A quick guide to fire safety in flats

All residential buildings such as flats and apartments need to be constructed to strict building regulations with regards to fire safety – and one of the most important components of that safety is the entrance doors. All external fire doors for flats need to meet the legal requirements for not only fire safety, but also sound, ventilation, accessibility and safety glazing.

Here are some aspects of fire doors for flats to be aware of:

Minimum 30 minute fire resistance

All flat entrance fire doors should have a minimum of thirty minutes certified resistance to fire and smoke (FD30 door). The better option, though, is to install an FD60 fire door giving that extra protection time that may be vital in allowing safe exit from a building in the event of a fire outbreak.

The front door of each individual flat needs to have installed a certified and tested fire door that is fitted with appropriate intumescent strips, smoke seals and a self-closing mechanism. Note that, whilst it is not mandatory for a flat’s internal doors to be fitted with self-closers, it IS advisable – most fires in flats occur within the flats themselves, not in the communal areas, so any barrier to slow down or resist the spread of flames and smoke could be vital.

Third party certification ensure doors meet safety regulations

All fire doors and doorsets must be tested before installation to prove that they perform to the mandatory safety regulations and standards. It is best practice to have these fire doors third party certificated by an independent authorised party thus providing separate, impartial verification as to the fire doors’ design and manufacture.

All fire doors should carry a traceability mark on the door leaf edge to ensure a permanent link back to the certification so that the manufacturer, building owner or other relevant party can reference it at any time.

Fire door components must also comply

All the door furniture (ironmongery) is also critical to the performance of the fire door – all closers, hinges, locks and latches must comply with the stated mandatory certifications. This obviously also applies to the handles and the vitally important smoke seals.

Entrance don’t need to look unattractive

Although the main function of flat entrance fire doors or external fire doors for flats is to provide safety and protection against potential fire outbreaks, it does not mean that they need to appear industrial or unattractive. Entrance fire doors can be installed with a range of great, attractive finishes that provide your building with a complementary appearance as well the important fire safety protection.

Be aware of other fire hazards

]The old adage of ‘prevention being better than cure’ is applicable when it comes to fire safety. It is good practice to ensure that you do not overload electrical appliances and plugs, do not leave any cooking unattended and to ensure that any naked flames (candles etc) are properly and safely extinguished before leaving a room.

Another point worth mentioning is all flats should be equipped with a working smoke alarm that is tested regularly. Whilst the fire doors will provide you with important protection, the smoke alarm is usually the first warning you will get of the fire outbreak.

Enfield Doors

Our team of experts is always on hand to guide you and give you sound and pragmatic advice based on years of experience and successful installations.

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