What communal fire doors in Dorset should include
We provide communal fire doors across Dorset, covering 4 towns and 37 postcode districts, including Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
Communal corridors and stairs in Dorset buildings take the heaviest use, so we choose finishes and hardware that keep working between checks. We phase communal door replacements in Dorset so every escape route stays protected throughout the programme.
Dorset 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.
Pairs, vision panels and robust finishes
We fit single, double and leaf-and-a-half communal doors, with vision panels in tested glazing systems and finishes chosen to stand up to use, such as laminates and kick plates covered by the certification. For pairs, the meeting edges, rebates and any door coordinator must match the evidence; see our double fire doors page.
The regulations behind fire doors in Dorset
The rules that apply to fire doors in Dorset are England's. The responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 must keep fire doors in non-domestic premises and the common parts of flats in working order; the Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that this includes flat entrance doors onto common parts.
Where a Dorset block is above 11 metres, regulation 10 of the 2022 regulations means communal doors are checked every three months and flat entrance doors annually on a best-endeavours basis. Replacement doors must also satisfy the Building Regulations, with Approved Document B as the guidance most building control bodies work from.
Our process in Dorset
- 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 Dorset
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 Dorset 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.
Communal fire doors questions
Do you provide communal fire doors across Dorset?
Yes. We cover all of Dorset, including Bournemouth and Poole. Surveys and written quotes are free.
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.
How often should communal fire doors be checked?
In England, every three months for residential buildings above 11 metres under regulation 10. Your fire risk assessment may set other frequencies for other buildings and nations.