‘Fire doors are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems caused by …

On June 14, 2017, a high-rise fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block, caused by an electrical fault in a refrigerator. Seventy two people tragically died. This opened the biggest can of worms for flat dwellers in Britain.

After the flames whisked through the 24-storey structure at an astonishing speed, everybody started to find about the problems in apartments – one of the main ones being cheap cladding that turned into a death trap. The PM at the time, Theresa May, vowed to an enraged and shocked nation: ‘there will be big changes’ – she was right. And it’s costing billions and taking a lot of time.

So many people are locked into the sale of their apartments, and are besides themselves worrying about costs and living in misery – some people are making millions out of that situation. I saw a statement the other day – ‘What you need to know about the changes to fire safety regulations coming into effect in England in January 2023’ – which requires residential buildings to be updated with their fire safety equipment.

There is so much to write about this minefield that’s affecting so many. I will just mention one for now: That of fire doors. I’ve had mine replaced to come up to regulation standards.

What is a fire door? So many people, including joiners, have different ideas, and at the beginning nobody would commit. A fire door is constructed using specific materials and ironmongery, that allows the door to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

They suppress the fire for 30 minutes, and they are rigorously tested to gain a fire certificate. It is now a legal requirement. I looked for so long for a proper joiner that was free to do the work, as they are inundated.

Somebody is not going to rip me off, as people are plucking prices from mid air. I found a great guy called Rob. It took two and a half days to fit two new fire doors, and what a job it was.

The block I live in has the managing agent Smith and Sons, Birkenhead. Ryan has really put himself out to help residents, and in fact it’s not his job as we, as owners, are responsible for our own front doors.

So many people across the land who live in apartments are beside themselves with worry at the cost of these doors. I’ve now got my 91 page certificate to say I have four fire doors.

How many people, and at what cost has this 91 page document been put together? Fire doors are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems caused by the tragedy of Grenfell Tower.