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Every year, fire doors quietly protect thousands of lives. As part of Fire Door Safety Week, we are coming together to raise awareness about the crucial role fire doors play in protecting our families, homes, and businesses. It is the perfect time to check that your building is up to date with safety standards and that all fire doors are correctly installed and maintained.
What Is the Purpose of a Fire Door?
The fire door stops fire and smoke for a specific period of time. You might wonder, how long does a fire door last? The most commonly known fire doors last 30 or 60 minutes, indicated by their FD30 or FD60 rating. Why does this matter? In an emergency, these precious minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Fire doors are made differently from standard doors. They have fire resistant cores, intumescent seals (also known as fire door strips), which expand when heated and self closing mechanisms to ensure they automatically close when they detect danger.
Why Fire Doors Matter
A well installed and well maintained fire door could be the line between safety and disaster. These doors compartmentalise buildings, keeping fire and smoke at bay while giving everyone inside more time to escape. They also reduce property damage, containing the fire until emergency services can intervene.
Fire Door Safety Week: An Annual Reminder
Fire Door Safety Week is for everyone - business owners, landlords, and residents - to take the time to inspect their fire doors. Throughout this week, we will be sharing knowledge, resources, and tips to ensure you are comfortable with fire safety systems. Whether you are a building manager or a tenant, allow a few moments to check your fire doors and ensure they work as they should.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?
Ideally, fire doors should be inspected every six months. However, doors in high traffic areas (like building entrances) need more routine checks. Everyday wear and tear can compromise their effectiveness, so keeping up with inspections is required to address potential issues before they become serious risks.
Staying Compliant: Building Safety Act and Fire Door Regulations
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place responsibility for fire door maintenance on a designated responsible person, usually the employer, building owner, property manager, or landlord. This person must ensure that all self-closing fire doors are in good working order, including internal fire doors, flat front doors, and external fire exits. Compliance is not just about following rules, it is about keeping people safe.
How You Can Ensure Fire Door Safety
Here are a few easy steps you can take to make sure your fire doors are doing their job:
Inspect the seals around the door for wear and tear.
Make sure the door closes fully without any obstruction.
Check that the hinges are secure and functioning smoothly.
Look for certification labels that verify the door is regulated.
Ensure the door and frame are intact, with no visible damage.
Never prop open a fire door, this could compromise their effectiveness.
Do I Need Fire Doors in My Home?
If you live in a regular house, you might ask yourself: Do I need fire doors at home? For most homes, the answer is no, fire doors are not a legal requirement. But there are exceptions. Homes with internal doors leading to garages, loft conversions, or houses with more than two floors often require a fire door as part of the fire escape plan.
A final life-saving tip, before you reach for the pillow tonight:
“Close before you doze” - Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI).
Many house fire deaths happen at night, and closing your bedroom door can:
Limit the flow of oxygen
Slow the spread of smoke
Keep carbon monoxide levels safer
Help the temperature in your room to remain lower during a fire.
This simple act could save lives.
Why Choose Ecosafe Group?
At Ecosafe Group, we specialise in fire stopping service across Dorset, Poole, Bournemouth and the South Coast. Our fully insured, accredited team offers a personalised service, giving you peace of mind when it comes to fire safety. We are committed to keeping you, your family, and your properties safe.
If you would like to discuss your fire safety needs, feel free to reach out:
- Call us at 01202 017 917
- Complete a contact form on our website
- Or email us at sales@ecosafegroup.co.uk
We're here to help!
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