Are Security Doors Permitted in Apartments?
Firas Naji
Senior Building Surveyor - Fire Safety (Grade A1 Unrestricted All Classes of Building) @ Campbelltown City Council | Town Planner & Building Code (BCA) Consultant @ Silver End Pty Ltd
The Issue of Security/Screen Doors in Sole Occupancy Units (SOUs)
During a recent fire safety audit of an apartment building in Parramatta, (Although this image may not be a fire door) However, it is a recurring issue was observed that continues to challenge both local councils and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). The attached image, taken during the inspection, shows a security screen door installed on a typical Sole Occupancy Unit (SOU). This issue has sparked ongoing debates between strata bodies, authorities, and individual owners, some of whom argue that such doors are essential for security. However, there are critical fire safety concerns associated with these installations.
One major issue arises when occupants prop open fire-rated doors for ventilation or light, which compromises the doors' ability to close automatically and maintain their fire-resisting level. Fire doors are designed to restrict the spread of fire, and their ability to close is essential for occupant safety. When self-closing fire doors are propped open and the path of travel to exits are being further compromised by the additional installations like security screens, this vital function is jeopardized.
Additionally, the installation of these security doors often compromises the integrity of the fire-rated door frames. Even when remedial action is taken by removing the security doors, the damage caused during installation may persist, affecting the fire-resistance of the door assembly and its original compliance when tested. Reverting to the original condition can be difficult, and in some cases, the frame may never fully return to its original fire-safety standard. Some Accredited Practitioners Fire-Safety (APFS) refuse to endorse such fire doors, calling it non-compliant with As1905.1 and /or Sectio 5 of the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS), causing issues in completing the AFSS and delaying the submission. ???
Fire & Rescue NSW
FRNSW has outlined its stance in its latest position paper, updated on 30th August 2024. It states that FRNSW does not determine whether security or screen doors can be fitted to the main fire door of an SOU. This is a matter to be determined by the appropriate regulatory authority (e.g., Council) or certifier. However, FRNSW strongly recommends against the installation of these doors due to the increased risk of the main fire door being propped open for airflow, and the potential compromise to the fire rating of the door frame caused by modifications.
This delegation of responsibility to certifiers and councils has left a grey area for managing the widespread use of these doors, which are becoming increasingly common in apartment buildings.
领英推荐
Solution:
In my humble opinion and as a Council fire safety officer, the solution when upgrading these buildings is that no security doors should be installed in the first place. However, if security doors have already been installed, they should be removed, and the door frame remediated to meet fire safety standards. If an individual owner of an SOU wishes to retain these doors, a Performance Solution must be prepared to address this issue, or these doors must be equipped with a fail-safe device that automatically closes in the event of a fire. This system should be linked to additional smoke detectors and heat detectors installed within 1 meter of either side of the door, in accordance with AS1670.1. Furthermore, these smoke and heat detectors must also be interconnected with all other smoke detection and alarm systems in the building, ensuring simultaneous activation. The design, installation, ongoing maintenance, and any updates to the fire safety schedule should be the sole responsibility of the SOU owner. Additionally, the door handle hardware of the security door must comply with relevant requirements.
This situation raises several questions for those involved in fire safety, compliance, and building management: How should we address non-compliant security doors that compromise fire safety? What steps can be taken to engage resistant owners while ensuring compliance? Have you encountered similar challenges in your projects? Share your thoughts and experiences on this platform.
Disclaimer:
This article is not to be taken out of context. It is general in nature and does not relate to any particular site. You are strongly advised to seek your independent fire safety or a legal advice for your site and not to rely on the opinion of this article or any comments within.
Regards
Firas Naji
07 September 2024
?
Property Developer at STIVEN DENKOVSKI
6 个月I agree that the security doors in the picture don’t work , WHY? because of the lock if it were just a pull handle and no lock it would work, unfortunately people define them as security doors when the main purpose should be to keep out flys/ Mosquitos A good example is the Sauna doors they are not permitted to have locks on them only pull handles an alternative solution should be 1. Fly screen with fly mesh no security grills and No locks only pull handles If locks are to be placed they would have to pass a test under the BCA and Australia standards and should not place anyone or anything in danger with a fire and without a fire. There maybe other issue such as fire ratings but it would need to pass safety test with and without a fire. Please feel free to give your opinion I’m open to constructive criticism and diverse opinions
Associate Director, Senior Fire Safety Engineer at CORE Engineering Group
6 个月I agreed with Jonathan Barnett, the security of the occupants needs to be considered. In matters of domestic violence, the Courts will order that screen doors be fitted to protect a member of our community who is at real risk of assault or worst. Firas Naji, I’m familiar with the subject. Yes, screen doors can support a practice of chocking open fire doors for ventilation. And if that’s proven to be a necessity to cope with a Sydney summer, then a solution I’ve seen used successfully is a properly installed magnetic door hold open device interfaced to the unit’s smoke alarm. Screen doors can be fitted to the reveal of the opening rather than the frame of the fire rated door set, so this avoids the fire door compliance question completely. Where the screen doors are fixed to the fire door frame, will they adversely effect the performance of a doorset in a fire? The fact is, fire door manufacturers do not test their products with a screen door fitted, so how it might affect a fire rated door set is not known. In the past, how a screen door might “obstruct” egress in a common stair. Its interesting that in FRSNSW updated practice note they have removed reference to this completely.?
Director at D2 Constructions Pty Ltd
6 个月The door is not a fire door, it is only an exit from a sole occupancy unit.
Accredited Practitioner Fire Safety
6 个月Security screen doors were not fitted to the test specimen fire door set so they are non- compliant when screwed into a fire rated frame as per AS 1905.1. Also AS1851-2012 has a requirement to check fur non approved fittings or fixtures on fire rated door sets. One more ; if there’s a performance solution on the building for extended paths of travel from SOU entries to exits with out security screens included, then the Performance solution cannot be endorsed on the AFSS. It is a big issue for us as owners like to have their nice breeze through their apartments , which is a fire risk aswell. We do get a lot of resistance unfortunately.
Managing Director at Green Dragon Ltd
6 个月That’s a final escape and from what I can see needn’t be a fire door