A total of 4,000 fire doors in all social housing across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – where the Grenfell Tower tragedy took place last year – will be replaced by the council, costing £3.5m in total.
Public Sector Executive reports that the borough is considering the replacement of all council flat doors with fire-resistant doors capable of blocking fire for 30 minutes, which adheres to current fire safety standards.
The plans come after it was found that an undamaged door taken from the Grenfell Tower Block could only withstand a 15-minute blaze, despite designs saying the door could hold out for half an hour.
Communities and housing secretary James Brokenshire said all Manse doors— the type used in the tower— must be replaced across the country.
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea Council said: “This is a national issue. Manse Masterdor fire doors are used in social housing across the UK and a question mark hangs over their effectiveness.
“Kensington and Chelsea Council believes that the replacement programme must be started as a matter of urgency, and as such councillors will next Wednesday (6 June) consider a recommendation to replace doors across the borough.
“This is not currently a legislative requirement, but this may change following the completion of the current building regulations review.”
