Fire Doors

An article published by Inside Housing, a weekly trade publication that covers the UK's social housing sector, has reported that there are tens of thousands of inadequate fire doors in council homes across the UK.

A Freedom of Information Act request by the publication has revealed data on 326,863 doors from 98 councils, which together own well over half of the nation’s local authority housing stock. 

The data reveals that councils believe that 33,522 doors do not provide the minimum 30 minute protection against flames and smoke. This means ​that 1 in 10 flat entrance fire doors installed in their blocks may not be fit for purpose.

Furthermore, only 8% of the doors identified as non-compliant have been replaced, and 44 of the councils questioned have yet to replace a single one.

Councils blamed the slow progress on a lack of clarity from government and the fire door industry about which products to trust.

Do I need Fire Doors?

Building Regulations set-out the following requirements:

Domestic Dwellings

In homes over two storeys high, every door of a habitable room leading to a stairwell must be a fire door  (not including WCs or bathrooms). Fire doors are also required between the house and integral garage (if applicable).

Mixed Use Buildings

Fire doors are also required at the joining points between business and habitual residences.

Non-Domestic Buildings

There is no ‘one size fits all' approach to fire doors for non-domestic buildings due to the huge variation in size and structure. Fire door guidance is divided into two sections, based on vertical and horizontal escape routes. Find out more about Building Regulations for Buildings other than Dwelling houses here.

Unsure about fire doors?

​Contact BBFS now to discuss a fire door survey.