New Fire Doors with no strips or seals

[Guest Mark]

Hi

I have recently stayed in several hotels less than two years old which appear to have fire door provision sorted (correct place, self closers, three hinges etc etc yet absolutely no intumescent strips or cold smoke seals). They are on escape routes rather than as guest doors. How is this compliant? Thanks Mark

[Tom Sutton]

If the hotel was upgraded before BS 476 – 22: 1987 then any fire doors would have met the previous standard which had 25mm rebates no seals or strips.

This has been a subject of an appeal regarding bedroom doors and it was agreed that providing the doors are substantial, well-fitting then seals and strips do not need to be fitted until the door needs replacing, then the new fire door will meet the latest standard. This is also detailed in the guidance Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats.

I would think as this applies to bedroom doors then it would apply to all fire doors in the premises.