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Posted By Jon B
We have a relatively new build (4 years old) however the door furniture on some fire doors needs replacing. A Couple of doors are very high traffic routes and so I was considering changing a standard handle/latch/lock with a push plate/pull handle.
I appreciate door furniture must be of a suitable standard and can source the correct ones but have been unable to get sound advice on changing types. The manufacturers only suggest speaking to building control and building control simply say fire doors must be latched!! This is despite the fact we have a fire door in our building of the push/pull type and this type can be seen in many public building.
Can anyone offer advice or point me to another source of advice/information.
Thanks in advance
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Posted By Peter Taylor14
see approved document B of the building regs 2000 (fire safety)
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Good evening Jon,
Yes Approved Document B of the building regulations 200 as amended in April 2007 appendix B: Fire Doors is a useful read. In para 12 it states that hardware used on fire doors can significantly affect performance in fire. It says that guidance is available in Hardware for fire and escape doors published by the Builders Hardware Industry Federation, I have Googled the website and it says this may have been superceded by the following document, I attach a telephone number that will probably of more help. DHF's Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors (2006) the tele no is 01344 328300.
Let us know if this is of help.
Regards Bob.
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Posted By Gff
fire doors must be latched?
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Posted By John Lewis
Jon
I would suggest having a chat with the local Fire Safety Officer. In my experience they are very helpful (at least in South Wales) and will be happy to come and talk with you.
It may even work to your benefit because they are usually very receptive to things you would like to do, but are having trouble getting funding for. You may well find a Fire Service recommendation gets more attention than your requests to management. In our factory I took great pleasure in breaking all the glass bolts that had been fitted (some incorrectly) as an "essential" part of fire door furniture after the fire officer said he did not like them.
Did you used to have a sloop?
John
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Posted By Jon B
Thanks for the comments and links - they have proved very useful.
in particular Page 56 of Document B, para 5.11 Fire doors (on escape routes) 'In general....not fitted with lock, latch or bolt fastening is completely at odds with what the building control officer told me.
More useful though was my conversation with a chap from DHF (Door Hardware federation. He confirmed fire doors do not 'need' latches. Indeed any metal work inside the door can actually lower a doors fire protection.
Main thing to stress was that any test carried out with particular hardware is only valid in those circumstances and by changing hardware evidence may be required to prove there is no lowering of protection. E.g removing the existing mortice latch may change how the doors remains shut during a fire, the void left by the lock may need filling with intumescent material. All in all what appears to be a simple maintenance problem can lead to some quite complex issues!!
It worth noting that if you are planning new builds / alterations think do you really need to lock that door? we have 23 that do do require locks but have them, keys to lose etc!!
Thanks again for the advice. John - no sloop but many a drunken night singing about one hic! Beer festival in town so maybe another one tonight!
Jon B
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