Fire Doors

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Council installing fire doors in 10 floor block of flats. Door too heavy for disable elderly people to open and for families with children as they closers too quickly and can easily get locked out. Some had the closers taken off but council wants to keep installing them.

Do not think council had fire assessment of block done of the block therefore is this legal as some people may not be able to get out if there is a fire in their home. Not sure if there is alternative for tenants using them daily it will make their lives a nightmare. Is it OK for tenants to ask to see fire assessment done for the doors being insalled. Told by contractors that doors are 30 minutes fire [FONT=&quot]resistances[/FONT]. No other fire doors in the block only into people flats/homes. :T

AnotherJoe

Try local councillors or MP

robin58

Usually the reason they put on closers onto fire doors is make sure the door gets closed. If they don't then there is no 30 minute fire protection as their is usually a fire reactive strip around the doors edges which seals the fire on the other side of the door..

I would assume the problem would be the adjustment of the timing of the door closer mechanism.

Or it could be the contractors are putting on the wrong types closers. Yes there is more than one type of closer would you believe

Personally I would go to the council first via a Councillor.

PasturesNew

As bizarre as it sounds, in some instances they don't expect people to get out - they expect the fire measures to hold the fire at bay until the fire brigade arrive and put it out.

Of course, if the fire's in the flat next to an elderly person who is too small/weak to open the door, then that's a problem to be resolved.

But, just be aware that in a fire situation "everybody out" isn't necessarily the only course of action in a plan.

tealady

Hi
Try ringing your local fire brigade on the non emergency number. They may come out and inspect and give advice.

anselld

The purpose of fire doors on flat entrances is to contain the fire inside the flat in which it started and protect the escape route for the benefit of other flats. They need to be heavy, but should be fitted with adequate grip handles and the correct closers, etc.

The other option for doors which need to be frequently open is to fit a magnetic release linked to the alarm system. This holds the door open unless fire is detected.

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With a onversation with contract manager its seem 'stay put' is the recommendations. Residents that have had doors fitted seems to be having problems with opening them and keeping them open to get with children as they close too quickly also two locks on them is a problme.

Having meeting today concerning the doors plus progress of them being installed, it seem contractors wants them done and the council wants them to finish on time also. Hopefully will get some more information on them at meeting today. Contractors said there was a meeting with residents some time last year but cannot find anyone that attended it, it seems no one was informed about meeting despite contractors saying one took place.

Will post after meeting today with contractors not sure if council will be there but thanks everyone for really helpful replies and will bring it up at meeting.

Many thanks everyone for really helpful replies.

dimbo61

You and the rest of the tenants are living in a 10 storey building.
Fire doors are a legal requirement and have to be built to withstand FIRE for more than 30 minutes.
They are going to be heavy and thick but if the building is on fire they WILL save lives.
You cannot and should not block them so they are open or remove the closers on them.
I would still want to be out of any building that is on fire asap.
I am sure the lifts carry signs which say do not use in the event of a fire !!! But how do elderly people get down 6/7/8/9 flights of stairs quickly ?

robin58

OP I hope you get your answers to your questions from your council.

The importance of fire doors in a flat complex came in clear focus to me in my home town of Southend this weekend when a fire was set in the communal area next to a flat on the 9th floor of a 13 storie block.

The pregnant lady in that flat was trapped (more down to where the fire was), badly hurt and was taken to hospital. She has since unfortunately died of her injuries.

This is the reason fire doors are put in high rise flats, as no other flats were effected because of them

But I have never seen 7 fire engines from all over lower Essex in one place at one time before so it was a bad fire.

AdrianC

Fire doors in a large building are a legal requirement. Closers on doors mean they ARE fire doors.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/02/04/fire-door-warning-following-fatal-tower-block-blaze/