This article discusses NSW apartment fire door hardware regulations and when external unit doors must be self-closing and unobstructed.
Question: What are the regulations in NSW about individual unit fire doors that open to the outside, next to a landing?
What are the regulations in NSW about individual unit doors where they open to the outside, next to a landing? The stairs are used as access for the unit above. We have a solid core door that has been passed by fire inspection. I am trying to figure out what locks we can and can’t have to comply with apartment fire door regulations.
I imagine it may have to comply with fire mitigation door regulations.
Answer: If you have solid-core doors that are a Statutory Fire Safety Measure (is listed on your AFSS), then these doors need to be self-closing.
There are many unknowns with the scenario that will mean I can’t provide a definitive answer. However, if you have solid-core doors that are a Statutory Fire Safety Measure (is listed on your AFSS), then these doors need to be self-closing. This means the doors must have a self-closing device (door closer), and mustn’t have any hardware that would prohibit the door from fully closing. This would include:
- deadlocks,
- chains,
- hold-open devices,
- wedges, etc.
If your doors are not listed as a Statutory Fire Safety Measure, then there are no requirements about the hardware.
I recommend asking your Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) for advice as to whether the above requirements relate to your doors.
This post appears in Strata News #452.
Vincent Graham
Project Guides
E: vgraham@projectguides.com.au
P: 0476 233 109
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