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All I can find free are: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6243119ce90e075f1088f5c1/ps-11-fire-safety-march-2022.pdf https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2018/9780111164631/pdfs/ukdsi_9780111164631_en.pdf So it looks like having to pay for it - if it's like the other ones for special sectors like BB100 for fire safety design in schools in it's depth and specific content it should be worth it if doing prisons work (have you tried asking the establishment you are working at for a copy?)

Thanks Tom, that’s helpful. I understand that the lift shaft itself is generally a protected enclosure (typically 30 minutes, masonry construction), so direct fire spread from floor to floor via the shaft shouldn’t occur. My uncertainty was more about comparing lift shafts with other vertical penetrations through sleeping accommodation, where we’d normally expect some form of lobby or additional separation at each level. I accept that historically, and even under current guidance, passenger lifts can open directly onto protected corridors in flats and hotels, provided those corridors meet the definition of a protected route. As you’ve said, the greater vulnerability is smoke rather than flame spread, and it seems modern lift design is relied upon to manage that risk to an acceptable level. It’s helpful to understand that this is largely accepted practice, even if it feels counter-intuitive when thinking purely in terms of compartmentation. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

You could search for a local fire door inspector at https://afdi.org.uk/category/find-a-fire-door-inspector/ and https://fdis.co.uk/approved-fdis-inspector/

It would very likely be possible to upgrade the fire resistance and smoke spread restriction of your flat entrance door but the term FD30(s) can only refer to either a door with product certification (which yours probably doesn't have) or a door that has been inspected/assessed by a suitably competent person as a Notional FD30(s) or Nominal FD30(s) door. Before you decide on any action, it would be worth consulting the UK Gov guidance whilst considering the location of the door in the block, fire evacuation strategy and potential risk from fire to the occupier(s) of the flat and other residents at the block. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-your-small-block-of-flats-safe-from-fire/a-guide-to-making-your-small-block-of-flats-safe-from-fire-accessible and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-in-purpose-built-blocks-of-flats

Fire doors have been installed in the block where I live plus an extremely heavy entrance door, which for senior citizens presents problems, sprained wrists and or arms and even backs. The directors maintain nothing can be done. Who can I consult on this matter, someone who would actually visit the property to inspect? Ms G J.

Hello! I've inherited a door in a flat that I bought in mid 00's, which was a rental property. I'm now looking at renting it out again to 4 sharers, and checking regs. I've only changed the locks since bought (no other mods) and assume it was compliant at the time of buying it from the previous owner (it's an ex-council, 1930-50 constructed, single storey flat in a low-rise council-owned building) is very solid...perhaps oak (seems to be at least 30 years old - maybe older) has 2 x very solid looking gravity hinges, which are sort of self-closing (but don't close from 15º) has no seals has a viewinghole has a standard letterbox + knocker that looks aluminium has a couple of ringers (that now don't work, but don't want to remove/alter the door further) has what seems to be a formerly-glazed panel, but now replaced with what could be fairly thin plywood and painted on both sides. Is there a suitable way to make this FD30S compliant without wasting a very solid and long-lasting door/hinges? I envisage: potentially adding a hidden-frame/chain...or overhead door-closer intumescent smoke/fire strips intumescent threshold strips intumescent steel letterbox intumescent sheets retrofitted around latches/locks, and hinges potentially get new viewing hole with intumescent sheet in surround potentially get a custom pyroglass panel fitted with intumescent seals/beading/tape/fixtures Does this make sense? Is it worth it? Or do I send a very solid chunk of wood to landfill that has been doing a solid job for at least 30 years (and possibly longer!)

In a retirement complex with 67 flats we have recently had a fire alarm system upgrade. We have had a new fire panel, removed fire bells from flats as the fire risk assessment said as we are a stay put site we shouldn't have them and replaced the bells in the corridors with sounders. Existing cabling was used. Where the bells have been removed from the flats the remaining cable has been joined using plastic choc blocks. These are (mostly) inside the existing round metal conduit junction box but without a lid. This is fixed to the wall and the plaster board is dabbed onto the wall leaving a gap between. Then on the flat side (apartment side) of the plaster board a metal plate has been fitted using the fixing holes of the original junction box. This results in a gap between this plate and the upper edge of the junction box. The installer says this is still classed as an enclosed metal box as fire cannot get in. Is it? Is it a fire proof situation? Is the system compliant? We have a modifications certificate.

i have a mid terraced house with a middle bedroom that has a window situated above a glass roof. i need an escape route. The bedroom door opens onto an open landing leading to open stairs, so i guess that is not an option. i have been advised that an escape ladder onto the glass roof is also not an option as the glass is not fire glass. The research that i have done offers limited solutions, as follows: 1. Create a fire resistant hatch into an adjoining bedroom. So go through the hatch and escape from other bedroom via window to front of the house 2. Replace the glass with fire glass (not easy to do, not practical, and likely to be expensive) 3. Build a platform above the glass and below the bedroom window onto which the escapee could stand without standing directly on the glass roof. Any help or advice would be greatfully received to resolve this matter Many thanks

Hi- I appear to have come across a classic bit of poor interdepartmental referencing and archiving. Approved Document B Volume 2 states: "Prisons provided under section 33 of the Prisons Act 1952 0.15 Prisons are exempted from the functional requirements of Parts B1 to B5 of the Building Regulations under section 33 of the Prisons Act 1952. It is usual that prisons should comply with the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations, except where the requirements are incompatible with safe custody, good order or security. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) provides guidance documents on fire precautions in prisons, which take account of the public safety need to secure doors and exits while maintaining life safety objectives. The HMPPS Custodial Premises Fire Safety Design Guide (FSDG) is the design standard for fire safety in prisons, providing structured guidance for those involved in the planning, designing or approval of new or altered buildings. Further guidance documents on fire safety in prisons are provided by HMPPS. These documents may also be used for other places of lawful detention." This appears to be as a result of a tidy-up of responsibilities between the Home Office and Ministry of Justice. Unfortunately, all hyperlinks simply go to to the HM Prison and Probation Service home page, and if I we search for it the only returns are the paragraph above in ADB2 or a paywall to Construction Information Service (UK). Before I risk giving my details to the salespeople at CIS, can anyone let me know if 'HMPPS Custodial Premises Fire Safety Design Guide': Exists in a usable format (i.e. was actually drafted and published rather just an 'commitment to publish' that didn't survive reshuffles) Is current and official/ has not been superseded; and Is accessible (and if so, where) I've had bad experiences with paying for services and just getting a summary or abstract before, and the British Library and National Archives show no record of publication. Is ADB2 referring to a document that was never published?

Great, thank you for the advice as always AnthonyB! 🙂

For anyone reading this, it is never a good idea to reply to an old post (On any forum) because as shown here, the question was asked over a year ago and the OP (Peter G) has never been back so will never reply to you. It is always best to start a new thread and pose your own question.

First Tier Tribunal - challenge the necessity for the door being changed - most flat fire door replacements are not required to meet the functional requirements of the law and the guidance (which has special status such that if you follow it you tend to be deemed compliant if someone alleges there is an issue) However you need to establish that the current doorset meets the requirements applicable to the block - the minimum standard being based on age, layout & height of the block. This note reinforces that wholesale replacement is often not required - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance

It's not quite a BS7273-4 device, but it's probably the nearest guidance - this would equate to weekly rotational testing, servicing in accordance with manufacturers instructions = basically it's risk assessment based

My Nan has lived in her flat for 27 years, while a council Tennant permission was requested and gained to replace her front door about 20 years ago, about 2 years ago we bought the property from the council, they have sent someone to measure up the front door and are going to replace it with a heavier more fire resistant door, we were unaware this was going to happen, they say a new door will soon be fitted. Can they recharge us for this door, they have not given us the opportunity to get the door replaced ourselves even though it’s our own door they are removing and replacing. And if they do re charge us it really worries me what they will charge us, they have a reputation for charging leaseholders top price for everything. what is anything can we do to prevent exhaustion by them. many thanks sean

Hi Please can we ask someone for their advice... We have a fire service access control mechanism (drop-key) fitted to the gate of a school we look after. Does anyone know how often they should be tested by the school and serviced by an engineer? Also, does anyone know the correct British Standard for these devices (we were told it was BS7273-4)?

Hello I'm just wondering if you resolved this.. We're having a similar issue with our house and have hit an impasse.

https://specialistdoorsolutions.com/latest-news/what-are-vision-panels

Yes, for the external walls and due to the hallway. Not many requirements would be expected to come off the back of it though.

Hi, I own the freehold to a 3 storey house converted into 3 flats. The lower flat has a separate entrance. The upper 2 flats share a front door and hallway but no shared stairwell - does this property require a Fire Risk Assessment? Thanks

There are no common interior areas. Thank you very much for your reply.

Does it matter what size vision panels are on corridor/ stairwell doors or is there a regulation that states they need to be a certain size?

It may be at a lower than usual height for wheelchair users (even though I'm guessing there aren't any!) Their safeguarding & fire risk assessments need to match up to provide a suitable balance between placement for escape and placement to avoid children escaping.

Are there internal common areas for the flats? If not then a building owner FRA would be of the exterior of the building primarily. Where there are internal common areas as a minimum a sample of flats would need access to their hallways to inspect the front fire door properly from both sides and to check if any common fire alarm system devices are present. If the tenant is still in occupancy through & after the works then it is for them to review their FRA not you - it is up to them whether they do this in house or via an external accredited person.

Hi all, I have fitted a rubber fin intumescent strip (10x4mm) to a communal fire door. The strip has been rebated into a 10x4mm groove and sits flush. When I try to close the door the rubber fin stops the door from closing. Am I ok to rebate 1mm more? as I feel this would allow the door to close and the fin to make contact all the way down the frame. thank you for any help you can offer. Rob

Hello, I have a situation similar to Ron above but with less flats. With regards to a FRA for the building itself, would this mean that the assesor would need to go into each individual flat or just the outside of each flat and outside of the shop? Each property has their own external escape route and no communal interior shared space, just exterior. I am about to start minor structural building work to the shop. The shop is rented out. Would it be my responsibility to do a FRA after the work has finished or the tenant? So far the tenant has done their own FRA. Would that be acceptable or would it need a new FRA by a professional assessor? Thank you.