Door Handles and Latches not fire rated on FD30 internal door

[Heidi]

Hello, I am changing non fire rated internal doors to FD30 with new rated linings/intumescent strips and a fire rated door leaf. However I want to fit non fire rated quality solid brass/PVD finish sprung door handles and latches (for design reasons).  I intend to upgrade the existing solid timber front door with intumescent strips and door closer, fire rated handles etc, fit smoke and fire alarms etc.

I read on the forum that as long as they are fitted correctly with intumescent pads and do not compromise the integrity of the door they could be considered 'nominal' fire doors - have I misunderstood this? 

It is 1 bed flat (top floor) in a purpose built 3 storey block with 15 flats, open deck access to single staircase built in 1980's. I will be renting out and I am considering doing short term lets eventually living there myself in the future. 

From my understanding this may be outside the scope of the 'Small paying-guest accommodation - Guides & checklist’  and needs to comply with 'Fire Safety Order' and 9281_Sleeping_Accomodation_v2 and I have referenced Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats (July 2011), draft version of BS-9991-fire-safety-in-the-design-management-and-use-of-residential-buildings due 27 Nov. My exact situation and layout however is not identified on any layout examples so I have made an assessment.

 

The flat layout for living or long term renting currently doe not require FD30 doors internally only the external exit door (bedroom is closest to exit, longest travel distance is 9m living rm), and for short term lets nominal FD30 (minimum) are needed, I understand there is a revised version of Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats due this year. 

 

My approach is - if a certified FD30 (beyond nominal fire door) does become a requirement to internal doors I can change out the handles and latches for certified products. Does this sound a feasible approach? Thank you for your help.

[Mike North]

If you put unapproved furniture on the door it will not longer be a certified door.

[Heidi]

1 hour ago, Mike North said:

If you put unapproved furniture on the door it will not longer be a certified door.

Thanks for replying Mike.

I understand it will no longer be certified.

Will it become a 'nominal' door in this instance?

To clarify the timber FD30 door/frame will be fitted to specification with FD30 hinges, intumescent strips in frame, hinges.

Also the non approved handles (handle is screw on bolt through with integral spring) and latch will all be wrapped/fitted with intumescent pads and will not compromise the door leaf and frame.

Install will be fitted by a competent person.

Thank you

[Daniel Bennett]

Hello Heidi. Thanks for reaching out with this excellent question! Unfortunately, I don't believe the situation you have described would be deemed suitable under the scope of any legislation or guidance for fire doors or fire safety in blocks of flats.

 

On 21/11/2024 at 17:51, Heidi said:

fit non fire rated quality solid brass/PVD finish sprung door handles and latches

On 21/11/2024 at 17:51, Heidi said:

as long as they ... do not compromise the integrity of the door

If the door was non-latching and you were simply fitting handles to the surface then you may have been fine, depending on the door's certificate and the installation method, but even that isn't guaranteed. However, the mechanism for a latch is fitted inside the door leaf and the associated handles attach to it through the leaf, which thoroughly compromises its integrity.

 

On 21/11/2024 at 17:51, Heidi said:

I can change out the handles and latches for certified products

This is also unlikely to be accepted. Modification to a fire door leaf / set must be done by a competent person (i.e. knowledgeable, skilled, and / or experienced with working on certified fire doors) and only in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the certificate for that particular door leaf. Fitting a fire rated latch and handles in accordance with such is fine, but fitting a non-rated mechanism would not be in line with the certificate or instructions, and replacing such a thing with a fire rated mechanism could require removal of more material and back-filling previously removed material, unless the mechanisms are identical in size and shape, which would further deviate from the original certificate and further compromise the door's integrity.