Council flat front fire door installation?

Council flat front fire door installation?

0:02 AM, 30th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago 7

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Hi, I am a leaseholder of council flat and recently got letter from the council that I need to upgrade my front fire door as they saying that my current old front (internal) door is not compiled with 2005 fire regulations.

They gave me chance to do the job with their contractor who will start installing fire doors with other council tenants. I contacted the contractor for a quote, but they came back with a price of £4,500, which I find extremely high and unaffordable.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do in this situation?

Thank you,

Anjan


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NewYorkie

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11:42 AM, 30th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Outrageous cost, but these contractors are used to incompetent council/housing association employees who will spend other people's money.
Get your own quotation from a different supplier.
I am a RTM director, and our managing agent recently had a fire safety survey by a 'specialist' company. We weren't happy with the pricing and work required, and got a second survey from a company who only do the survey. Big difference in what's needed!
You may find you don't actually need a new door, and maybe fire seals and even intumescent paint could do the job.

Judith Wordsworth

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12:00 PM, 30th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

As NewYorkie stated you may not need a new flat front door depending on what type of door it is.

If already, which it is likely to be, F30 (possibly as ex Council F60) then you may only need a door closure (from £16);
intumescent strips (can be surface mounted or rebated about £2.50 a length) around the top and side (unless the gap at the bottom of the door is larger than allowed and you need to get a separate drop down seal fitted about £25);
3 fire hinges (£6);
Euro thumb latches (£10-£25) OR if you already have a Chubb lock blank off the keyhole on the inside of the door so a key cannot be used to lock the door or if you have a night latch it needs to be one you cannot lock from the inside with a key;
can have a letterbox but it must be an intumescent letterbox with an intumescent liner that will expand and seal off the letterbox in the event of a fire, preventing any smoke or fire from passing through it.

https://www.safelincs.co.uk
Flat front doors https://www.safelincs.co.uk/pas-24-fire-doors/

https://www.firesealsdirect.co.uk/
or wickes/screwfix/toolstation etc

and get a carpenter to fit.
A new F30 fire door

Simon F

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15:02 PM, 30th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

As others say, it's really important to understand first of all if it should be 30 minute rated (FD30S) or 60 minute rated (FD60S); I guess that will depend on the scale and level of occupation of the building as a whole and if the overall Fire Action Plan is 'simultaneous evacuation' or 'stay put'. The notice you have should say if 30 or 60 minute rated, and if not ask for that clarification. £4500 is way too much, especially if only an FD30.

havens havens

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16:55 PM, 30th September 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Have you considered getting quotes from other contractors? The price from the council's contractor seems high, and you might find a better deal elsewhere. It could also be worth reaching out to the council to discuss your concerns—they may have options for tenants in your situation. If you feel comfortable, you could explore DIY options or look into community resources for help.

Anjan Anjan

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18:54 PM, 3rd October 2024, About A week ago

Thank you everyone.I emailed council more than week ago no reply as yet. let's see. Although my front door is very old but it's made of very solid timber more than 44mm thick , it has 3 hinges already and auto closure system. Council want FD30s door. If council allow me to do the job privately ,I might check different contractor and do some upgrades or if find reasonable price probably new door .

Simon F

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22:20 PM, 3rd October 2024, About A week ago

Reply to the comment left by Anjan Anjan at 03/10/2024 - 18:54
Sounds like FD30, so might just need intumescent strips and smoke seals. If the gap between door and frame is 3-4mm both sides and top, you might even be able to use the surface mounted type (easy to install on DIY basis) and available online.

Landlord X

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14:51 PM, 6th October 2024, About 6 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Anjan Anjan at 03/10/2024 - 18:54
The very grey area of fire safety…. This is all off the back of grenfell and people in flats changing front doors generally to pvcu.
First you need to understand why they are asking for a fire door which would also include a frame hence the 4.5k quote. The common area also deemed the means of escape (MOE) is generally the responsibility of management or council, this area was in some debate as to who is responsible for ensuring its fire resistance is up to scratch in order to perform the buildings evacuation procedures. Now prescriptive fire safety measures went in 2005 with the regulatory reform order and a fire risk assessment should detail risks and hazards and the appropriate/reasonable measures put in place. The law doesn’t say u need a fire door.
So if it is agreed that home owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are to provide reasonable protection to the MOE then this can be achieved in many ways. Eg. You could lobby your entrance.
Like I mentioned you can’t just say it needs a 30 min fire door you need to assess risk, evac time/procedure, is there common part detection etc to then decide what the required measures should be. Unfortunately most fire risk assessors just preach British standards as they dont understand fire safety!
Ask for the common part FRA, ask them for what other alternatives they have considered. If 4.5k per door how many doors on block…. Might get sprinklers in cheaper🤷‍♂️.
Just remember legislation states reasonable measures to appease fire safety Act. Good luck

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