New Fire Safety Act Brings Changes to Front Door Regulations

Amidst the ongoing debate over cladding remediation costs, many leaseholders may not have noticed that the Fire Safety Act, which became law in April, has introduced new rules on flat front doors. Previously, flat entrance doors were the responsibility of individual residents. They were considered part of the private property rather than common areas managed by property managers. However, the new Act has expanded fire safety rules under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to now include fire doors in multiple occupancy buildings.

Why Flat Entrance Doors Matter for Fire Safety

Your flat’s front door plays a crucial role in compartmentation, meaning it helps prevent a fire from spreading within your building. If it fails to meet the required fire protection standards, it could put your entire floor or block at risk. As a result, if your door does not comply with the new regulations, you may now be required to replace it to ensure adequate fire safety.

What Fire Safety Tests Does Your Door Need to Pass?

To meet the updated regulations, your flat entrance door must undergo fire safety tests that check for:

• Intumescent strips – Expand when exposed to heat to help seal gaps.
• Self-closers – Ensure the door automatically closes after opening.
• Smoke seals – Prevent smoke from leaking through the door edges.
• Fire resistance of at least 30 minutes – Your door must be able to withstand fire for a minimum of half an hour.
• Structural integrity – No compromising alterations such as letterboxes that could weaken fire resistance.

If your door fails to meet these essential fire safety requirements, it will need to be replaced with a compliant door.

Fire Door Inspections Are Now Mandatory

With the new legislation in place, managing agents are now required to carry out regular fire door inspections. These checks include:

• Assessing external and internal door conditions
• Ensuring doors fit properly and close automatically
• Checking for any damage or alterations that may reduce fire resistance

While the term ‘regular inspections’ is not strictly defined, guidance from BWF-CERTFIRE Best Practice Guide and the London Fire Brigade suggests that fire doors should be inspected every six months.

What This Means for Leaseholders

For residents, this means:

1. You must allow access for inspections, including checks inside your flat to assess the door’s fit and self-closer functionality.
2. If your door does not meet the required standard, you will be responsible for replacing it.
3. Your servicechargesorted.co.uk/blogs/service-charge-disputes-what-cam-be-disputed-how-and-the-role-of-the-first-role-planetrent.co.uk/blog/could-a-tax-tribunal-ruling-mean-btl-investors-avoid-3-stamp-duty-surcharge'>tribunal'>service charge may increase, as landlords and property managers will need to cover the cost of these mandatory inspections and any necessary upgrades.

The Bigger Picture: Safer Blocks but Increased Costs

The new fire door regulations will ultimately lead to safer apartment buildings, ensuring fire risks are minimized. However, leaseholders should be prepared for potential servicechargesorted.co.uk/blogs/service-charge-disputes-what-cam-be-disputed-how-and-the-role-of-the-first-role-planetrent.co.uk/blog/could-a-tax-tribunal-ruling-mean-btl-investors-avoid-3-stamp-duty-surcharge'>tribunal'>service charge increases to cover regular inspections and compliance costs. At Ringley, we are committed to ensuring that all our managed buildings comply with fire safety regulations while keeping residents informed about any changes. We will be discussing the potential impact on servicechargesorted.co.uk/blogs/service-charge-disputes-what-cam-be-disputed-how-and-the-role-of-the-first-role-planetrent.co.uk/blog/could-a-tax-tribunal-ruling-mean-btl-investors-avoid-3-stamp-duty-surcharge'>tribunal'>service charges later this week—so stay tuned for updates.