Intumescent strips and smoke seals in Birmingham: what's involved
If you need intumescent strips and smoke seals in Birmingham, we can survey, supply and install, then leave you the evidence your fire risk assessor will ask for.
Around Birmingham, schools, student accommodation and shared houses all depend on fire doors that close, latch and seal. We survey each opening and tell you plainly which doors need work and which don't.
We check that each door in your Birmingham building closes and latches against its new seals before signing it off. Painted and missing seals are among the most common fire door defects nationally; in Birmingham we replace them with the type and size the certification specifies.
Why seals fail
Seals are the most common defect on fire door inspections. They get painted over, pulled out, damaged by cleaning or simply worn by years of use. A painted brush seal no longer seals, and a strip of the wrong size may not close the gap in a fire. Our guide to seals explains the different types.
On a typical job that means:
- Intumescent strips in frame or leaf edge
- Removal of damaged or painted seals
- Intumescent pads to hinges and locks
- Brush or blade smoke seals
Fire door law for Birmingham properties
The rules that apply to fire doors in Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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.
Buildings and duty holders in Birmingham
The need for intumescent strips and smoke seals usually arises in blocks of flats or HMOs, and sometimes care homes. 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 Birmingham to keep escape routes protected throughout.
How a Birmingham 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
What does intumescent strips and smoke seals cost in Birmingham?
As a guide, budget £45–£110 per door to supply and fit strips and seals, ex VAT for intumescent strips and smoke seals. The figure for your Birmingham 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.
Nearby areas we cover from Birmingham
Beyond Birmingham itself we also cover nearby towns such as Aston (2.3 km), Smethwick and Washwood Heath. The service, pricing and evidence are the same wherever you are.
Common questions
Do you cover B3 and nearby postcodes?
Yes. We cover Birmingham including B3, and nearby towns such as Aston and Smethwick. The survey and written quote are free.
Can you work from an existing inspection report for my Birmingham building?
Yes. Send it over and we can often price straight from it, then confirm on site. We report back against the same door references so you can close actions off.
Can smoke seals be painted?
No. Paint stops brush and blade seals working. If seals have been painted, they should be replaced.
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.