Our advisors continue to support our clients when conducting fire risk assessments for their premises. Fire doors are often forgotten about and are neglected when it comes to carrying out inspections. Common failings during inspections are as follows:
- Fire or smoke seals missing, or were found to be inadequate by not fitting properly or incorrectly fitted
- Incorrect signage
- Unsuitable hinges
- Excessive gaps between the door frame and the door (the gap should not be greater than 3mm)
- Damage to the leaf
A fire door can save a life and property by holding back the flames and smoke enabling the escape route to remain clear and it also gives you extra time to vacate the building or to be rescued.
A fire door must never be wedged open unless it is fitted on a door guard which releases when the fire alarm sounds.
Simple 5 Point Safety Checks that could save lives
Carry out regular inspections on your Fire doors and rectify any faults immediately.
- Check the certification to confirm the door is an actual fire door
- Check that the gap between the door and the frame is not in excess of 3mm when closed
- Check that the seals on the frame or the door are intact and not damaged
- Check all hinges on the door are secure, with all screws intact
- Check that the door firmly closes from any position when you let go
Fire doors should be carefully fitted by a competent person and fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you drill holes into the door this could compromise the integrity of the fire door which could lead to it not offering you any protection in the event of a fire.
Note – Smoke Inhalation is the biggest cause of fatalities in fires and having intumescent seals on fire doors will reduce the amount of smoke entering through it.
