Loft Conversion? You Might Need Fire Doors – Here’s Why

Thinking of converting your loft? It’s a great way to add space and value to your home, helping you create an extra bedroom, home office, or perhaps a family games room.

But while it’s a smart investment, your loft conversion needs to be done properly. There’s one aspect that is often overlooked, and that is fire safety.

Not all homeowners realise this, but they may be legally required to install fire doors when converting a loft. Failing to do so may put lives at risk, as well as making your home non-compliant with building regulations.

Here, we’ll run through the rules and regulations for loft conversions in the UK, along with tips on ensuring your project meets the necessary safety standards.

Why Fire Doors Are Crucial in Loft Conversions

When you add a new floor to your home – such as a converted loft – it changes the fire escape strategy of the building.

A typical two-storey home doesn’t always require fire doors on every level, but once you add a third floor, the rules change. This is primarily because it takes longer for people to escape a three-storey building. There’s also the fact that fire and smoke will have a greater chance of spreading between floors, potentially creating a more dangerous fire.

This is why building regulations require buildings of this size to have fire-resistant barriers, in order to slow the spread of fire. This means fire doors, which help to contain fire and smoke long enough for people to escape safely. Without them, a fire on the ground floor could quickly spread upwards, trapping people in the loft.

What the Building Regulations Say

Building Regulations Approved Document B sets out the fire safety requirements for homes in England and Wales. Once a house has three storeys or more (including a converted loft), it must include a protected escape route from the loft to the front door. This means:

• Fire doors must be installed on all habitable rooms opening onto the escape route (typically the stairwell).
• Fire doors should be FD30-rated, meaning they can resist fire for at least 30 minutes.
• The new loft room itself must also have a fire door, and potentially a fire-rated partition if it borders escape routes.

Additionally, interconnected smoke alarms must be fitted on every floor. And in some cases, you may need upgraded fire-resistant flooring or ceilings between storeys.

When You Might Be Exempt

There are a few exceptions to these requirements. If you’re converting a loft in a bungalow, you’re not likely to need fire doors as there’s no third or added storey.

Some small two-storey loft conversions may also qualify for relaxed rules if escape windows are fitted and certain design criteria are met. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule.

For the vast majority of standard loft conversions that turn a two-storey home into a three-storey property, fire doors are a legal requirement.

Why Professional Advice Is Essential

Fire safety regulations can be complex, and it’s easy to miss something crucial if you’re not familiar with them.

A quick call to certified fire door installers could save you from missing something critical in your loft conversion project. Not only can they assess your property’s specific requirements, but they’ll also ensure the correct doors, frames, seals and closers are installed to meet the required standards.

Improper installation – or using the wrong type of door – could mean that you fail a building regulations inspection. This could mean extra costs, not to mention compromised safety in the event of a fire.

What to Look for in Fire Doors

When choosing fire doors for your loft conversion, ensure they are:

• FD30-rated and certified to BS 476-22 or BS EN 1634-1 standards
• Fitted with intumescent strips that expand in heat to seal gaps
• Installed with fire-rated hardware, including hinges, handles, and door closers
• Installed by experienced professionals who understand current regulations

Keep in mind that fire doors can be stylish too. There are many modern designs and finishes out there, so you won’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for safety.