Self-closing firedoor hinges: which are suitable?

[James Holmes]

Well, I didn't want to use the big ugly levers to automatically close my fire doors, and ten my wife came across these... fire hinges. They are listed under the "fire safety" and "BS EN 1935 Hinges" section of the website:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/30694/Ironmongery/Fire-Safety/BS-EN-1935-Hinges/Adjustable-Self-Closing-Hinge-Polished-SS-102-x-76mm-Pack-of-2
and here

http://www.handles4doors.co.uk/Door-Hinges/Single-Double-Action-Spring-Hinges/sc658/p15315.aspx

These say they replace perco traditional perco chain closers and can be tension changed while hung.

The council paperwork says ""self closing device capable of closing door at any angle. Overhead closers preferable but automatic devices will be considered if supported by a risk assesment". If I email the council lady that visited and she confirmed these are okay to use, will that suffice?

Any other options for me? Thank for continued support everyone, been very helpful

Regards

[red40]

As you say James, the hinges look ok and they meet the required standard, i.e BS EN 1539. But, yes I would write and get it confirmed by the council that they are happy for you to use them.

I take it the property in question is your shared/bedsit house?

[ah84]

The thing is that the basic chain perko does not close the door from any angle. i.e if door is ajar it wont pull it shut.

To do job 100% properly overheads are the best or if you are worried about ugliness than perko powermatic or perkomatic, but they are more expensive to buy(cheaper on ebay) and take longer to fit.

[James Holmes]

I just heard the following...

As of 6th April 2007, it is no longer a building regulations requirement that a self closing device, such as a perco or spring hinges, be fitted to internal fire doors in dwellings. It has become the responsibility of the occupants to ensure that fire doors are closed at night. Closing devices are still required on flat entrance doors and garage doors leading into a dwelling. However, these closers now have to comply with BSEN 1154, which currently means they need to be overhead door closers.

Hmmm

[havensRus]

Hmmnn .. Tell that to the council housing standards officers and they'll probably just look at you blankly...

the HMO regs requires self closers to be fitted, and most councils want the mechanical overhead ones as they do the job best.

[red40]

As of 6th April 2007, it is no longer a building regulations requirement that a self closing device, such as a perco or spring hinges, be fitted to internal fire doors in dwellings. It has become the responsibility of the occupants to ensure that fire doors are closed at night. Closing devices are still required on flat entrance doors and garage doors leading into a dwelling. However, these closers now have to comply with BSEN 1154, which currently means they need to be overhead door closers.

That's the problem when you get info by word of mouth. BS EN 1154 doesn't just apply to overhead door closers. BS EN applies to controlled door closing devices.

You can always read the Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors, its only 116 pages long but its an eye opener on what can and cant be used.

[Bel]

So what are we concluding here?

Overhead closers still the best?

[quarterday]

are going to cause you less problems.

Much easier to fit and adjust.

More reliable, and more visible, neither the occupiers or the average berk working for a local authority will not allege your are in breach of those particular rules!!

[ah84]

I just heard the following...

As of 6th April 2007, it is no longer a building regulations requirement that a self closing device, such as a perco or spring hinges, be fitted to internal fire doors in dwellings. It has become the responsibility of the occupants to ensure that fire doors are closed at night. Closing devices are still required on flat entrance doors and garage doors leading into a dwelling. However, these closers now have to comply with BSEN 1154, which currently means they need to be overhead door closers.

Hmmm

I would guess that this is talking about loft extensions.

After all I doubt there is anything in building regs about minimum room sizes yet councils set minimum sizes for HMO's so self closing devices would be necessary for many HMO's especially as it would be deemed a "flat entrance door".

I would agree that overheads do the job properly , but if you want something not visible then perko powermatic is good, but retails at around 200 quid. I got some for 40 quid off ebay but they still take around 1-2 hours labour to fit whereas overheads are around 20 mins.