£2.5 million investment in fire safety

Last night (Thursday 12 September), Cabinet approved plans to upgrade more than 650 fire doors in temporary accommodation, older people’s housing and other flats. This will include replacing all front doors to flats and doors in communal areas like stairwells and hallways. 

All new doors will be certified to FD30S standard, which means they are fire and smoke resistant for at least 30 minutes. 

Older fire doors may not be certified to modern standards and would not meet legal and regulatory requirements. Their replacement will ensure the Council complies with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and building regulations and provide the highest level of protection for residents. 

Cabinet approved ODS to carry out the upgrade programme. 

This investment follows the £1.7 million installation of FD30S fire doors in the Council’s five tower blocks, which was completed earlier this year. 

Comment 

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We take fire safety very seriously and people living in our flats and other communal settings shouldn’t have to worry about feeling unsafe in their homes. Our £2.5 million investment will upgrade more than 650 fire doors to the highest modern standards, giving people peace of mind and ensuring we meet fire safety requirements.”