Smoke seals, doors and me being over the top?!?

[blue-spud]

Hi,

Sorry if i am being rather dense but need a little bit of advice from everyone.

I have just doing a Assessment of a premises that has had a change of use from a warehouse to Training Area, approx 20 metres square.  It is attached to another small unmanned warehouse, 10 metres square, on one side at approx 3 0clock and another training area, 10 metres square, at approx 6 oclock.  There is 1 "to fresh air" exit door in each building.  The links between each section are by double doors.

I have stated that each of the double doors should be 30min fire doors with Vision Panel, smoke seals etc.  The contractor is stating that it is not required and wants to know what regs (he said "Code") i am working to.  

I know that construction and design is BS5588 & bs9999 but i dont have access to these, at the moment, to be able to say which section it is.  

If you could point me in the right direction i would be grateful.

[PhilB]

Why do you think these doors need to be fire doors?

and why do you think they need vision panels and smoke seals...sorry to answer a question with more questions.

[redbadge]

Don't know what the quibble's about - the cost difference between a purpose made 30 minute door and a non fire rated one is about £5 for intumescent seals.

[blue-spud]

Why do you think these doors need to be fire doors?

and why do you think they need vision panels and smoke seals...sorry to answer a question with more questions.

My belief, which maybe wrong, is that as each section is used independatly then to reduce possiblity of fire spread.  The vision panels are because currently the doors in situ have them in.

[PhilB]

It would appear that there is no requirement for compartmentation or any fire separation from the description you have provided.

Redbadge there is a big expense in replacing existing doors if they do not need replacing.

[redbadge]

Another possibility is that the 2 areas are required for differing "sessions" at the same time, and that some degree of acoustic insulation is required - which would be satisfied by a well fitting solid core door which just happens to be constructed identically to a 30 minute door. If you want to e-mail a specification / description for the doors I can give you an indication as to what these are likely to cost - just in case a trip to the cleaners is on the cards...

[blue-spud]

Another possibility is that the 2 areas are required for differing "sessions" at the same time, and that some degree of acoustic insulation is required - which would be satisfied by a well fitting solid core door which just happens to be constructed identically to a 30 minute door. If you want to e-mail a specification / description for the doors I can give you an indication as to what these are likely to cost - just in case a trip to the cleaners is on the cards...

The ones in place are pretty solid we should be ok but i think i will be emailing you soon about another area

[blue-spud]

It would appear that there is no requirement for compartmentation or any fire separation from the description you have provided.

Redbadge there is a big expense in replacing existing doors if they do not need replacing.

I had a feeling that i might have been a tad OTT but its better to check.

Thanks for you input.

[kurnal]

Yes it sounds  OTT for life safety but may be worth considering for protection of  business continuity in the event of a fire.