Neil Ashdown MAFDI

Check the evidence of fire performance for the chosen sealant used at that gap with that frame material and wall substrate.

In terms of security, a solid door frame section rebated to suit the door leaf would be better than planted.

There are several types of designs for timber based fire doors, most will have lipping requirements but there are some without lipping. Where lipping is a requirement, density and thickness will be specified by the data sheet for the door leaf. As for trim allowances, fire door leaves can have different core construction types some having stiles and rails and some without. Some having a tubeboard core and some being completely solid. That's why there are variations in permitted trim allowances. Select the fire door leaf most appropriate to its end use. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to installation. The data sheet for that particular fire door leaf will provide the necessary details but you will also find BS 8214: 2016 invaluable for guidance. A new version of that Standard is due out this year I believe.

I would advise you to have the door inspected by a competent fire door inspector and then to contact your housing provider accordingly. https://afdi.org.uk/category/find-a-fire-door-inspector/

Yes some holes in timber fire door leaves can be repaired using tightly fitted hardwood and suitable adhesive. Clearly, any product certification for the door will be void but if certification is required a maintenance & repair contractor belonging to a relevant certification scheme may be able to certificate their work. Also, worth checking with the door manufacturer whether the magnetic lock is permitted under the scope of their certification/field of application report.

Other types of smoke seals are available. These types will make it easier for the door to self-close. https://www.lorientuk.com/products/architectural-seals/perimeter-seals

This refers to the checks to satisfy Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/547/regulation/10/made But if your property is not in-scope there is still a requirement to ensure your fire doors are suitable and in good condition, refer to Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/17

The gap between the door and frame should (generally) be between 2mm and 4mm. The gap should be measured at the point central to the thickness of the door. Also, you are measuring from the surface of the door edge to the surface of the door frame. So disregard the smoke seal when measuring the gap. To be effective, the smoke seal brush or blade must lightly contact the surface that it sweeps or presses against. Hope this helps.

The requirement in BS 8214: 2016 is that the flexible strip seals the gap. No mention of the flooring material.

The recommendation is that hinges for fire doors are minimum Grade 11 to BS EN 1935. Most certificated fire doors require that hinges are CE or UKCA marked in accordance with that Standard. Details in the guidance document Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors. https://www.firecode.org.uk/

Answers to your questions: My Q’s are: Q1) Can intumescent strips fix the top and sides? A1) Gaps stated in BS 8214: 2016 Guidance are 2mm to 4mm. So remediate to achieve those gaps and fit suitable seals. Q2) Is the gap at the bottom/threshold acceptable? A2) Threshold gap for a fire door is usually 6mm to 10mm (depending on door manufacturers specification), but if smoke restriction is required the max gap is 3mm as stated in BS 8214: 2016 Guidance . If 3mm cannot be achieved a flexible seal should be fitted to seal the gap.

My view is that having the Perko fitted also, could interfere with the efficiency of the overhead self-closer. Best to remove Perko and remediate door leaf & frame or to disable the chain only.

So looking at this. Opposing seals are permitted, so one could be fire only and the other could be fire and smoke.

I haven't yet come across a timber fire door that permits opposing intumescent seals, in the meeting edges of double leaves they would be offset rather than directly opposed. Except for doors with edge protectors that is. You could try https://www.ifsa.org.uk/

Thanks. Good to know about the Health & Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996

My advice would be to: Establish that the doors are solid core and in suitable condition, record your findings. Add suitable BSEN1154 compliant self-closing devices and make sure all doors self-close completely, reliably, smoothly and without risk of causing a 'trapping injury' - of fingers etc. Add intumescent fire seals and perimeter smoke seals. Make sure the door to frame gaps are between 2mm and 4mm (within reason). Replace the existing letter plate with a fire and smoke rated item and attend to the door threshold so that it will restrict the passage of smoke in a fire. UK Government advice about fire doors can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance

I would advise Fire Exit Keep Clear signs on both sides. The existing PUSH sign should be sufficient unless the Fire Risk Assessment requires illuminated signs.

Hush pads might affect the smoke seals fitted to fire doors. Its not your door so this might not be any use to you but there are smoke seals that soften the closing action of the door - such as these:

https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/site-search.htm?q=fire+doors&searchSubmit=Search

The face of intumescent strip should be flush with the surface of the door leaf edge or door frame. So making a deeper groove is not an option. To reduce friction as the door self-closes, you could use alternative smoke seal types such as those with a blade or you could use perimeter seals or seals fitted to the face of the rebate stop.

Are intumescent seals and smoke seals fitted to the edges of the door leaf? Is the glazed over panel fire rated?

As Anthony has said, Construction Product Regulations are not applied retrospectively. There is no requirement to replace existing hinges because they don't have a CE or UKCA mark. Current building regulations (Approved Document B Appendix C) require that:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/639ae7e98fa8f5069839c7d7/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_1_-_Dwellings__2019_edition_incorporating_2020_and_2022_amendments.pdf Appendix C Fire Door-sets. Table C1 2A on page 138 should help. Also this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-in-purpose-built-blocks-of-flats

Your situation is shared with many owners of flats in the UK. There is guidance on this matter at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-in-purpose-built-blocks-of-flats My own opinion, as provided to similar clients, is that you would be wise to engage the services of a carpenter/joiner that has demonstrable competence and experience working with timber-based fire doors. They can inspect the flat entrance door and carry out sensible upgrades to make sure the door self-closes completely and reliably. Also fitting suitable intumescent edge seals & smoke seals, making sure gaps between the door and frame are within the 2mm to 4mm guidance and that the door is aligned with its door frame. There may be other issues but an inspection check by a competent person should reveal these.

There are timber fire doors that can have large clear glazed panels. These are a common solution where a larger amount of borrowed light is necessary. eg.