Communal fire doors: our service in Portslade
Our communal fire doors service covers Portslade and the wider East Sussex area. Every job starts with a survey of the openings, so the quote reflects your actual doors rather than a guess.
Portslade has a broad mix of buildings, including family homes after loft conversions, small blocks of flats and care homes, and the same fire door principles apply to all of them.
We phase communal door replacements in Portslade so every escape route stays protected throughout the programme. The evidence pack for each communal door in Portslade is set out to support whatever checking regime your fire risk assessment sets.
How do you work in an occupied building?
Escape routes have to stay usable. We phase communal door work so that no stair or corridor is left without protection overnight, keep a doorset ready to fit before removing the old one, and agree working hours with the building manager. Where a hold-open device is needed, we coordinate with your fire alarm contractor for the release interface.
On a typical job that means:
- Phased programme keeping escape routes protected
- Evidence pack suitable for regulation 10 records
- Certified single, double or leaf-and-a-half doorsets
- Survey of every communal opening and its use
The regulations behind fire doors in Portslade
The rules that apply to fire doors in Portslade 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 Portslade 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.
Who needs communal fire doors in Portslade?
The need for communal fire doors usually arises in student accommodation or sheltered and supported housing, and sometimes hotels. Each has its own pressures, such as residents at home or a building that must stay open, so we plan the sequence of work in Portslade to keep escape routes protected throughout.
What happens after you enquire
- 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
Budgeting for communal fire doors in Portslade
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 Portslade 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.
Portslade and neighbouring towns
Portslade is about 5.6 km from Brighton, and we cover both, along with nearby Hove and Worthing. Send us your postcode and we'll confirm survey dates.
Common questions
Do you cover BN41 and nearby postcodes?
Yes. We cover Portslade including BN41, and nearby towns such as Hove and Brighton. The survey and written quote are free.
What happens on a survey in Portslade?
We look at every door in scope: the leaf, frame, gaps, seals, hinges, closer, glazing and how the frame is fixed. You then get a written quote that prices each door separately.
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.