.png)
Fire doors are repeatedly overlooked when it comes to fire safety. Every year, these doors protect thousands of lives by slowing down the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants precious time to escape. However, the reality is alarming: many fire doors across the UK are not compliant with current safety standards, leaving buildings and lives at risk.
Fire Door Safety Week 2024 is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about this
crucial fire protection tool. Led by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), this annual campaign highlights the importance of properly installed and maintained fire doors, providing vital fire protection to commercial, public, and residential properties.
In this blog, we will explore why fire door safety is essential, what fire door regulations in the UK require, and what you can do to ensure that your building remains compliant with fire safety standards.
The Fire Door Safety Crisis
The statistics are shocking: The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) found that 75% of UK fire doors do not meet required safety standards, with 31% of these doors improperly installed. According to this statistic, many fire doors - designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke - are either damaged, poorly fitted or have not been maintained correctly, posing a significant fire safety risk.
For building owners, landlords, and facilities managers, it is critical to understand that fire doors are a fundamental element of passive fire protection. They work by compartmentalising a building and delaying the spread of flames, allowing more time for evacuation and limiting fire damage.
As part of Fire Door Safety Week, we encourage everyone responsible for fire safety, including commercial property, residential buildings, or social housing, to take a closer look at their fire door safety compliance.
What Is Fire Door Safety Week?
Fire Door Safety Week is a nationwide campaign led by the British Woodworking Federation - Fire Door Alliance. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of fire door inspections, proper installation, and routine maintenance. Taking place every September, Fire Door Safety Week brings together landlords, property managers, contractors, and residents to ensure fire doors are in good condition.
Through its Fire Door Alliance, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) champions fire door manufacturing and testing, ensuring that every certified fire door meets stringent safety requirements. By partnering with UK fire safety experts, the BWF hopes to close the gap between fire door awareness and real action.
The campaign also addresses pivotal issues such as fire door regulations, the role of fire doors in apartment buildings, and how to spot signs that a fire door needs maintenance.
What Makes a Fire Door Different from Regular Doors?
At first glance, fire-rated doors might look like any other door, but they are far more robust and critical to fire protection systems. Fire doors are precisely designed to resist flames and smoke for a designated period, usually 30 or 60 minutes, as indicated by their FD30 or FD60 rating. This rating is crucial because, in the event of a fire, these doors provide valuable time for building occupants to escape and for emergency services to intervene.
Key Features of a Fire Door:
Fire-resistant core: Made from materials like solid timber or a composite core that can withstand high temperatures.
Intumescent seals: These expand when exposed to heat, sealing gaps around the door to prevent the spread of smoke.
Self-closing mechanism: Fire doors are fitted with self-closing devices, which ensure they automatically close if left open. This is extremely important in communal areas and high-traffic zones.
Fire-rated glazing: Fire doors with glass panels must have fire-resistant glazing that prevents flames from passing through.
Fire doors are a critical component of passive fire protection systems, including firewalls and fire-resistant compartments within a building.
Common Reasons Why Fire Doors Fail
Despite the importance of fire doors, 75% of fire doors in the UK fail safety inspections. Understanding the most common reasons for failure is crucial for building owners and facility managers. Here are the top issues:
Improper Installation
Proper installation is essential for fire doors to function correctly. Unfortunately, 31% of fire doors are improperly installed, meaning they fail to meet the required gap tolerances or do not have the right fittings. Even minor mistakes during installation can render a fire door ineffective.
Lack of Maintenance
Fire doors experience wear and tear. The intumescent seals can become damaged, hinges can loosen, or the self-closing mechanism might fail. Without regular fire door inspections, these issues may go unnoticed.
Misuse and Damage
In high-traffic areas, fire doors are more likely to suffer from wear and tear. In many situations, fire doors are propped open, preventing them from performing as intended in an emergency. This misuse is often due to a lack of understanding of fire door safety regulations.
Fire Door Safety: Legal Requirements
Fire doors in the UK are governed by several regulations, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Building Regulations. These laws place the responsibility for fire door maintenance and safety on the responsible person, who is typically the building owner, landlord, or property manager.
What Does the Law Require?
Fire doors in commercial buildings and apartment blocks: All doors that lead to fire escape routes must be fire-rated, self-closing, and regularly inspected.
Internal fire doors in flats: In multi-occupancy (HMO) buildings, internal doors leading to communal areas must meet the FD30 or FD60 rating.
Fire door inspections: Fire door regulations state that fire doors require examination at least every six months or more frequently in high-traffic areas.
Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to legal penalties, but more importantly, it puts lives at risk.
How to Ensure Your Fire Doors Are Safe
Ensuring your fire doors are in good condition can be a lifesaving step in your fire risk assessment. Here are some practical ways to ensure fire door safety compliance:
Inspect the Door and Seals
Check for any visible damage to the door itself. Pay special attention to the intumescent seals, which should be intact and free of wear and tear. These seals expand in high heat to prevent smoke from spreading through the gaps.
Test the Self-Closing Mechanism
The self-closing device ensures the door closes automatically during an emergency. Open the door halfway and release it; if it does not close on its own, the mechanism may need to be repaired.
Check for Certification Labels
Always look for the certification label, such as the Fire Door Alliance badge, which guarantees the door has passed fire resistance tests.
Examine the Gaps
Ensure the gap between the door and the frame is no more than 4mm. A gap more than this can allow smoke to come through - which compromises the door safety.
Do not Prop Open Fire Doors
Never use wedges or hooks to keep fire doors open. Doing this can prevent the door from closing automatically in the event of a fire, allowing flames and smoke to spread more quickly.
Why Choose Ecosafe Group for Fire Door Services?
At Ecosafe Group, we understand the importance of fire door installation, fire door inspections, and fire exit maintenance. Our team is fully accredited and insured, offering personalised services to ensure your fire doors meet UK fire safety standards.
We offer expert fire door services in Dorset, Poole, Bournemouth, and across the South Coast, helping businesses, landlords, and homeowners stay compliant and safe.
Take Action Today.
Fire Door Safety Week 2024 is your chance to guarantee your fire doors are functioning adequately. Perhaps you are a landlord, business owner, or tenant looking to meet the required safety standards - now is the time to inspect your fire doors and ensure their effectiveness. Do not wait for a fire emergency to test whether your fire doors work - take action now.
If you would like to discuss your fire safety needs or to book an inspection, 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
And we will be happy to help!
Comments