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Ivor  
#1 Posted : 05 August 2011 13:37:50(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Ivor

Hello can anyone please give me some advice.

I have been asked to carry out a fire door inspection on a 1960 small lock of flats (20). All doors have closers. but no Insumescant strips etc. The Fire authority has deemed all to be ok.

Q/ Should the doors be fitted retrospectively with strips or as the Fire Authority states all is fine, there is no requirement for the doors to be fitted out?

Many thanks
firesafety101  
#2 Posted : 05 August 2011 14:16:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

The fire authority is the enforcement agency for rrfso therefore why think you need do more?

I doubt if the smoke seals (not in tumescent strips) would fit the doors as there would not be the necessary grooves to take the seals in doors that old.

Just make sure the doors close positively into the frames and are not wedged open by the occupiers.

Safety Smurf  
#3 Posted : 05 August 2011 14:18:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

Ivor wrote:
Hello can anyone please give me some advice.

I have been asked to carry out a fire door inspection on a 1960 small lock of flats (20). All doors have closers. but no Insumescant strips etc. The Fire authority has deemed all to be ok.

Q/ Should the doors be fitted retrospectively with strips or as the Fire Authority states all is fine, there is no requirement for the doors to be fitted out?

Many thanks


Did they specifically say it was ok? or have you just assumed that is implied because they didn't mention it?
GTM  
#4 Posted : 05 August 2011 14:26:41(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
GTM

Hello Ivor; try the Fire.org website for Fire Authority advice on fitting intumescent strips to Fire Doors. It is correct that there is no Legal requirement to fit them retrospectively IF the Fire Inspectorate (FI) are happy that the current door fit/seal is adequate in preventing the passage of cold smoke. This assessment would be carried out within the Fire Risk Assessment element of you work, subsequently sighted by the FI and coupled with their inspection and confirmation of your assessment. Regional FI are happy to drop in and offer advice on Fire Safety and guidance etc.

Older style doors are nout routed to accept intumescent fire and smoke seals, therefore if the FI disagree with your assessment and find the current fit not adequate, you would need to hire a joiner to remove the door, carry out routing, fit the smoke/heat strip and re-hang the door; unless of course your DIY skills are up to grade, which in finality would of course be the decision of the FI carrying a post works inspection.

I am currently having 22 older style doors removed, routed, fitted and re-hung but that is because we are a Hospital with vulnerable patients and increased risk accordingly.

MaxPayne  
#5 Posted : 05 August 2011 15:02:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

SBH  
#6 Posted : 05 August 2011 15:10:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

Graham Muir wrote:
Hello Ivor; try the Fire.org website for Fire Authority advice on fitting intumescent strips to Fire Doors. It is correct that there is no Legal requirement to fit them retrospectively IF the Fire Inspectorate (FI) are happy that the current door fit/seal is adequate in preventing the passage of cold smoke. This assessment would be carried out within the Fire Risk Assessment element of you work, subsequently sighted by the FI and coupled with their inspection and confirmation of your assessment. Regional FI are happy to drop in and offer advice on Fire Safety and guidance etc.

Older style doors are nout routed to accept intumescent fire and smoke seals, therefore if the FI disagree with your assessment and find the current fit not adequate, you would need to hire a joiner to remove the door, carry out routing, fit the smoke/heat strip and re-hang the door; unless of course your DIY skills are up to grade, which in finality would of course be the decision of the FI carrying a post works inspection.

I am currently having 22 older style doors removed, routed, fitted and re-hung but that is because we are a Hospital with vulnerable patients and increased risk accordingly.


SBH  
#7 Posted : 05 August 2011 15:12:32(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

Surely if you are tampering with doors - you would need to ensure the door frame is art of the set to ensure it is a fire door

SBH
firesafety101  
#8 Posted : 05 August 2011 16:58:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

There are joiners with third party competence do do such work, you need to ensure your joiner is competent?
messyshaw  
#9 Posted : 05 August 2011 23:26:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
messyshaw

Call me old fashioned, but if a RP has carried out what they believe is a suitable & sufficient FRA, and that has been ratified by a fire safety audit from an enforcing agency* - why worry?

Unless the risks have changed, or you believe the FRA and enforcers are wrong, leave it and walk away


* Trust me, if a fire authority (or other enforcer) wasn't happy with the provision or standard of fire doors in a residential block, they would definitely mention it - and in writing. Since Lakanhall House (multi fatal fire in London), 'residential' audits (common parts) are taken very seriously indeed
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