Flats, apartments and fire risk assessments.
The tragic fire at Lakanal House, Camberwell, London in the summer of 2009 has focused attention on the lack of adequate fire risk assessments* undertaken by local authorities and private landlords.
In turn, the BBC and Inside Housing Magazine have highlighted many issues related to fire doors in their own investigations into the inspections of medium / high rise blocks. (See BWF news related stories)
These include
- Defective doors
- Doors with no intumescent strips
- Doors with no permanent self-closers
- Door closers removed or disconnected
- Doors wedged open
- Unidentified or non-certificated fire doors
- Standard internal doors instead of fire doors
- Incorrectly rated doors - 1/2 hour instead of 1 hour fire doors
- Fire doors replaced by PVC doors
* Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order : 2005 - (Often referred to as the RRO or FSO)
How we can help you.
To help understand the fire door requirements for flats and apartments, the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme has produced a simple summary sheet of Building Regulation requirements related to these buildings.
NOTE : This information refers to the use of 30 min (FD30) fire doors. In some instances a 60 min (FD60) fire door may be required.
Since many of these buildings differ in design and layout, you are advised to check with the local building control officer if you have any doubt about the need for fire doors. It is always safer to install a fire door than take a risk by using a standard door.
Our Fact Card 10 gives guidance on the Regulatory Reform Order and provides a simple checklist for fire door installations.
There is lots more information on how fire doors work and why you need to use the correct compatible components in our film "Fire Doors - Your Responsibility"
Fire Door Seminars
We are currently planning a series of seminar days - "Passive Fire Protection - The RRO and you" which will be scheduled to take place around the UK during 2010.
The programme will be designed to cover a range of topics explaining the passive fire protection which is built into the structure of a building, including fire doors and their components.
If you would like to register your interest in these seminars, please email us with your name, organisation and address details. We will inform you of the final programme details and seminar locations when details are finalised.
CPD seminar presentations
Our members are able to offer CPD seminars on a variety of topics related to fire doors and their components. In addition, we are able to tailor training days or workshops specifically suited to your needs. Click here to download our current CPD programme.
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