Fire doors

[Flitter123]

Hi
I wonder if anyone could answer a question I have about fire doors in 3 storey house. Basically when we moved into our house, the loft had been converted into a bedroom and so all the doors had been changed to swing shut fire doors as part of building regs and for safety. We do not currently use the attic as a bedroom, and as we have two small children we chose to wedge open the doors obviously so we could hear them. Having had several incidents of the wedges being moved and fingers trapped in the doors, I made the decision to remove the swing mechanism altogether. We are now looking to replace the doors with something more aesthetically pleasuring and would like to know what doors to look at. What I'm worried about it the swing mechanism and whether I shild replace it. One of my children is disabled so I'm not sure I'll ever be comfortable with keeping the doors shut at night. I'm also v concerned at the prospect of losing little fingers if we were simply to keep them wedged open. On the other hand I'm obviously concerned at the prospect of anyone sleeping in the attic in future which presumably one day we'll want to use as a bedroom. Also would it be a a problem if we ever came to sell? I just can't understand how people with young children can live with these dangerous doors! What do people do?

Put in closers that do the last few inches slowly may maybe put those foam wedges on the door to stop the door closing. Fire doors are expensive

Find out if your insurance will still be valid ifnyou change the doors. It might not be.

Ok I did wonder about the insurance actually. I was under the impression it was to protect people sleeping in the top room but I don't know maybe it would affect the insurance as well. Thankyou for the advice. I will also have a look at the soft close doors, that could be a good solution. I have looked at the price of fire doors and I don't really mind paying if they really are safer, it just the swing mechanism that bothers me and the idea of having to keep the doors shut. It just seems so unrealistic with small children! Thanks for replying.

You can get fire doors in loads of different styles - I've just got 1930's style ones for a client to match the rest of their house.
www.todd-doors.co.uk/1930-4-panel-fd30-fire-door

There is no longer a requirement for self closers though as people used to wedge them open so they removed this requirement however they are still recommended as a fire door that is open does not protect your escape route

Are the ones you've got the concealed ones by the hinges that use a chain inside the mechanism - if so you may be able to adjust the tension of the chain so it has a gentler close. Look on them to see if there is a manufacturer name and try googling for instructions.

Thankyou wonkylegs that's actually exactly what I was looking for. That's good news that you dont need the self closing doors. I realise you should have them shut, it's just balancing the danger of fire with other dangers of not being able to hear what's going on in other parts of the house etc. It's a really tricky one.