Getting communal fire doors right in County Down
We provide communal fire doors across County Down, covering 3 towns and 16 postcode districts, including Bangor, Newtownards and Newry.
We phase communal door replacements in County Down so every escape route stays protected throughout the programme. The evidence pack for each communal door in County Down is set out to support whatever checking regime your fire risk assessment sets.
County Down has a mix of buildings, from purpose-built blocks to converted houses and commercial premises. We tailor the programme to the building, not the other way round.
What makes communal doors different?
Communal doors take far more traffic than flat entrance doors. They are pushed with trolleys, propped open and slammed. Many are pairs, glazed, or fitted with hold-open devices. That combination is why communal doors so often fail inspections for gaps, worn seals, damaged closers and doors that no longer latch.
In England, communal fire doors in residential buildings above 11 metres must be checked at least every three months under regulation 10. A sound installation makes passing those checks routine.
Rules and responsibilities in County Down
County Down is in Northern Ireland, where fire doors are covered by the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and Technical Booklet E on fire safety. Duties in non-domestic premises come from the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
The English regulation 10 checking regime does not apply here, so the fire risk assessment sets how often doors in County Down are checked. We hand over evidence that supports it.
Our process in County Down
- Survey communal doors and plan a phased sequence
- Agree working hours and resident notices with the client
- Order doorsets to size with matching hardware
- Replace doors one route section at a time
- Commission closers and hold-opens with the alarm contractor
- Hand over evidence for your fire safety records
Prices for communal fire doors in County Down
As a guide, budget from around £800 for a single communal doorset to £3,200 for a glazed pair, ex VAT for communal fire doors. The figure for your County Down building depends on the number of doors, the rating, the condition of the frames, finishes, hardware and access. We confirm a fixed price after the free survey.
Questions
Do you provide communal fire doors across County Down?
Yes. We cover all of County Down, including Bangor and Newtownards. Surveys and written quotes are free.
Can communal fire doors be held open?
Only with a proper hold-open device that releases the door when the fire alarm operates. Wedges and hooks are not acceptable. Electromagnetic holders or free-swing closers are the usual solutions.
Will the stairs be out of use while you work?
No. We phase the work so that each route stays protected and usable, replacing doors one section at a time and never leaving an opening without a door at the end of the day.