Repairs: joinery, doors and kitchens

To ensure that the building has adequate fire protection, refer to the most recent version of the Building Regulations Approved Document B. Building Regulations change rapidly so keep abreast of developments using the Planning Portal.

• In particular, the 'old' rules about fitting fire closers to doors – especially on houses above 4.5m in height (i.e. those with a second floor) – have relaxed somewhat. However, there is still a need to fit a closer to a door that communicates with a garage.
• Flats must have closers fitted to the main entrance doors and around common parts.
• There are now separate, more complex, requirements for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

In summary, check before you act.

Solutions 2 and 3 will help preserve the original finishes and mouldings to the door fabric.

Solution 1

Panelled doors can be uprated where fire resistance needs to be improved. This usually requires the removal of the beads securing the door panels so that the panels (if flush) can be resurfaced with a fire resistant material and beads refixed.

Solution 2

Where the panels have been moulded so that the edges taper into the groove in the frame, it may be necessary to saw a kerf (a groove) into the panel so that a fire-resistant panel (or sometimes paste material) can be inserted within the thickness of the panel.

Note: Considerable care is needed when cutting the kerf. This requires use of a good panel or radial saw to accurately cut in.

Although this is a specialist process, and unlikely to be used often, it is something to be aware of and retain in your armoury of options. It is a more expensive option, but it is worth considering for historic or high-quality buildings.

Solution 3

One system also used as an intumescent paste inserted into the thickness of the panel through the saw kerf.

COST SEQUENCE - Upgrading fire resistance to panel doors

1. Remove door. Carefully cut out any wedges to tenons and break apart door rails and stiles.
2. Carefully remove panels from fielding grooves.
3. Set circular saw or high quality bandsaw to align with edge of panel and slice panel through centre.
4. Construct sandwich with intumescent board set in centre of panel. Glue all surfaces and clamp together to construct new panel with sandwiched fire lining in centre. Use fire-resisting/fire-rated non-flammable and non-melt glue.
5. When all panels complete reassemble door with intumescent lining set to centre of fielding panel.
6. Reassemble door and re-wedge all tenon joints. Glue and cramp and check door fits original opening.
7. Bring forward, 1 primer 2 undercoat and finishing coat of paint.

Upgrading fire resistance to panel doors - COST £300

Small works pricing

Since the original price estimating in 2008 the economic turmoil of the last few years has caused some disparities in pricing - if you are reviewing these figures in the London area they may look laughable - if you are located in Hull they might still look a bit expensive. Please treat them with caution and of course always consider obtaining more than one quote against which to test prices. Reference to the BCIS or a small works pricing book such as Spons or Laxton's will help assess costs and the hourly labour rates upon which they are based.