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Hello,
I live in an apartment in Sydney.
I wanted to install a screen door at the entrance to my apartment, so that on hot days I could leave the front door ajar and have the balcony door open and have cross-ventilation (which works well).
If I had a secure screen door, I could have some ventilation even when I went out.
After submitting a request to the Strata Manager he advised the following
“The fire engineer has advised the following on installing a screen door;
The Fire Brigade has issued a note that states that screen doors are not permitted to be installed. As you say to permit air movement also permits smoke and fire movement which goes against what the door is there for.
As the front entry door is required to be a fire door unfortunately screen doors are not permitted to be installed.”
Our building complex is a mixture of apartments and townhouses (which all do have screen doors).
So I’m trying to work out whether I have any options to appeal this decision?
Thanks
VW
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Replies
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It is my understanding that single locking security screen doors are OK. Please read the following document and pass it on to your OC.
Sorry PS, but the document specifically says that locking the screen door and leaving your front door open is a breach of fire regulations (as well as being dangerous).
The fireys are OK with screen doors – provided people don’t use it in precisely the way VeeDub intends to.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
I concur with JT that the NSWFB do not recommend the installation of security screen doors, and that the purpose of the security screen door that VW proposes i.e. ventilation, would be deemed to be a non compliant purpose for local Councils.
However, if VW was to assure the OC that he/she would follow the information guide from NSWFB and not leave the door open for ventilation purposes and install a single locking door then the OC should not reasonably be able to refuse the request.
It appears that precedents have been set in the building if other security doors are already in existence in the apartment buildings. If the issue of security doors and fire safety was of great concern to the OC then I would have thought that it would be mandatory for all other security doors to be removed.
All that being said, fire safety should be a top priority, as JT has alluded to.
I wonder if VeeDub might not have already let the cat out of the bag by telling the building manager exactly why she wants a screen door.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
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