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Your fire risk assessor should have really covered this for you - the guidance for these blocks only require one protected stair & final exit so the exit near the external exit is not required to be a means of escape - as such the external flat front door would not need to be passed in order to escape, therefore it need not be a fire door. Also in a 70's low rise block there is a fair chance you don't need to replace internal fire doors if original & in good order, beyond possibly new self closers, they ay be possible to retain or repair - again the FRA should have addressed this. The Government recognises too many management companies are feeling pressured into and leaseholders made to pay for excessive fire safety work (sometimes at the expense of needed measures overlooked in poor FRAs) and their guidance shows that a pragmatic approach is legally compliant - no wholesale replacements unless genuinely required

The person / contractor should be able to demonstrate sufficient competence to be able to complete the job. Make sure they have the necessary SKEB, see https://www.citb.co.uk/standards-and-delivering-training/training-standards/competence-frameworks/ If you are unsure you could appoint an independant inspector to sign-off the work https://afdi.org.uk/

Hi. We manage a purpose-built 1970s three-storey block of concrete/masonry construction. 10 flats are accessed via the main communal entrance and internal common areas. We are in the process of ensuring the front doors to these 10 flats are 30-minute fire doors. An additional flat (part of the same block) has its entrance door directly opposite the main communal entrance in a covered passageway area. The door to this flat is not fire-rated (and neither is the communal entrance door). The covered passageway is open at one end but is probably only about 20-30% of the area of all the wall area of the passageway. The flat door is located about 2m away from the main communal entrance door. The 11 other flats have access to another dedicated fire escape at the other side of the building. Should the door to this flat be replaced? We have considered it as low priority as the other flats have access to another fire exit. Please provide references as we will need to back up our decision.

Hi We are looking to replace 50+ fire door closures on residential front doors in an apartment block. As long as the installer follows the manufacturer's fitting instructions, is there a requirement for the installer to have any accredited competency training and standard, or can any regular skilled trades do it? Thanks

For most fire doors, the performance certification requires the wall to be at least 70mm thick. I am yet to see one where such a thin wall is suitable.

Yes it can, but you may need to make the stop lath wider to get a secure fixing.

Sarah, David asked the question in June 2020, he only made 2 posts (3 weeks apart) he has never been heard of again, so it is very doubtful that he will reply to you. Best not to reply to old posts (on any forum)

The size and layout may be such you need both exits in which case the ramp should be repaired - after all escape windows can't be used. Also you would be making access to the premises less compliant than when first built or altered which is usually not accepted.

Strictly speaking yes, but if at no point in the riser there are no meters, DNO fuses or distribution boards or anything liable to be an ignition source then you could make a case for tolerating it. Is it an open shaft or just with holes punched through floorboards or pipes & cables?

Hi David, I am going through the same as you, needing 2200 and as you mentioned Eclisse do not do a fire-rated door to suit the size. May I ask the brand of the pocket door system you used and if you have found it to be good and robust? Sarah

We have a holiday home which is disabled friendly with a ramp to the front door, level access to the back door. Both doors are double doors and wheelchairs can easily pass through. The ramp is very long (has a resting space in the middle) and in need of repair. Do we need a disabled fire exit out of both doors or can we replace the ramp with steps leaving one fire exit for the disabled. The holiday let is a bungalow and sleeps 8 in 4 double bedrooms. Advice appreciated

Cheers muchly

Hi Neil, Thanks for the reply. They are indeed IG Doors after I reached out and messaged them. They have a conventional overhead closer. However an email 'confirming' they are fire rated isn't worth anything. I'm looking for some tangible evidence these are fire rated. We have nominal/notional fire doors in other blocks but they are of a hardwood variety as retain similar characteristics of a typical fire door. These don't really share the same characteristics due to the foam injection and steel clad construction. Appreciate the work you do on here Neil.

No - just three cables

Thanks AnthonyB - that's a great help. Kind Regards Jo

This type of composite fire resisting door was popular in the early 2000s. Is the self-closer a chain type, fitted to the hanging edge of the door and hanging jamb of the door frame? Many were. Could be a Birtley or IG door but unlikely that the manuufacturer would still hold data after this length of time. You could try contacting https://www.acdm.co.uk/ The Association of Composite Door Manufacturers, if you send them images of the doors they may be able to help. You may find Para 62.17 of the HM Gov guidance at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e9def95b6524001af21bcc/Fire_Safety_in_Purpose_Built_Blocks_of_Flats_Guide-update.pdf helpful in terms of Notional Fire Doors.

Other than the flat front door you are no longer required to have self closers on any door so they can all be removed leaving just the one on the front door. Unless your bathroom contains an unusual fire hazard like a boiler it doesn't even need a fire door so a lighter weight door can be fitted.

CLEAPS has some guidance to help you form a policy: https://dt.cleapss.org.uk/Resources/All/?search=lithium Safe storage & containment whilst charging is key with several companies providing suitable cabinets - https://www.lapsafe.com/storage-and-charging Do not be conned into spending substantial amounts of money on specialist lithium ion battery fire extinguishers, it is far too hazardous to tackle these fires without protective clothing and breathing apparatus as the vented gas (that you get even before ignition as well as during) includes highly toxic and corrosive gases far worse than a typical fire, including HF Acid which even in small amounts can cause life changing injury. Also flammable & explosive gases are produced meaning there is an explosion risk whilst tacking these fires.

Sorry, for clarity I wanted to know if a parallel door closer track can be attached to the stop lath on the lining?

Kush, the post you replied to was made 8+ years ago, Darren posed his question/thanks and has never been back since, Harry has not posted since 2020, best NOT to reply to old posts (On any forum) In order to answer your question can you show where it says that Aico bases have an expiry date?

I have had fire doors installed in a property by a contractor. Some of the walls are 45mm and the installer has installed the doors in frames cut down and used the architrave as door stop by overhanging the edges 12mm over the door frame. He believes the architraves suffice as door stop. It is quite unusual I have not seen it before. Would this pass a fire door assessment as we are converting the house for social care FD30 doors were recommended for all the rooms.

What is the reason the Aico bases also have an expiry date on them?

My bathroom has a firedoor.I use a walking stick with R hand hold,door open with L.Door very heavy....let it go and it thumped me in the back....I fell forewards hitting L side of skull.......I would like to have closing mechanism removed on b`rm Advice?

Good Afternoon I'm looking for some advice on Lithium Ion Battery management following a FRA recently. A new control measure has been added and I'm being asked to develop policies to meet the needs of it, (and practical measures in school). Can anyone offer any guidance, trusted sources of advice etc that could support me on this? Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries The use of lithium-ion batteries is widespread and in all types of applications using cell quantities large and small, e.g. from e-cigarettes, mobile devices, laptops, rechargeable power tools, floor cleaners, torches, horticultural equipment, scooters, golf/mobility buggies, bikes, etc, etc. Does the school have policies in place for the safe recharging, use of, and storage of devices/equipment that use this type of battery and also that of the correct disposal of such batteries?

If they are separate premises they should have separate FRAs, but if 1 premises is subdivided into separate wings/cores (e.g. own entrances & stairs) then they can be under a single FRA. Ultimately it's down to the Courts - some RP's try to save money by lumping entire estates into single assessments despite being unlikely to be unsuitable as they are too vague & general - however if that's the only issue and there are no other serious physical or management fire safety deficiencies even if technically wrong it's unlikely to score enough points in a fire service audit to trigger enforcement action