A report with a long list of faults is a normal result.
Do not panic. Most of the list will be small.
Start with the dangerous ones
Anything that stops the door closing, any hole through it or any door that is missing altogether. These go first. If you are told on the day, act on the day.
Wedged-open doors are a free fix. Take the wedge away and fit a closer or a hold-open that releases on the alarm.
Repair or replace
Most failing doors can be repaired. A new closer, new seals, a packer behind a hinge, an off-cut let into a damaged edge.
Replace when the door has no evidence of a rating and cannot be proved, the leaf is badly damaged or the frame has moved.
At two secondary schools and an almshouse in Luton, 140 of 147 doors were repaired on site.
Plain certified doorsets
When a door does need replacing, choose a plain certified doorset, tested as a complete set of door and frame.
Panelled doors are a trap. Panelled doors void the fire rating, whatever they look like. If you want a period look, get advice before you buy.
Who does the work
You can use any competent contractor. Our own crew repairs in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Greater London. Where the work uses our certificated contractors, that is BM TRADA certificated for door repair and installation and FIRAS certificated for fire stopping.
Outside that area we do not repair. Take the report to your own carpenter.
Fixed prices
Repairs and installs are priced as fixed prices from the report. A quote for a door repair should list each door and what is being done to it.
Check afterwards
Repaired doors should be looked at again. A short re-inspection of just the doors that were fixed closes the loop and gives you a record.
Questions we get asked
Can I paint over a failed seal?
No. A seal that is damaged needs replacing. Paint on it makes things worse.
How long do repairs take?
A closer or a seal is a short job. It depends on how many doors are on the list and how easy they are to get to.
Send us the postcode and a rough door count and we will come back with a price.
Get a price