Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire, especially when we are asleep and at our most vulnerable – and potentially the difference between life and death.
Their correct specification, installation, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants.
That is what Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) are telling people in Fire Door Safety Week, which runs all this week (31 October – 4 November 2022).
Part of the Fire Kills campaign, and backed by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), the Week is encouraging building managers, landlords, tenants and all building users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and repair (if possible) or report those that are not satisfactory.
BWF says that although we know security and safety are high on the agenda for homeowners and renters, fire safety is considered less of a priority, with people six times more likely to report a heating system issue than a fire door one, and twice as likely to report a toilet not flushing or no hot water than a fire door issue. It adds that a third (32%) of the British public would not report a problem with a fire door.
Fire Door Safety Week therefore aims to raise the awareness of the critical role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property in the unfortunate event of a fire.
Group Commander Thom Morgan, Group Commander Protection for HWFRS, said:
“The difference that an effective fire door can make cannot be overestimated. A fire door is not always a fire exit door and is typically identified by a blue ‘FIRE DOOR KEEP SHUT’ sign often at eye level.
“Fire doors are an essential part of our fire protection, they help to compartmentalise a building, such as a block of flats, keeping fire and smoke trapped for a while in one area, so that the fire can be tackled, and people can be safely evacuated.
“If you’ve seen a damaged fire door or know of a flat entrance door that hasn’t been checked for fire performance, report it to your landlord or building manager straight away and if you see a fire door propped open, make sure you shut it – a fire door cannot work when open.”
Fire door breaches remain one of the most common fines implemented under the Fire Safety Order, with common problems ranging from doors being wedged open, missing or damaged doors or even non-fire doors being installed in their place.
Although fire doors’ correct specification, installation, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death, HWFRS still observe common problems in accommodation and businesses, ranging from doors being wedged open, non-fire doors or damaged doors being installed, or even doors completely missing.
HWFRS are therefore encouraging building managers, landlords, tenants and all building users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and repair (if possible) or report those that are not satisfactory.
A fire door is more than a typical door – it’s a complex system of components that need to work together to achieve a life-saving role in preventing the spread of smoke and fire.
If a fire breaks out, a fire door ensures that it can be contained in a “compartment”. This keeps the fire and smoke trapped for a defined period, depending on its fire classification, allowing time for people to get out and make the fire easier to tackle.
Look for the ‘Fire Door Keep Shut’ sign
If you see a damaged fire door or know of a flat entrance door that hasn’t been checked for fire performance, report it to your landlord or building manager straight away.
GC Morgan added: “If you see a fire door propped open, our normal advice is to shut it – a fire door cannot work when open.
“But we’re still seeing instances where fire doors have been wedged open to help prevent the spread of COVID -19 by reducing contact areas.
“While sensible steps can help combat infection, it’s important that this doesn’t happen without a robust risk assessment and procedures to ensure fire doors close in the event of an emergency, to reduce the risk of fire and help the smoke alarm do its job.”
Check out the 5 Step Fire Door Check
Fire Door Safety Week offers these tips for a Five Step Fire Door Toolkit
that anyone can do, and which lets you know whether it’s time to call in the professionals
for fire door safety advice.
- Check for certification – Is there a label or plug on top (or occasionally on the side) of the door to show it is a certificated fire door?
- Check the gaps – Check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are consistently less than 4mm when closed.
- Check the seals condition – Are there any intumescent seals around the door or frame, and are they intact with no sign of damage?
- Check the hinges – Are the hinges firmly fixed (three or more of them), with no missing or broken screws?
- Check the door closes properly – Open the door about halfway, let go and allow it to close by itself. Does it close firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame?
For more details and a wealth of advice and guidance, including the chance to browse the Fire Door Safety Week Toolkit, visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk and A third wouldn’t report fire door safety issues – Fire Door Safety Week .
Here, you can also hear Liz and Clare’s stories about devastating fires in their homes and the damage they caused.