New safety rules for buildings 11 metres (five storeys) or higher came into effect in January 2023.
These regulations recognise that fire doors play a crucial role in stopping the spread of fire and smoke.
That's why we need to check your flat entrance door once a year, whether you rent or own your home, to make sure it meets the latest safety standards. We also need to check all communal fire doors four times a year
Here are some frequently asked questions about fire doors, the checks we need to carry out, and why it’s so important to give our surveyors access. This short video clip shows you what parts of your flat front door we need to look at - and how you can check it yourself.
1. What are fire doors?
Fire doors are fitted in our buildings to reduce the spread of fire and smoke and ensure you have the best level of protection in the unlikely event of a fire. They’re made up of a number of essential features, all of which are designed to resist fire for a certain length of time. In Q4 you can see an illustration of the typical features of flat entrance doors.
2. Why do they need to be checked?
If a fire door is damaged or altered it may not stop fire and smoke from spreading, which could put lives at risk.
3. Who carries out the checks?
We’ve appointed three specialist contractors to carry out the checks on our behalf and they’ll be in touch to let you know when they’ll be visiting your building.
4. What do the checks involve?
Watch this video or view the illustration below to see the features that are looked at during the check:
- The self-closer (the mechanism which closes the door automatically, such as the overhead fitting in the illustration).
- The door, door frame and hinges.
- The gaps at the side, top and bottom of the door.
- The seals fitted around the door or frame – they’re intumescent, which means they expand when exposed to heat and stop the spread of any smoke, fire or fumes.
5. How long does it take to carry out a check?
It’s a short visual check which takes only a couple of minutes.
6. What happens if my flat entrance door needs repairing?
If you rent your home, a repair will be raised or, depending on the extent of the damage/problem, a replacement door might be needed. If you’re a leaseholder and are responsible for your front door (it depends on your lease), we’ll explain what the issue is so that you know what repair is needed.
7. If my front door needs upgrading or replacing, who pays for it?
We cover the cost of all replacement doors or upgrades on our tenanted homes. If you're a leaseholder and are responsible for your flat front door, we'll get in touch to discuss your options.