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Three storey houses (inc loft conversion) and insurance

33 replies

frogetyfrog · 04/02/2010 16:52

Not sure whether this is in the right topic, but we are looking to convert our attic to loft conversion. When talking to Building Control it appears there is still a requirement for self closing doors around the exit corridor (in our case the stairwell so all doors off it have to be self closing). Now, I know most people have the work done, then take the self closers off once the work is inspected and signed off (the building control officer told me this himself). But this would presumably invalidate any insurance in the event of a fire, resulting in no payout. He said that fire doors and closures are required on any house of over two storeys - so do all those of you living in three storey houses (either originally built that way or loft converted) have self closures on the doors and use them? What a nightmare with young children - virtually impossible to live in a house with all the doors shut even if just at night. Or are you risking invalid insurance by propping doors open or taking fire door self closures off? Or have I got my facts wrong (she says hopefully). Any advice on this would be gratefully received as this may be a deal clincher for us as I cannot live with the childrens doors shut at night (and part of house doors shut in day depending on where we are in house), and do not want to risk having absolutely no payout if we have a fire.

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BicycleBelle · 04/02/2010 22:28

Sorry, not only did it not work, I seemed to have used up a page with nothingness! I'll have another go.

www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/buildingregs/technicalguidance/bcfires afetypartb/bcfaqs2/bcfaqvol1

BicycleBelle · 04/02/2010 22:29

Sod it! You'll have to type in the address, but the evidence is there.

frogetyfrog · 04/02/2010 22:36

Bicycle - thank you a lot. He is obviously out of date (only a young lad too - probably late 20s!). thanks to you all - I am pleased and relieved.

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crankytwanky · 04/02/2010 22:38

Only skimmed posts, sorry, but I believe you can get round the doors by having a sprinkler system installed. Sounds ££ though.

(I only read about someone doing this in a mag. It may, in fact, be bobbins.)

CMOTdibbler · 05/02/2010 08:29

I asked DH, who is an insurance claims expert. His view was that unless your insurance policy specifically states that fire doors internally must be shut/self closing, it would have no bearing on your insurance claim

HairyMaclary · 05/02/2010 08:40

Coming back to this - I remember now that we were told either fire doors and wired in smoke alarm or sprinker system and keep existing doors. Nothing about self closers. Towards the end we were told that we could if we really wanted paint the existing doors with the special paint and add the smoke strips around the edge. We debated this but went for the new doors. We are very pleased with it all!

frogetyfrog · 05/02/2010 19:41

Thanks all. My BC officer still insists he is right so I am going to contact somebody else. You have all been very useful as always.

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BicycleBelle · 05/02/2010 21:03

What more does he want than a statement on the gov's own website, fgs. Sounds like a man who doesn't know how to back down.

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