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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.

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, and where did either say that Aico bases have an expiry date?

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

Usually unless the Building was converted in line with post 1991 Building Regulations Guidance it is unlikely (but not impossible) to meet the required standard for stay put - however in small conversions like this with minimal common space if there is at least 30 minutes notional fire separation between flats there is potential for not requiring a common system - I have dealt with cases like this. If you did have a common system it would have to be Grade D (mains with battery back up)even if wirelessly linked. Grade F these days is only really for individual existing single dwellings provision by householders or landlords where not part of a rewire upgrade.

No distribution boards, meters or other equipment, just cables?

Hi, We have a couple of blocks in a London borough with a fair amount of fire doors within them. The blocks were built or in early/mid 2000's. The doors are of a regency style and have a 2mm metal skin on them with a beech hardwood perimeter framework. There is a hole/cap on the head of the door where it is assumed the foam injection was applied. The only markings present are on the top with '09-06-05'. Id guess this a manufacturer date. We have had no such luck with the developer, and cannot seem to identify these door sets at all. Do any of you know a way/system to find some sort of manufacturers information? I've read on here possibly on/under a hinge. I would upload images but it keeps stating error (they are under 500kb). From what I understand these type of fire doors were popular late 90s. We are only trying to confirm a fire rating, otherwise we are going to have to seek a very expensive burn test. Any ideas? Thanks

Is there any reference in the FSO that you educated people could point me towards that - Pacifically says that separate blocks/properties require separate FRAs. I’ve encountered a housing association that will ask for one FRA for two separate addressable blocks which are semi detached but have their own entrances and exits with their own addresses.

The stop lath should not be removed and replaced by a door-closer slide arm track. Check that the budget self-closer you are using has fire performance certification for use in the paralell arm cofiguaration, some come with a push-side kit but even so are only suitable for fire doors in projecting arm (pull side) cofiguaration. Check this out, this company has a few instructional films available. Contact them for more info and with any questions. They also run training sessions.

We are in a converted house with two flats (one upstairs, one downstairs) and a small shared communal hallway (less than 2m²). The FRA indicated that we need to install mains powered fire alarm, Grade D Category LD2 with a connected heat detector in each flat.However, I’m struggling to find clear guidance that a communal alarm is required at all in a small two-flat conversion, as I understand these are usually designed as “stay put” buildings with alarms only inside the flats. Can anyone clarify whether a communal alarm system is legally required? We will be installing fire doors if that helps. In addition, if it is required, does this mean the alarms inside the flats must be mains powered as well, or can battery powered alarms be used if they are wireless interlinked? Any guidance would be appreciated.

You wouldn't want to use a roof as an exit as you would then be trapped with fire & smoke of course liking to rise (look at the Joelma Building Fire) A single protected stair is an acceptable escape route in many situations

It's unlikely to significantly enhance the fire resistance as it's not thick enough or anywhere near the tested specification (https://files.mutualcdn.com/medite-smartply/files/TEUSG0429-Rev01-Medite-Prem-FR-Euroclass-C-30-minute-FR-Partition-Wall.pdf) Euroclass ratings are for a wall or ceiling linings reaction to fire not their ability to hold back fire. Plasterboard or Gypsum board is more common for use to increase fire resistance of walls & doors https://files.mutualcdn.com/medite-smartply/files/Specification-Guide-to-Flame-Retardant-Wood-Panels-Part-1-REV0.pdf https://files.mutualcdn.com/medite-smartply/files/Specification-Guide-to-Flame-Retardant-Wood-Panels-Part-2-REV0.pdf https://files.mutualcdn.com/medite-smartply/files/Specification-Guide-to-Flame-Retardant-Wood-Panels-Part-3-REV0.pdf

Yes you do, because your flat should be a fire compartment and so should your neighbour's flat be a fire compartment - but separate to yours. That's why you both need your own fire door.

Hi I have just fitted a fire door that requires a closer on the push side. I don’t normaly like them fitted on the push side as theres greater loading on the fixings, and it is on the fire side of the door. The budget Eclipse door closer that I normally use will not work as the scissor arm rubs on the chunky stop lath on the door lining (even when using the fish plate). Im sure other fitters have a solution to this when using door linings and stop laths? Would a track type closer work? ie could I fix the door closer arm track directly onto the stop lath? This way when the door pushes open the closer and closer arm clear the stop lath. Looking forward to your solutions.

A two-foot square timber fronted riser cupboard on a stairwell of a 5-storey residential block of flats contains three waste pipes and three electric supply cables running up through all floors. The hinges are not fire-rated, the door is 18mm thick with 10mm stops. No combined seals. Is there a need to better protect the escape route?

Hi my name is martin I own a flat i a block of 12 i live on the second floor as there are.only 2 floors in the whole building I live on the 2nd floor as.therw is 2 flats on that floor there are.no escape roots to the the top.of the building is a small door mate a triple hazard as there only 2 flat's on that floor

Good morning. We have a communal floor to ceiling meter cupboard in the entrance lobby of our small block of pb flats - 2 x gf + 2 x 1st floor. The cupboard is divided into three sections, each with their own doors, and the central section of the cupboard houses the meters but nothing else stored elsewhere in the cuboard. I have lined the interior/middle section of the cupboard with 6mm Medite fire retardant mdf (Euro class B) and sealed gaps with intumescent sealant. Can I fix the same fire retardant mdf to the back of the two timber doors with intumescent strips around the frame perimeter? I read in a similar post that you can get self adhesive strips, if so, where can I get suitable ones. Have tried to upload photos but keep getting unknown server error - probably fault my end

Dear Neil, thank you very much again, I'll do what you've recommended. Best regards, Viktor

Best to contact your local Building Control office for advice. My experience, having received different comments from different LBC offices.

That may well be a potentially suitable upgrade - some premises go down an alternative route, especially where there isn't much room for a bulky cupboard: https://envirograf.com/product/ecu-fire-protection-system/

When were they built - Building Regulations are not retrospective, but fire safety regulations allow for technical progress in assessing risk meaning in some situations corrective work is required. Government fire risk assessment guidance expects an existing block of flats to have a divided roof space if retaining a stay put policy, but on the other hand doesn't require new flat front doors if the original flat doors are fire doors to the standard of the time of build and are still in good condition. It's risk assessment driven - ask for the Fire Risk Assessment carried out for the block as the management company is now legally obliged to provide you with details of the risks and protective measures in the building as well as the identity of the fire risk assessor.