however the current approach is such that you no longer need them to the stair. However on all levels you must retain the fire doors. If you wish to sell your house without hitting problems you need to refix the missing doors, but not the self closers Thanks - I understand though that if the purchaser is happy to accept the house without the doors attached this is ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyB Posted October 19, 2020 Report Share Posted October 19, 2020 Yes, as long as they are owner occupiers it wouldn't be an issue as long as they accepted the risk as it would only be raised if they were doing further alterations under Building Regulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Matt Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 On 19/10/2020 at 17:16, AnthonyB said: Yes, as long as they are owner occupiers it wouldn't be an issue as long as they accepted the risk as it would only be raised if they were doing further alterations under Building Regulations. Thanks Anthony - do you mind if I ask what qualifications you hold in case anyone challenges me on this (just so I can go back and say 'someone on this forum with these qualifications has told me.....') Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyB Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I'm on the Nationally Accredited Fire Risk Assessors Register (NAFAR). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Matt Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 1 hour ago, AnthonyB said: I'm on the Nationally Accredited Fire Risk Assessors Register (NAFAR). Thank you - I assume with there being only one Anthony B on the register you are the one based in the Milton Keynes area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyB Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 You are looking at the wrong register (there is more than one!) https://www.ifsm.org.uk/fra-registers/assessors/buck-anthony-charles/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Matt Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 2 hours ago, AnthonyB said: You are looking at the wrong register (there is more than one!) https://www.ifsm.org.uk/fra-registers/assessors/buck-anthony-charles/ Thank you very much for all your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Gee Posted April 5, 2022 Report Share Posted April 5, 2022 Hi, i have a similar query to this 3 floors all 1st floor and above all standard. But where stairs meets hallway i have cut wall and removed doorway completely due to very small kitchen refit. It was not load bearing so doesn’t need planning but could throw up problems with fire regulations. Currently selling property and buyer is so far happy. But i want it all ticked off as to go smoothly. any answers would be much appreciated please regards gee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Sutton Posted April 11, 2022 Report Share Posted April 11, 2022 So a fire in the kitchen would smoke log the the staircase and prevent people using the staircase, not a good idea definately against fire safety guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Samcon Posted July 16, 2023 Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 Hi we live in a 2004 built end of terrace townhouse and have replaced our doors with non fire doors. Would our insurance be void in the event of a fire? Online it says new builds have to have fire doors but our house is now 19 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyB Posted July 17, 2023 Report Share Posted July 17, 2023 Internal doors would have been fire doors even when your house was built - Building Regulations are such that you must not make anything to a lesser standard than when originally approved. Whether an insurer would use this to reject or reduce a claim is up to the individual insurer, it depends on the wording of the policy. Similarly it depends on how in depth a surveyor is as to whether they would flag this up on a home buyers survey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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