Our new (8 Years Old) Terrace house has had internal chain door closurers removed?

coffee_king

Hi there
I was wondering if anyone can clear this up?
We're in the process of buying a new build (well, 8 years old) end terrace house. When we went round the house I noticed that the current owners had removed the internal chain door closers off all of the internal doors. I imagine they would look like this having seen similar things before.

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB_Detail/669611.jpg

Now, I know why they would want to remove them as who wants the doors shut in their house all the time (not me anyway)?

But WHY were they put in in the first place? Also by removing them, does this invalidate the buildings and/or contents insurance?

I understand why they put these kinds of things in modern apartments/flats as it stops fires from spreading and burning down 100's of apartments, but in a terrace house I cant see the point as much?

None of the houses I have ever lived in (ok none are new builds) have had these door closers. Nor has it been demanded that they are put in?

Thanks
coffee_king

poppysarah

No loft conversion?

coffee_king

No
thanks
coffee_king

Mum_of_3_3

Are you sure they have removed them? We have them on a couple of our doors and you can unhook them from the door frame and they pop back into the door.

It's a right royal pita to get them back out again (oh used pliers and a lot of swearing), but you can I think get proper tools that do the job which would make it easier.

No idea why they would put them into a 'normal' 2-storey house though? Maybe just H&S/building regs overkill on the developers part?

M_o_3

coffee_king

Hi
Yes, they have been fully removed, but surely it doesnt matter if they have been disconnected or removed as its the same thing really as they are not doing the job they have been put in for.
Oh, I forgot to mention its a 3 story house (as in ground floor, 1st floor, second floor), I dont know if that makes any difference?
Thanks
Coffee_king

F_T_Buyer

Yep, 3 story house requires firedoors - hence the self closing thing. Up to you if you want to cause a fuss, not sure about the insurance - you could ask them, but I'd could guess what they would say.

Gwhiz

My last 3 houses were on 3= floors and all had these. My day 1 job was always to remove them (or at least unscrew one end so they did not close the doors anymore) as they are a pain in the backside

coffee_king

Can anyone point me to somewhere online that states that these are mandatory?
Thanks
coffee_king

sshaw101

Hi,

Back when the house was built it was a condition of Building Control that these be installed on all flats and three storey houses as they are fire doors.

They got rid of this rule as they realised everyone was taking them off (kids getting fingers shut in doors etc). However I believe that if they were installed with the door they should be there.

I am sure the insurance company would try every trick in the book to get out of a claim so i would either get written confirmation from the insurance company that these are not required or ask the vendors to put them back.

G_M

Really not worth hasling about.

If that's all you can find to complain about to the vendors, think yourself lucky!

If you think it's a fire risk and/or insurance problem, then once you've moved in buy some more and fit them. Just one of those jobs in a new home like changing the front door lock and cleaning the loo.

SquatNow

They would probably be quite handy in terms of keeping heating costs down as you wouldn't need to heat rooms unless you want to.

I imagine they'll become madatory again in the near future as part of the governments energy saving initiatives.