Can I stop my neighbours leaving the fire exit open?

Orlak2410 · 12-12-2021 7:15pm #1

I moved into my flat 2 years ago and I was unaware that there was a fire exit around the corner in the hall outside my flat. The other tenants use it as a main door and leave it open despite my asking of them to close it behind them. It blows in the wind and creaks and slams and it is very annoying. I said it to the landlord and he has not done anything about it, sure why would he cause inconvenience to many tenants to please one. I looked it up and there is no regulations against leaving them open just as long as they are kept clear. Is there anything I can do about this? I feel like I’m helpless in this situation.

houseyhouse · 12-12-2021 8:58pm

Can you contact the management company? Seems more an issue for them than an individual landlord

silver2020 · 12-12-2021 9:03pm

Change the locking mechanism by so that it can be opened from the outside and also act as a fire escape.

A standard warehouse would have this type of mechanism, so readily available

houseyhouse · 12-12-2021 11:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311721#Comment_118311721

I would not advise tampering with a fire exit!!

Del2005 · 13-12-2021 1:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311682#Comment_118311682

For a safety issue I'd definitely be contacting the management agent. The door could end up breaking and I doubt the other owners would be happy that the building is being left unsecured. But I've no idea how they can actually stop the other people from leaving the door open bar a 24/7 security person, they can't lock it and a camera won't stop then leaving it open or the thieves coming in.

silver2020 · 13-12-2021 6:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118312384#Comment_118312384

Where did I say to tamper with a safety exit? Stop making stupid assumptions.

I even gave the example of where such systems are in place. I have it in my own warehouse. It's a very valid and legal style of mechanism.

So let's be very very clear. My suggestion is to ask the landlord to contact a professional company to change the style of lock system so that it is an emergency exit system from inside the building and can also act as a key entry system from outside the building.

Is that clear enough for you?

con747 · 13-12-2021 6:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313032#Comment_118313032

Can you point out where in your first post you say this? I read something like this in your first post "Change the locking mechanism by so that it can be opened from the outside and also act as a fire escape.

A standard warehouse would have this type of mechanism, so readily available"

flazio · 13-12-2021 6:50am

Alarming the door seems like the sensible option here.

Peregrinus · 13-12-2021 7:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313035#Comment_118313035

What that post describes is a normal entrance door, which can be opened from outside with a key (or, if desired, without a key, but why would you want that?) and can be opened without a key from inside. So long as they can be opened without a key from inside (and are of the appropriate dimensions, etc) they are perfectly acceptable as fire escapes, and will count towards any requirement imposed under the Building Regulations.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 10:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311682#Comment_118311682

The landlord owns the entire building unfortunately

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 10:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311721#Comment_118311721

I don’t understand what you mean but I can’t take the liberty to do anything myself. I think an alarm that goes off every time it’s opened would be the only way to stop them using it.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 10:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118312844#Comment_118312844

Do some fire exits not have alarms that go off when they are opened?

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 10:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313050#Comment_118313050

No it’s a fire escape that is only able to be opened from the inside but they leave it open and the wind itself isnt strong enough to fully close it so it blows and creaks in the wind

noodler · 13-12-2021 10:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313318#Comment_118313318

Not sure that's relevant? Management company should be engaged regardless.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 10:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313348#Comment_118313348

He’s very hands on he does a lot of the work himself and gets people he knows to do things he can’t. He would be the first point of contact for any issues so that’s why I don’t think he’d do anything about it because the other tenants would be upset that they have further to walk for their cigarettes.

13-12-2021 11:49am

Could ask the landlord to stick a sign that instructs the door is closed behind you as a first step which would potentially rectify the issue without pissing on anyones cornflakes.

other than that as was suggested an alarm that trips when the doors opened (or even if it was possible to have a delayed one that only sounds when it’s been left open for a few seconds)

the thing about an alarm is it may not stop people using the door and only lead to you being more annoyed by that noise!

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 12:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313703#Comment_118313703

I think they will just ignore a sign tbh but an alarm does seem like the best solution. I can’t imagine even the most inconsiderate people leaving a door open with an alarm going off but I don’t know what to do if the landlord fobs me off. Can I take any action with the rtb or anything? Bearing in mind that there is no rules against fire exits being left open

noodler · 13-12-2021 12:10pm

I thought fines for inappropriate use of fire doors was standard (albeit maybe hard to enforce).

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 12:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313799#Comment_118313799

It’s such a grey area. When I moved in there was a sign on the door saying it was for emergency use only but that’s was just for appearances because even the landlord uses it to access the building. If it’s causing a nuisance I should be able to report it somehow.

silver2020 · 13-12-2021 12:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313325#Comment_118313325

You ask the landlord to get it done. It's a fairly simple procedure. Probably about €200 and everyone is happy.

Here's an example

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/briton-1413-ke-se-outside-access-device-knob/2121r

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 1:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314021#Comment_118314021

I think that’s my only option but I suppose my main question is what can I do if he refuses to do it?

Mrs OBumble · 13-12-2021 1:37pm

You can validly complain about the vanging noise: it is disturbing your peaceful enjoyment of your home.

How the landlord chooses to fix it is up to him/her, not you.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314303#Comment_118314303

Yes it is and it’s not fair. If I had have known before moving in that the door was used the way it is I wouldn’t have moved in. I just think it’s one of those scenarios where I fall through the cracks if the landlord chooses to ignore my complaint. I don’t think there’s any action i can take as there are no regulations agains leaving them open.

13-12-2021 2:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314348#Comment_118314348

well, actually there is. There are rules that demand you have comfortable and peaceful enjoyment of your home. This is affecting that and therefore it’s the landlords obligation to put a stop to it.

houseyhouse · 13-12-2021 2:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313032#Comment_118313032

That is much clearer! And it sounds like a good solution.

There was no need to be so rude, though. There are plenty of people giving out terrible advice on the internet and in your original comment it sounded like you were telling o/p to change the mechanism themselves. If that wasn’t your intention, fine.

13-12-2021 2:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311721#Comment_118311721

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313032#Comment_118313032

In all fairness there’s no need for the snide attitude when you were very unclear about getting a professional to do it originally and anyone (including me) could read your initial post and suspect you were hinting they just do it themselves.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 2:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314535#Comment_118314535

I’m glad to hear that thanks a lot. Who would be the governing body over such disputes, the RTB?

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 2:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314601#Comment_118314601

Is it a good solution though? A fire escape is for emergency use only thats why it was built. Modifying it so that it is accessible from the outside doesn’t stop other tenants leaving it open, if anything it will be used more.

silver2020 · 13-12-2021 3:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314648#Comment_118314648

Where did I say to do it themselves?

It's not a DIY job so it should be assumed that it was for the op to pass to the landlord.

But assuming someone is suggesting a DIY job when they make no mention of such deserves a rebuke.

houseyhouse · 13-12-2021 3:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314883#Comment_118314883

I suppose it depends how they’re using it. If they’re leaving it open because they’re out for a smoke and want to come back in the same door it would help.

Orlak2410 · 13-12-2021 3:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118315007#Comment_118315007

That makes sense but at the end of the day there is one main door to the house and if they wish to go out for a smoke, they have to use that door.

Can I stop my neighbours leaving the fire exit open?

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