Forced to have a new GRP Composite fire front door installed

General_query

Hi,

We are council tenants and part of the decent homes upgrades we have been told we're having done is a new GRP composite fire front door (and frame) as our flat is above a row of shops with the only access/exit to the flats is along a landing with just one staircase.

We currently have a good, really thick strong wooden front door with a peep hole door viewer, security chain, door bolt and I paid for an extra BS 5 lever mortice lock to be fitted. The council also put in a floor to ceiling metal security grille to cover the glass panel to the right of the door.

We have been told we can't refuse these new front door as it a legal requirement to have a 30 minute retardant fire front door, which is fine. However they have also told us:

A further lock would not be able to be fitted as this this does not meet the fireregulation and due to it being a fire door, we can't install a peep hole viewer as this does not meet the fire regulation.

The full frame will be replaced this includes the side panelalong with the glass which will be fire rated. The letterbox will be in themiddle of the door with a cowl which prevents people putting their handsthrough.

So, we're getting a new front multi-locking front door but can't have any extra security such a door chain, bolts, extra locks (even if I pay for it) and more importantly, a door view finder/peep hole.

We're not happy with this, and they aren't even putting the metal security grille back up afterwards.

How good is a GRP composite door, and if they are good, do we not need the chains, bolts etc I currently have. Couldn't live without a door view finder though, I only open door to people I know / am expecting.

Also, have seen horror stories over cheap euro-cyclinder locks being snapped to break in in mere seconds. Anything I should try and insist is present in the new front door please?

I know I only rent the flat but feel like I'm being left vulnerable with no extra security being fitted once the new door is in.

I have seen normal uPVC doors being kicked in on Youtube far too easily and Euro-cyclinder locks being snapped in mere seconds.

We won't feel safe anymore.

LEJC

We have a composite front door and its far more substantial and sturdy than a upvc...
previously we had wood with 2 locks in line with our insuance requirements ...but the composite has a different locking system which although its only one key and one lock,it activates a locking system running up the door which secures in 4 places.

go and have a look at the type of door thats being proposed...I would rate composite over wood or upvc anytime and have had mine for almost 2 years with no problems

Cant comment over the spyhole...we dont have one sorry.

PheoUK

The composite door will be a multi point locking system (ie it will attach in many places to the frame) held in place by the main euro cylinder lock. So you do not need to add additional locks.

The euro cylinder itself can be a weak point. Ask for the spec of the lock being added. Specifically look for Sold Secure Diamond Cerofication.

If it does not have this, then it's £35 for a sold secure diamond lock which no one will get through, and you can fit it yourself in seconds. Look for ABS Avocet or BreakSecure XP locks. Failing that you could do what I have done and fit a 1 * lock and security handle. Again, easy to do.

With all this having been said, and regarding the security grill, when was the last time someone's front door or side window got kicked in? Unless you are in a crime hotspot I think you should consider the real risk.

Additionally, I would say the composite door is significantly more secure than your wooden one.

Also consider you'll be mic safer in the event of a fire!

stator

Could you fit a doorbell/buzzer with integrated security camera to replace the peephole?

General_query

stator wrote: »

Could you fit a doorbell/buzzer with integrated security camera to replace the peephole?

Someone round here would nick it!

General_query

PheoUK wrote: »

The composite door will be a multi point locking system (ie it will attach in many places to the frame) held in place by the main euro cylinder lock. So you do not need to add additional locks.

The euro cylinder itself can be a weak point. Ask for the spec of the lock being added. Specifically look for Sold Secure Diamond Cerofication.

If it does not have this, then it's £35 for a sold secure diamond lock which no one will get through, and you can fit it yourself in seconds. Look for ABS Avocet or BreakSecure XP locks. Failing that you could do what I have done and fit a 1 * lock and security handle. Again, easy to do.

With all this having been said, and regarding the security grill, when was the last time someone's front door or side window got kicked in? Unless you are in a crime hotspot I think you should consider the real risk.

Additionally, I would say the composite door is significantly more secure than your wooden one.

Also consider you'll be mic safer in the event of a fire!

Cheers for that! Have done a lot of googling and this is def. what I want as I doubt the council's door will even have 1 star rating and it looks easy to replace.

http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk/abs-secure.asp


Thing that worries me is that they could keep a key without me knowing, as whenever I need repairs etc doing, I have to take a day off work to let them in. They always "recommend" leaving a key with the housing office. No way! I'm not leaving a key to my flat for any Tom, !!!!!! or Harry to gain access and have an unsupervised wander around, hence why I had the extra BS 5 lever mortice lock added at my own expense.

And yes, I have seen many battered doors around these parts unfortunately, again, that's why I feel secure with my current extra lock, door bolt and chain and their security grille.

General_query

...and would having a door view finder / peep hole really ruin the doors integrity? I have seen plenty of people selling composite doors online with view finders.

Surely if it can have a hole cut out for a letterbox, then you can have a tiny 1" door viewfinder?

I know people say the viewfinder isn't fire resistant for 30 minutes though....

casper_g

Fire-rated composite front doors are certainly availble with spyholes and security chains, see e.g. http://www.ashfordcommercial.co.uk/composite-door. I would expect most manufacturers to offer similar options.

Either the person you spoke to at the council doesn't know this, or they want to buy a job lot of doors and can't be bothered catering for your individual needs. Maybe speaking/writing to your local councillor might help?

General_query

casper_g wrote: »

Fire-rated composite front doors are certainly availble with spyholes and security chains, see e.g. http://www.ashfordcommercial.co.uk/composite-door. I would expect most manufacturers to offer similar options.

Either the person you spoke to at the council doesn't know this, or they want to buy a job lot of doors and can't be bothered catering for your individual needs. Maybe speaking/writing to your local councillor might help?

This is my local council here, so the above applies!

I still want to try and fight for a bloody door view finder as I believe they have to be "installed" at the time of manufacture with composite doors?

I have also just found these:
http://www.optiviewer.co.uk/applications/fire-door-application/

and

http://shop.stormflame.com/fire-rated-door-viewer-628-p.asp only costs £15, so I have got them over that > we can't install a peep hole viewer as this does not meet the fire regulation.

Thanks for the replies people :beer:

What is GRP by the way?

wealdroam

General_query wrote: »

What is GRP by the way?

GRP = Glass Reinforced Plastic

General_query

Thanks, just googled it as you answered!