Fire Door Requirement

PhoenixFlames

Hi

I've received a letter from the managing agents about having the front door inspected for fire safety.

I live in a ground floor flat that has its own dedicated porch and exit outside into a large front area that then leads onto the street.  I have no communal areas or stairs at all and am completely self contained.  I am also able to exit via any of the windows at the back of the property as they can open out completely (sideways).  There are two floors above me that have their own respective communal halls.  

My understanding is my front door doesn't need to be a FD30 Fire Door as they are required only when opening into either internal escape routes, or communal areas.  Is this correct?  

I'm a bit baffled at the idea they want me to change my nice standard uPVC front door for one with no letterbox and an automatic closer.  The person I spoke to didn't seem to understand quite what I was saying so before I write to them, I want to be more sure that I'm interpreting this correctly.  

I've googled and found plenty of statements (London Fire Brigade for example) that say they are a legal requirement for flats that open onto communal areas (which makes perfect sense) but can't find something that states it is not required in my situation.    

Many thanks 

LHCalc123

If you're not leading to a communal area you won't need it changing. They have likely sent out a generic letter to all their leaseholders without taking into consideration those properties such as yours.

When the surveyor attends,  I imagine they will report back and your property will be removed from their programme. 

daveyjp

Before that detail which party is responsible for maintenance and repair of external doors?  Your lease will have the info.

PhoenixFlames

THanks LHCalc123.  A different person rang me back this morning and confirmed exactly what you said and they've noted down now that my property doesn't need this in future.