Unit Front Door Knob Non-Compliant

Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 10:56

I live in a strata managed unit. We recently had the annual fire inspection arranged by the strata for the whole complex.

I have now received an email from the strata manager stating that the door knob of my front door is non-compliant with this reasoning "The current doorknob back set is less than 90mm. This is required under AS1905.1 for a fire rated door".

They have also mentioned that I will need to replace it at my cost within 14 days, or they can do it for me for $297.

The same door knob is in place since we moved in around 4yrs ago, and this was never brought up in any of the inspections earlier.
I would like to seek some help here to understand who is responsible for replacing and bearing the cost for this, lot owner or the strata? Can anyone please share an official link that states this?

Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden Door Handle

Comments

  • Meho2026 on 02/09/2022 - 11:01
    +10

    If the door is the original door and the door knob is the original door knob that were installed when the building was constructed, then strata have to pay to rectify the issue. Same if strata paid for a replacement door at any point.
    If either the door or the knob was replaced by any previous owner then its your responsibility.
    Point 19 might help, https://nsw.strata.community/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Who-…

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 11:11

      Thanks, this does help.

    • AustriaBargain on 02/09/2022 - 14:11

      If strata pays for it, then isn't that the same as every owner in the building paying for it?

      • jjjaar on 02/09/2022 - 15:04

        Depends on how many doorknobs need replacing, but if all then yes.

        • AustriaBargain on 02/09/2022 - 15:09
          -1

          If it's just one door knock then do you think strata can convince a doorknob installer to do it for free? Someone has to pay and if that someone is strata then it's the strata fee payers, and that is all of the apartment owners.

          • jjjaar on 02/09/2022 - 15:14

            @AustriaBargain: Oh I meant every unit replacing knob but strata pays = everyone ends up paying the $297 each regardless whether strata does it or you do, as the $$ will come out of your strata fees

            Only OP replacing it but strata pays = OP/other units are only paying a % of the $297.

  • Archi on 02/09/2022 - 11:05
    +2

    is your door knob the same as others in the block of units?

    if not, someone has changed it from what was originally there and didn't seek approval from strata to do so. i believe you, the owner of the unit should be responsible for replacing, unfortunately its a problem you inherited. (much like leaks and cracks)

    the point where it has missed previously, is probably the over sight of the inspector at the time.

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 11:12

      I am almost certain that the door knob was never replaced before we moved in. But will verify to see if its the same with other units in my complex. Thanks.

  • Drakesy on 02/09/2022 - 11:18
    +1

    Well it also depends.

    If the strata pre-dated the australian standard that brought this in you don't necessarily have to bring it up to code as it complied with the standards of the day.
    I'm confused as to what the doorknob setback they're stipulating is, surely if it's less than 90mm then its closer to the latch and therefore easier to locate?
    Why would you want a doorhandle to be further away from the latch.

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 11:26

      Thats another thing, I could not find anywhere that states that the backset should be more than 90mm for a fire rated door (not the fire door, which ofcourse will have a lot more rules and policies to it).

      • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 11:32

        Which document do you have?

        In the 2015 version it states

        When using knob handles with approved locksets a minimum 127mm back set is required.

        Can you upload a picture with your current door knob and a ruler?

        • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 11:38

          I couldn't locate the document that you have that excerpt from. Strata pointed out the 90mm rule, so not sure what is for what. I have asked them for a copy of the document that states this, still waiting for the reply.

          • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 11:40
            +2

            @Rkshar: You generally have to pay to get AS documents.

            Someone here might have a subscription to get it for you.

            I got lucky and just found an excerpt about door hardware on fire rated doors for AS1905.1 2015

            If you look at locksmith supply websites all of the fire rated hardware is 127mm backset.

  • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 11:24
    +1

    Even if a previous owner changed the door knob I highly doubt they modified the backset.

    It's probably a new door if everyone else in the strata has correct backset.

    Looks like the AS was updated in 2015.

  • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 11:43
    +2

    @pegaxs

    Time to put on your locksmith hat today 😉

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 11:56

      Let's hear from the horse's mouth 😅

      • pegaxs on 02/09/2022 - 16:07
        +6

        I would need to know what the tag on the spine of the door says. There is no use quoting AS1905.1-2015 if only 2005 is stamped on the door. It only needs to comply with whatever was stamped on the fire rating tag attached to the door and door frame.

        Another thing is, as soon as anything is changed on that door, it is no longer compliant. So, if it has a 60mm backset now and it needs a 90mm backset, it wont be compliant, OR if it had a 90mm and was changed to a 60mm and patched up, it will no longer be compliant. The thing is, I dont know what it needs until I know what AS it falls under.

        The other thing is, does it have a knob or a lever? If it has a knob, it is not compliant regardless.

        • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 16:14

          Took ya bloody time. But we got there in the end. 😃

          • pegaxs on 02/09/2022 - 23:02
            +3

            @Muzeeb: Sorry… apparently "hanging around all day on OzBargain" isnt one of my KPI's :D

            • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 23:18
              +2

              @pegaxs: When did they change that? Bloody cheeky move by your employer. Speak to your union rep or the daily mail asap.

              • Sleeqb7 on 03/09/2022 - 10:38

                @Muzeeb: I thought @pegaxs worked as a mechanic? This is world shattering.

                • Muzeeb on 03/09/2022 - 10:48

                  @Sleeqb7: He's also a card dealer at underground casino's.

                • pegaxs on 03/09/2022 - 10:57
                  +1

                  @Sleeqb7: I work as a mechanic during the day (well, not really a mechanic anymore, but mostly a diagnostic technician, meaning I look at the issues that filter monkeys cant fix, so I seldom get my hands that dirty) as well as customer service and parts interpreter and storeman.

                  I am a locksmith, but the work is sporadic. Usually done after hours and I can go a week or two at a time and get no calls. I wish it was full time, as it's a lot less stressful than mechanical work, a lot cleaner, but the hours can be shit (getting phone calls at 3am on a Sunday morning because some dumb drunk punter has lost their keys.)

                  And yes, for the record, I have worked in hospitality as well as in the education system and this doesn't include all the volunteer work I perform working with disadvantaged people in the community.

  • bobbified on 02/09/2022 - 13:01
    +1

    Might be a dumb question, but what exactly is this "back set" measurement?

    I'm looking at my fire-rated apartment door right now and I can't see anything around the lock/knob that is (or even close to) a minimum of 90mm or 127mm 'from' anything or 'to' anything..

    (Curious because I called a locksmith last week to get an electronic lock installed. Need to make sure it's fire compliant too!)

    • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 13:54
      +4

      It's the distance between the door edge and the centre of the crossbore for the hardware.

      Hopefully this picture helps

      • bobbified on 02/09/2022 - 14:06
        +1

        Thanks for that!

        It's what I initially thought, but when I measured it, it's only 60mm (which is consistent with the measurement of 2 and 3/8 inch in your diagram).

        The hardware I've got on my door is the same as everyone else's in the block so it hasn't changed since being built. My building was built around 2005, so unless the standards were a little different back then, I'm not sure. The inspection guy comes once a year or so and has never said anything about it so I can only assume it's compliant.

        • redforever on 02/09/2022 - 14:13

          Are you in an apartment? If not, it's unlikely that it is a fire door.

          • bobbified on 02/09/2022 - 14:14

            @redforever: Yeh, I'm in an apartment and it's definitely a fire door… so that's really weird.

            • Muzeeb on 02/09/2022 - 14:28
              +1

              @bobbified: Australian Standard was update in 2015 and that may have been a change.

  • redforever on 02/09/2022 - 14:08

    Are they replacing the whole door for 297 dollars? Sounds a bit cheap for a fire door.
    Can't see how they can "move" the hole.

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 15:20

      No, just the lock handle. I thinking they are probably looking to install lever handle instead.

  • GordonD on 02/09/2022 - 14:59

    Can you just change the knob handle to a lever handle.

    The standard only requires that much offset for a knob handle. Is this so a firie with thick fire-proof gloves can get a grip on the knob?

    • Rkshar on 02/09/2022 - 15:18

      Yes, that seems be a viable option. I had a look at the outside door knobs of a few of the units in my complex, and they are all lever handles.

  • tabitha731 on 03/09/2022 - 08:32
    -1

    Fire compliance rules are updated regularly, so ur door knob may have passed tests in previous years, may not all of a sudden pass 1 year's compliance testing

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