Flat Chat Strata Forum Common Property Current Page

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  • #9812
    Idafun
    Flatchatter

      If peepholes in front doors were not original to the buildings and various owners have gradually installed them at their own expense, is a by-law needed to “legitimise” them retrospectively ?

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    • #22679
      tharra
      Flatchatter

        I’d be checking with your fire regulations/fire safety people first that the peep holes haven’t reduced the fire rating on the doors before you ratify anything.

        This might help:

        https://scanline.com.au/fire-door-basics/

        #22683
        excathedra
        Flatchatter

          A peephole does not necessarily invalidate the fire rating of a door.  Our doors, installed as part of a fire safety upgrade some 10 years ago, came with peepholes, and have passed successive inspections ever since.

          #22685
          Whale
          Flatchatter

            Correct… those peepholes installed by the door suppliers would have a fire rating that’s at least equal to that of the door, and there are peepholes available after-market that have a 4 hour fire rating, but the problem is that residents typically buy the el-cheapo versions and then compromise the fire rating of their entry door/s.

            Idafun‘s answer depends upon whether those entry doors are fire rated; so?

            #22686
            Idafun
            Flatchatter
            Chat-starter

              Idafun’s update re peepholes/fire rating : The property is a 1971 built 10 villa complex with each villa sporting its own little porch. There is at least 4m separation in the open air between any 2 front doors. I’ve no idea if the original doors (still present) were fired rated to any extent (but will find out). Does this circumstance affect the peephole situation ? 

              #22690
              Whale
              Flatchatter

                Idafun – In the circumstances that you’ve now explained, I doubt very much that the entry doors would be fire-rated, and quite frankly I wouldn’t be worried about a Special By-Law that’s only purpose would be to retrospectively consent to those; if they fail then let the Lot Owner replace them.

                #22695
                DaveB
                Flatchatter

                  From what you say I’d doubt that these are fire doors, unlike in a block where entrances are off common stairways and internal hallways.  Check around the door, are the door frames metal (cold to touch and a magnet will attach), if not the doors are likely to be non-fire rated.  Fire doors also have a metal label attached on the hinged side edge, (sometimes painted over). 

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