What intumescent strips and smoke seals in Washington should include
From the NE38 postcode district outwards, we take on intumescent strips and smoke seals across Washington for homes, blocks and workplaces.
In and around Washington, fire door work covers everything from HMOs to high-street shops. We plan each job around the people who use the building.
Painted and missing seals are among the most common fire door defects nationally; in Washington we replace them with the type and size the certification specifies. Seal replacement in Washington can be combined with any other remedials on the same inspection report.
Getting the specification right
The door's certification states the type, size and position of strips and seals: in the frame or the leaf edge, single or double, and whether a combined intumescent and smoke seal is used. Replacements must match. Swapping in a generic strip from a hardware shop can undermine the door's performance.
On a typical job that means:
- Check of gaps and closing after fitting
- Identification of the specified seals
- Removal of damaged or painted seals
- Intumescent pads to hinges and locks
What the rules say for Washington
The rules that apply to fire doors in Washington 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 Washington 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 intumescent strips and smoke seals in Washington?
The need for intumescent strips and smoke seals usually arises in offices or care homes, and sometimes HMOs. 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 Washington to keep escape routes protected throughout.
How a Washington job runs
- Identify door certification and seal specification
- Remove failed seals and clean the grooves
- Fit new strips and seals to the specified positions
- Fit missing pads and lock linings
- Check the door closes and latches against the new seals
- Record the products fitted
Budgeting for intumescent strips and smoke seals in Washington
If you need a budget figure first, the guide for intumescent strips and smoke seals is £45–£110 per door to supply and fit strips and seals, ex VAT. We firm that up after a survey, pricing each door separately so you can see where the money goes.
Around Washington
Washington is about 10.2 km from Newcastle upon Tyne, and we cover both, along with nearby Chester-le-Street and Felling. Send us your postcode and we'll confirm survey dates.
Common questions
Is Washington within your coverage area?
It is. We cover Washington in Tyne and Wear and neighbouring towns such as Chester-le-Street. There is no charge for the survey.
Do I need to be there for the survey?
Someone needs to give us access to the doors. For blocks and commercial buildings, a caretaker or site contact is fine; for HMOs and homes, we agree a time with you or your tenants.
How long do seals last?
It depends on use and care. Seals on busy doors wear faster. Regular inspections will show when they need replacing.
Can smoke seals be painted?
No. Paint stops brush and blade seals working. If seals have been painted, they should be replaced.