Communal entrance doors for flats serve as the primary security point for apartment buildings, protecting hundreds of residents and their possessions.
Understanding and implementing the correct regulations is about protecting the safety and security of people who call these flats and apartments home.
All communal doors must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document Q, which sets out building security requirements. These doors must also meet PAS 24:2016 standards to resist common attack methods.
Our range of communal entrance doors, including our M2M+ series, is designed to meet these strict requirements, providing peace of mind for building managers and residents alike.
Security specifications for communal entrance doors include multiple elements. The door must withstand different types of physical attacks, with research from the Secured by Design initiative showing that PAS 24-certified doors can reduce break-ins by up to 87%.
Essential security features include:
Fire safety remains paramount in multi-occupancy buildings. The law mandates that communal doors must provide adequate fire resistance. We are committed to innovating and creating fire-rated communal doors that provide up to 4 hours of fire integrity.
The doors should incorporate effective self-closing devices and maintain their integrity during a fire, creating a barrier to prevent the spread of flames and smoke throughout the building.
The Equality Act 2010 necessitates that communal entrances be accessible to all residents and visitors, regardless of their physical abilities. This means considering door width, opening force, and threshold height to ensure that people with mobility issues or disabilities can easily enter and exit the building.
Communal entrance doors should have a minimum clear opening width of 800mm to accommodate wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. The maximum opening force for manually operated doors should not exceed 30N from 0° (door closed) to 30° open and not more than 22.5N from 30° to 60° of the opening cycle. Thresholds should be level or have a maximum upstand of 15mm, with any upstands over 5mm having chamfered or rounded edges to prevent tripping hazards.
Proper signage and visual contrast also matter for people with visual impairments. Signs should be clear, easy to read, and positioned at a height visible to all users.
Regular maintenance and inspection of communal entrance doors are essential for ensuring residents’ safety and security and are legally required. Laws place a duty on building owners and managers to maintain and inspect fire safety equipment, including communal entrance doors.
Recommended maintenance schedules include:
Accurate records of all maintenance and inspection activities should be kept as regulatory authorities or insurance providers may need these.
Implementing compliant communal entrance doors requires careful planning and execution. Working with established manufacturers like Bradbury Group will give you access to expertise in both product specification and installation. Our team provides comprehensive guidance on selecting the best steel and fire door solutions based on building requirements and usage patterns.
Becoming compliant with communal entrance door regulations requires ongoing attention and investment. However, the benefits outweigh the costs when considering resident safety, building security, and legal obligations.
At Bradbury Group, we are specialists that provide a range of compliant communal entrance fire, security and steel doors backed by expert technical support and maintenance guidance. Contact our team to discuss your requirements and make sure your building meets all necessary regulations.
