Neil Ashdown MAFDI

Yes, as you have picked up - the lipping must be flush with the face of the door. So lipping may be replaced or added to the edges of the door but the hardwood must be of the correct dimensions, species, density and fitted with the correct adhesive. This type of 'repair' is very likely to fall outside the scope of the fire resistance performance certification for the door and therefore the certification would become invalid.

Before you fill that gap with intumescent or non-combustible material check that: The fire door leaf does not sit proud of the door frame at any point. Have the hinges been checked for compatibility with the fire door leaf, in terms of fire rating and dimensions? Are these 'extended butts', are the fire doors intended to open to 180 deg?

https://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-door-installation/

The product data sheet or installation instructions for the door leaf will advise what materials are permitted for the door frame.

As Nick T says above, the thickness of the hardwood lipping would very likely be outside the scope of the door's Assessment report for fire resistance were they carrying any evidence of performance. You state that the door is a Nominal fire door which means in the opinion of the 'competent person' that the door has the attributes of a fire door but that there is no evidence of fire resistance performance. Therefore, whilst it is likely that the door could be non-compliant to its original manufacturer's 'certification' there is no documentary evidence to confirm this in absolute terms. I would advise the Responsible Person to risk assess in terms of how critical are the fire doors to life safety and building safety should they fail to provide their ultimate required fire resistance performance. Also, the gap between the door top edge and the underside of the door frame head appears to be excessive. Generally, it should be between 2mm and 4mm so there could be an issue with cold smoke spread as well as fire resistance performance. Also, the door-closer arm configuration is incorrect. The adjustable arm should be at 90 deg. to the door frame head with the tensioning-arm canted over accordingly. Remediating this will very likely improve the door-closer performance.

These signs are designed so that the lollipop shaped blue coloured sign is conspicuous when the door is open. Eg: when there is potential for danger. Consult the document: Code of practice. Hardware for fire & escape doors, section 10 deals with signs, at http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf

Consult the 1990 version of the standard BS 8214 Timber-based fire door assemblies - Code of practice. https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/code-of-practice-for-fire-door-assemblies-with-non-metallic-leaves/standard

Looks like a composite construction flat entrance door and looks similar to one I have seen before by Manse Masterdoor. What makes you believe the core is solid timber?

Best solution is to fit floor springs and pivots. See page 39 of the document Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors - Code of practice http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf

That's useful to know, Anthony. Do you have link (and page/section number) to the gov guidance document?

From what you say it seems clear that area of the house could be at risk from the effects of a fire in the garage. I would consult the housing department at your local authority on this matter.

Yes the entrance door to your flat should be fire resisting and with restricted cold smoke spread.

Its actually BS 7352 Grade 8 dating back from the 1990s. In those days, prior to its replacement BS EN 1935 2002, that type of hinge would have been used for Fire Doors. If the hinge is damaged or worn then replace all hinges on that door with their modern equivalent to BS EN 1935 minimum Grade 11

This web page may be of use https://www.safelincs.co.uk/dorgard-and-other-fire-door-retainers/?fga=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPHoBRC3ARIsALfx-_KyYyOV-N89A62lUXg5rqol-n7fyaLCx-wcVIx2tZaAZIVSKZrvQqsaArbQEALw_wcB

I have inspected many fire doors to stair and lift lobbies at blocks of flats. Some older blocks have doors without vision panels but clearly a door in such a location is safer for the user when there's a vision panel.

The main issue is that a standard intumescent air transfer grille will not restrict the spread of cold smoke. Also, installation of such a device should be done by a competent person so as to ensure the door's fire integrity performance is not compromised. If the door in question opens on to an escape route, there is a risk that cold smoke from inside (in a fire event) may impede persons attempting to use the escape route. Your fire risk assessment should note this and recommend action accordingly.

In my view, the mirror is rather large and heavy. I would not recommend fitting such a mirror to a fire door due to risk of causing twist to the timber door leaf. Much better on the wall or maybe a wardrobe, if possible.

What size are the screws? Where on the door are you fitting the mirror (will it be near the door edges) and how big and how heavy is it? What have the block owners/mangers said about this?

My understanding is that the doors are FD30s fire resisting doors. Are the rack bolts compliant with paragraphs 6.2.2 and 6.2.3 on page 61 of the document 'Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors' ?

So the door will be a FIRE DOOR KEEP LOCKED and kept locked at all times. The door should be fitted with a fire rated mortice lock and a 'Fire Door Keep Locked' sign to the outside. I assume the door is made from timber based materials. The document 'Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors' at http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf provides the information you need on pages 60 to 68.

Looking at this from the fire door survey point of view. The British Standard for timber-based fire door assemblies (BS 8214) states no requirement with regard to floor coverings at the threshold. Installing a threshold strip to the floor is always preferable as it helps meet compliance with door leaf to floor gap requirements. BS 8214 and BS 9999 refer.

The requirement in terms of threshold gap for a timber based fire door is 3mm max where the door also provides restricted smoke spread. Where restricted smoke spread is not a requirement the max gap is nominally 10mm (sometimes less depending on test evidence). More than 100 is a lot of fire doors (for an industrial premises) so one would ask whether they all really need to provide fire and smoke separation? The building operator should have carried out a fire risk assessment and should carry our periodic fire evacuation drills. From having conducted those a fire strategy document should be available and if it contains sufficient information it should provide details of the locations and ratings of the fire doors. Once you have established which doors are necessary to the fire strategy you will need reference documentation on which to base your upgrading works. A good start would be these two: BS 8214:2016 Timber-based fire door assemblies - Code of practice https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail?pid=000000000030332501 and Code of practice, Hardware for fire & escape doors http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf

Utility room to garage door should be FD30s. Check 'Building Regulations Approved Document B Dwelling Houses' https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200135/approved_documents/63/part_b_-_fire_safety

Hi Steve, Having checked at the BWF website https://www.bwf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/fdd/Firedor_lit/FDS_Certified_Manufacturers.pdf you can see (below) that, referencing the CF658 Certifire certificate the door manufacturer is Fire Doors Limited. If there's a BWF-Certifire label on the top edge or hanging edge of the door leaf it should carry the CF number, the name of the door manufacturer and another number with the prefix A. This provides traceability back to the door manufacturer. If the manufacturer refuses to provide any evidence of fire performance (I don't understand why they wouldn't though) you can access the technical manual and certification for the Strebord door core at https://www.falconpp.co.uk/technical/

The suspension on the production of composite construction fire resisting doors has been lifted. I suggest you contact the Association of Composite Door Manufacturers at http://acdm.co.uk/ for advice. There are also composite construction fire resisting doors on the market that are covered by the Certifire certification scheme and you can find member companies at https://www.warringtonfire.com/certified-companies/certifire