THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE DOOR SAFETY
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Fire safety is something every business and building owner should take seriously, and fire doors play a vital role in helping to protect people and property.
Often overlooked, a fire door is much more than simply a door. When correctly installed, maintained and used, it forms an important part of a building’s fire protection strategy, helping to slow the spread of fire and smoke and providing valuable time for people to evacuate safely.
1. What is the purpose of a fire door?
Fire doors are designed to resist fire and smoke for a specified period of time. When closed, they help compartmentalise a building, preventing fire and smoke from spreading quickly from one area to another.
This can help protect escape routes and give occupants more time to leave the building safely. However, a fire door can only perform as intended if it is in good condition and all of its components are working correctly.
2. Why are regular checks so important?
Fire doors are used every day, which means they can experience wear and damage over time. Small problems can easily go unnoticed - a damaged seal, loose hinge, faulty door closer or excessive gap around the door may not seem significant, but these issues can affect the door’s performance in the event of a fire.
Regular inspections can help identify problems early, allowing them to be repaired before they become a bigger concern.
Key things to check include:
- The door closes fully and latches correctly.
- There is no significant damage to the door or frame.
- Intumescent and smoke seals are present and in good condition.
- Hinges and hardware are secure and functioning properly.
- Gaps around the door are appropriate and not excessive.
- The door isn’t being propped or wedged open.
Don’t overlook the door closer...
A fire door needs to be able to close properly to perform its intended function. Door closers are therefore an important part of the overall fire door assembly. If a closer is damaged, incorrectly adjusted or no longer operating correctly, the door may not close as it should.
Fire doors should never be routinely wedged or propped open unless an appropriate, properly installed and maintained system is in place that allows the door to close automatically when required.
Fire door safety is everyone’s responsibility
It’s easy to think about fire safety as something that only matters in an emergency. In reality, preparation and regular maintenance are what make the difference. Fire doors should be treated as part of a building’s wider fire safety measures, rather than something that can simply be checked and forgotten about.
Regular inspections, appropriate maintenance and making sure people understand how fire doors should be used can all help keep them ready to perform their role when they’re needed.
So how can Radecarl help?
At Radecarl, we understand the importance of keeping buildings safe, maintained and fit for purpose. Our team can help with fire door checks, maintenance and remedial works, identifying potential issues and helping ensure your fire doors remain in good working order.
So don’t wait until there’s a problem to check your fire doors. Check them. Maintain them. Keep them ready.
Get in touch with Radecarl to discuss your fire door safety requirements.
