Can I fit night latch on flat front door?

[Guest David lomas]

Hi I'm wondering if I can fit a night latch to a flat front door as it's a fire door also do I need a door closer as it isn't a final exit door ?

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

Hi David,

A flat entrance door opening onto a common area should be a FD30s door so that the common corridor/hall/lobby area is protected in-case of a fire inside the flat. This is so that people may escape safely using the common area without it being compromised by the effects of smoke and fire.

The door must have a BS EN 1154 compliant self-closing device that has been successfully fire performance tested on a FD30 fire door of the type installed at your flat. The door should have a lock / latch fitted that enables key-less egress from inside the flat. If you can find out which company manufactured the fire door you can ask them about the type of lock that may be fitted as well as its position at the locking stile. Some fire doors have a lock-block and installation of the lock is then limited to a defined location.

More information in the LGA document Fire Safety in Purpose Built Blocks of Flats http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Fire safety in purpose built flats.pdf and LACORS guidance https://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/housing_act/lacors_fire_safety.shtml