Important Update for Council Tenants
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Westminster City Council, in coordination with the London Fire Brigade, is actively working to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise buildings. This involves strict adherence to the Building Safety Programme and new fire safety legislations like the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. These regulations mandate comprehensive safety measures, including regular fire risk assessments, maintenance of fire safety equipment, and clear communication of fire safety instructions to residents. In addition, the Building Safety Act introduces further obligations for the accountable persons of high-rise buildings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a 'golden thread of information' for building safety.
For concerns about fire safety, residents are advised to contact housing.enquiries@westminster.gov.uk. For more detailed information on these safety measures, fire risk assessments, government remediation schemes, and the developers pledge, please refer to the following button below for further information.
Important Update for Leaseholders — Fire Safety Door Compliance
As part of our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety for all residents, we have important information regarding fire safety doors for leaseholders in living in Harford House. Understanding and adhering to fire safety regulations is not only a legal requirement but also a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in our community.
We have compiled essential information from the Westminster City Council's Fire Safety Doors Information Sheet. This guide is designed to help leaseholders understand their legal duties, determine if their fire safety doors are compliant, and navigate the process of upgrading or replacing their doors to meet current standards.
The information covers various aspects, including the applicable laws, the importance of fire safety doors in our buildings, the steps to take if you need to change your flat entrance door, and how to ensure your door meets the required fire safety standards. Additionally, the council has outlined assistance options and procedures for leaseholders to comply with these critical safety measures.
Summary of key leaseholder responsibilities
Legal Duty Awareness: Leaseholders must understand their legal duty regarding fire safety doors, which involves ensuring their doors are compliant with current fire safety standards.
Compliance with Legislation: Adherence to the Building Regulations 2000, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and the Housing Act 2004 is mandatory. These laws require leaseholders to comply with building control requirements, cooperate with the council to reduce fire risk, and ensure fire safety within the home, especially if subletting.
Upgrading Existing Doors: If a leaseholder's property still has the original door fitted by the council or inherited from a previous owner, it may no longer meet current standards, necessitating upgrades or complete replacement.
Permission for Alterations: Leaseholders must obtain permission from the council for changing flat entrance doors, ensuring new doors meet current standards. An alterations application process is in place for this purpose.
Fire Door Standards: All new fire safety doors must conform to the FD30s standard according to BS476: Part 22 1987 or BS EN 1634-1 2000, indicating 30-minute fire and smoke resistance.
Certification and Evidence: Leaseholders must provide certification from contractors confirming that the new doorset meets the required standard. In cases where the council identifies non-compliant doors, leaseholders need to supply certification or consent for door replacement.
For further information and detailed guidelines, leaseholders are encouraged to refer to the complete Westminster City Council's Fire Safety Doors Information Sheet below.
Steps to Get an Approved Fire Door Installed
If you are a Westminster leaseholder looking for information on suitable doors for your flat and how to apply for a new fire door installation, please click below for further details. This is a general guide and is not exclusively for leaseholder residents living in Harford House. Many of the links and forms to apply for a fire door will be applicable for leaseholders throughout the council.