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DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Fire door to understairs cupboard
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Message started by woodsmith on Feb 21st, 2011, 6:47pm

Title: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by woodsmith on Feb 21st, 2011, 6:47pm

I've just studded out under the stairs of a domestic house for a cupboard (has a loft conversion so 3 storey). The BCO wants it fireproofed with a fire door?  I thought that was only for HMOs (flats). I've looked through Doc B of the regs and can find no mention other than firedoors along escape routes, which no longer even need to have closers.

Anyone know if he is correct?

TIA

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by big_all on Feb 21st, 2011, 8:25pm


woodsmith wrote on Feb 21st, 2011, 6:47pm:
I've just studded out under the stairs of a domestic house for a cupboard (has a loft conversion so 3 storey). The BCO wants it fireproofed with a fire door?  I thought that was only for HMOs (flats). I've looked through Doc B of the regs and can find no mention other than firedoors along escape routes, which no longer even need to have closers.

Anyone know if he is correct?

TIA


new one on me surely just for doors to habitable rooms rather than storage
ask if you can leave as open storage
or ask which part specificly applies  :-? :-?

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by TIMBA-WOLF on Feb 21st, 2011, 10:05pm

The reason behind the firedoor to a basement , if an attic development is within the property, is because most basements contain electrics, so if a fire broke out, then it needs containing within he basement for as long as possible, allowing the occupants (if any) from the attic space can vacate the property..

Down here in Deepest Kent, when i applied for my attic development, i had to install fire doors everywhere, with self closing frame closers (perko's)

Basement fire doors apply to domestic , and commercial properties, the refurb we did in Deptford London required a fire door to the basement, even though the shop was seperated with a 1 hour fire wall/ceilings, from the properties above...

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by CWatters on Feb 21st, 2011, 11:03pm

Is the electric meter or consumer unit under there?

The regs on three storey houses (eg houses with loft conversion) are indeed different to those for a two storey houses. Nothing to do with HMO or not.  

The idea is that if a fire starts on the ground floor it must be prevented from entering the escape route for someone who is on the top floors. That's why the doors and walls of the escape route have to be fire rated.

If an electricity meter, consumer unit, washing machine or a similar potential fire source exists under the stairs then I can see why the cupboard door has to be fire rated.

If that's not the reason it may be that the BCO thinks the underside of the stairs (eg the treads) need better protection from fire and he thinks uprating cupboard door is easier than plasterboarding the underneath of the stairs?  

On the other hand he may just consider that the cupboard door is a door between a "room" (small and triangular with a low ceiling!) and the escape route (hall and stairs).

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by woodsmith on Feb 22nd, 2011, 9:10am

Thanks for the replies,

BA I've left him a message but he hasn't come back to me, plus we have to keep him on side!!

Wolf, its just a cupboard under the stairs with the underfloor heating (wet system) controls in. No basement.

CW I'll have to ask him about the treads, there is no fireproofing at the moment, perhaps he would be happy if that was done??

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by londonman on Feb 22nd, 2011, 4:53pm

Careful..He might ask you to do both!

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by woodsmith on Feb 23rd, 2011, 8:54am

Just been on the phone to him and he has agreed to us plasterboarding under the stairs and then we don't have to fit a fire door, but we have to put a sign saying no storage of flamable materials.

It all boils down to the interpretation of what is a cupboard and what is a room apparently, and the space under the stairs, because you can walk into it, is classed as a room!

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by big_all on Feb 23rd, 2011, 12:31pm

what would happen if you introduce a shelve at say 5ft up full depth this would stop the ability to "walk in"

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by woodsmith on Feb 23rd, 2011, 4:38pm


big_all wrote on Feb 23rd, 2011, 12:31pm:
what would happen if you introduce a shelve at say 5ft up full depth this would stop the ability to "walk in"


Not if you are 4ft 11" tall  ;D

Customer is happy now and I don't need to fit an intumescent strip into the frame so I'm not going to risk upsetting him

Title: Re: Fire door to understairs cupboard
Post by big_all on Feb 23rd, 2011, 5:10pm

i am also for an easy time and would never get on the wrong side off building control
a bit off bribery goes down well chocolate hob nobs are best ;D ;D ;)

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