Fire Doors

[clio222]

Hi all looking for some guidance on this, apologies if its been asked previously. If you require more information then please ask.

It is around Office doors leading in corridor (Escape Route). I have came across Fire doors that lead into a corridor (Means of escape) which have intumescent strips, cold seals, self closers, I have came across Office Doors leading into a corridor which have the mentioned but no self closer, I have come across "Doors" with none of the mentioned criteria, my place of work has all a mixture of all.

It has been raised that a particular corridor, with offices leading into it, have no designated Fire doors ( no self closer, no intumescent strip etc) and as such these should be upgraded to reflect new legislation.

I could be way off however I disagree, even although there is ample documentation to say different.

My reasons are.

When the offices/corridor was built they met the Building standard at the time.
Doors do not need upgrading as there have been no modification/refurbishments, to the offices.
The offices are low risk.
Within the offices any medium/high risk, such as kitchen area have a designated Fire Door.
The corridor itself has Fire doors beginning/end and has been subdivided with Fire Doors.
The corridor itself has a Fire door which takes you to a staircase.
Not all Door leading into a corridor (Means of escape need to be designated Fire Doors)
Fire detection in offices and corridor.

I have seen documentation which details Fire doors with self closers on office doors ( This could be because it is dead-end conditions) ??.

When I provide an explanation I like to make refence to documentation, however I'm finding it difficult to do so, other than quoting my reasons not to upgrade.

Am I incorrect.

As always any advice/guidance appreciated.

PS Place of work is in Scotland

[witsd]

I am assuming the following:

That all doors met the relevant standards at the time the building was constructed.
That no-one in the building would be asleep.
That escape routes are within recommended distances.
That there are no volatile materials (gas bottles, fuel tanks) in the building.
That there are measures to evacuate any disabled persons within a reasonable time (or that any internal refuge point DOES have suitable fire doors).

If so, and it was me doing the FRA, I'd want a self-closer on all the doors and that's it – kitchen included. Any doors / strips / seals that have been damaged should be replaced, but it's low priority.

Management might still want additional protections to reduce the potential damage to the building, but the risk to life appears to be negligable and, if I'm remembering correctly, the relevant legal requirements (Fire Scotland Regs) start with the words "Where necessary...". The FRA determines what is necessary.

[witsd]

Oh, also remember that legal fire requirements ≠ insurers' demands.

[clio222]

Hi witsd, thank you for taking the time to reply. I have added supplementary information following you feedback


That all doors met the relevant standards at the time the building was constructed. Yes
That no-one in the building would be asleep. No one would be asleep.
That escape routes are within recommended distances. Travel distances within the parameters.
That there are no volatile materials (gas bottles, fuel tanks) in the building. No volatile materials.
That there are measures to evacuate any disabled persons within a reasonable time (or that any internal refuge point DOES have suitable fire doors). Suitable refuge points with Fire Doors.

Kitchen within one of the offices does already have a Fire Door.

So having met the above, there is still a "requirement" to have self closers on the Doors ?

Not questioning just clarifying

Many Thanks

[witsd]

So having met the above, there is still a "requirement" to have self closers on the Doors ?

"Where necessary"

So it would really come down to the opinion of the fire risk assessor.

Having said that, I think that there might be something in a BS that talks about the maximum areas of a compartment within a relevant premises, but to be blunt, I wouldn't waste my time searching for it. I think it's pretty reasonable to demand self-closers on doors along an escape route in almost all cases - you need that route to stay viable for at least three minutes in order to effect a full evacuation. Self-closers are dirt cheap and will do that when fixed to almost any door. Why would you not?

[clio222]

Thanks witsd, take on your comment and taking the time to reply.
Much appreciated