Ealing Council's Cabinet has approved an £8.4 million programme to replace fire doors across its housing stock, a decision made at a meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The four-year initiative aims to ensure compliance with stringent fire safety regulations and significantly enhance resident safety.
The programme will involve the procurement of a contract for fire door replacement and installation, to be achieved through a mini-competition under Pretium's Building & Fire Safety Framework Agreement. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Environment to award the contract and manage any extension options.
This decision underscores Ealing Council's commitment to meeting its legal obligations under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act 2021. Beyond these key pieces of legislation, the council is also ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform Order (as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021) and is working towards obtaining Gateway 2 compliance with a Building Safety Act application. Furthermore, Ealing Council adheres to its own Corporate Fire Safety standards and specifications, ensuring all High Rise Buildings (HRB) and Medium Rise Buildings (MRB) are deemed safe for occupation and certified by the Building Safety Regulator with an appropriate Building Safety Case.
Regular inspections of fire doors are conducted to ensure their continued compliance. This requirement has been extended across the council's mid-rise (MRB) stock following the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the introduction of the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT). A key aspect of this is the regular inspection of both flat and communal fire doors to ensure they are operating correctly, with damaged doors being risk-assessed promptly and potentially accelerated into the current year's programme if the risk profile demands it.
The programme aims to replace approximately 1,000 doors per annum for the next four years. The procurement plan outlines a phased approach, focusing initially on HRBs, followed by MRBs, and then lower-rise stock and houses/maisonettes, strictly on a risk-assessed basis. Vulnerable residents will be prioritised throughout the programme.
Failure to comply with fire safety regulations regarding fire doors can result in severe consequences, including criminal and civil proceedings. The current contractual arrangements for this essential work are set to expire in September 2026, necessitating this proactive procurement.
This procurement route was selected for its efficiency in terms of speed and cost-effectiveness, as well as the availability of pre-vetted, high-quality contractors through the framework. The council's Leasehold team will be consulted regarding the contract award, as leaseholders will be affected. A formal Qualifying Long Term Agreement (QLTA) S20 leaseholder consultation process is anticipated and has been factored into the procurement timeline. The council also plans to enhance the use of Resident Liaison Officers across its stock to keep residents informed about the fire door replacement schedule and any potential disruptions.
The estimated cost for this comprehensive four-year programme is £8.4 million. Further details on the programme can be found in the Fire Door Supply and Installation programme document, which was part of the Public reports pack for the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
