When choosing new interior or exterior doors for your property you will need to consider the following Building Regulation requirements.
JELD-WEN always recommends the use of a competent person when installing a new door, and if you need advice contact your Local Authority Building Control Department.
APPROVED DOCUMENT B
FIRE SAFETY
Fire doors save lives! They protect escape routes and contain a fire to prevent it spreading throughout a building allowing occupants time to escape. JELD-WEN offer both FD30 and FD60 certified doors, which provide either a 30 or 60-minute fire resistance.
APPROVED DOCUMENT E
RESISTANCE TO PASSAGE OF SOUND
Buildings must provide reasonable resistance to sound. Flat entrance doors should have good perimeter seals including the threshold where practical and achieve 29dBRw sound reduction or better. In most situations, doors must also be fire rated.
APPROVED DOCUMENT F
VENTILATION
Background ventilation in doors (headline ventilators) is one of four systems that can be used. Usually this is for patio doors, however in some situations, front or rear doors may also need to provide ventilation.
APPROVED DOCUMENT K
PROTECTION FROM FALLING COLLISION AND IMPACT
Provision should be made to ensure a clear view of the space either side of a door where appropriate.
Toughened or laminated glass in doors is a requirement except for small panes of glass, in this instance the glass usually must be at least 6mm thick.
APPROVED DOCUMENT L
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, FUEL AND POWER
External doorsets need to provide minimal heat loss ensuring lower energy use, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. A U Value is a measurement of heat loss and it is this, along with the way doorsets are fitted, that will ensure compliance.
APPROVED DOCUMENT M
ACCESS AND FACILITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Doors must be wide enough to gain access into buildings and allow for movement within buildings. The minimum width will vary but usually 2'9" (838mm), is fine externally and we offer a range of internal sizes at 2'9 (838mm), 2'10" (864mm) and 3'0 (926mm) for compliance. In buildings other than dwellings, vision panels are important as is the positioning of these. Please advise your clear opening requirements.
APPROVED DOCUMENT Q (NEW DWELLINGS AND MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE)
SECURITY
Approved Document Q details the requirements for security for either new dwellings or those with material change of use. The regulation applies to windows and doorsets that provide an easily accessible entrance to the dwelling. Easily accessible is defined further within in the Approved Document.
The Approved Document sets out reasonable standards for doors and windows to resist physical attack by a casual or opportunist burglar by being both sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware.
For all projects submitted to planning from 1st October 2015, any window or doorset in scope of Approved Document Q needs to meet the requirements of PAS 24:2014. In addition, there will be requirements for door hardware and accessories such as chains and letter plate openings.
Please note, Building Regulations are subject to local interpretation by the Building Control Officer and you should always check you meet the requirements of your local authority.
You can find your Local Authority by entering your postcode at www.labc.uk.com