- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by .
-
Topic
-
Good afternoon Jimmy
I am a long standing member of the Executive Committee of a mid 1990’s Meriton built unit block in Redfern. We regularly read your articles and often circulate the relevant interesting articles amongst ourselves. Thank you for your informative yet often humorous articles.
Our building always passes our Fire Inspection. However in his last report the specialist noted some units have security door chains on the fire-proof main door of the unit – a chain on the inside of the door that can be put in place between the door frame and the door when it is shut, to prevent or at least deter/delay burglars …like on every hotel room door. They are readily available in most hardware stores across the country. He claims these chains need to be removed or he will not approve our next building’s fire certificate. Many of these security chains have been in situ for years.
The Fire Inspector referred to a recent Blacktown fire where a security chain was caught in the fire door preventing it closing and causing a fatality. He repeatedly states all door chains need to be removed by law.
I have contacted City of Sydney, Fire & Rescue NSW, Dept. of Planning …etc. none of which say there is any current law that recommends these chains be removed.
Therefore we are looking for some guidance
1) Are owners with these security chains already fitted breaking any Laws, fire or otherwise?
2) By Law do the security chains have to be removed by the owners?
3) Can the non removal of these chains affect the approval of our fire certificate?
Understandably living in Redfern owners feel a lot safer with the security chains in place and realistically there is a far greater chance of a break-in than a fire. However my neighbours and I like to keep the door ajar sometimes for cross-ventilation and feel safer if a chain is in place
Regards
Rosedale Chain Gang
-
Replies
-
Ask this fire inspector for a copy of the regulations that require the removal of door chains. Just 1 incident involving a door chain would not require the removal of ALL door chains throughout Oz.
Their is always a balance between security and fire safety, and if you remove all locks from all doors you can then have unimpeded exit in case of fire but your chances of continuing to live their without being burgled or assaulted is slim.
Tell the Inspection company that you want a different inspector next time unless he produces the regulations that he claims you are breaching.
Regulations don’t make a specific reference to safety chains, but I recall Australian Standards stipulating that there should be no article fitted to a fire (main) door to a Unit that could impede its full and proper closure; that’s why automatic closers are stipulated!
So with that emphasis on full and proper closure, an item such as a safety chain when fitted by Residents to such a door could, when unlatched and hanging down, become an “impediment” if it became wedged between the door and the jamb.Unlikely maybe, but possible yes – so on that basis I think that your Plan’s Fire Inspection Contractor is correct, and even though those Residents who have fitted safety chains are not themselves breaking any Law, the fire rated (main) doors so affected don’t then comply with all aspects of the Standards upon which such legal compliance is assessed.
As mentioned, these doors are required to be fitted with a functioning automatic closer, so I’m wondering how it is that you and other residents are able to leave them ajar, but in any event it’s better for Residents’ fire safety for those safety chains to be removed and for entry doors to be kept fully closed for BOTH fire safety and Residents’ security.
As your Owners Corporation (O/C) owns those doors and is additionally responsible for the building’s fire safety, it in my opinion needs to write to all Residents advising that any items such as safety chains and door stops that could impede the proper closing of entry doors together with any keyed deadlocks that could impeded egress needs to be immediately removed, and that any such items that are still in place at the time of the next Fire Safety Inspection will be removed by the Contractor.
As for the costs, whilst the O/C could recover the Contractor’s costs of removing safety chains etc for those Residents who then haven’t, for something as important as fire safety I wouldn’t bother.
If in any doubt, your O/C should consider the consequences of a fire event occurring in the building at a time when even one fire rated (main) door to a Unit is ajar due to a safety chain, door stop, or something similar impeding its full and proper closure – when its been made aware of likely consequences.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.