Safety Advisors are supporting the #FireDoorSafetyWeek campaign. To do this, we will be sharing a number of blogs, quick tips and social media posts to hopefully help spread the word and raise awareness to how important Fire Door Safety is.
If you suspect the building you’re living in, working in or visiting has a faulty fire door, don’t walk by – report it to whoever manages or owns the building. You could save a live that day!
- Certification
Look for a label or plug on top (or sometimes on the side) ofthe door.
Without a certification mark, you cannot be sure this is really a firedoor.
You may need to use a mirror or the ‘selfie’ function on your camera phone to do this.
Should you have any concerns – REPORT IT!
2. Gaps
Check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are consistently less than 4mm when the door is closed. The gap under the door can be slightly larger (up tp 8mm) but it does depend on the door. Ideally, you should not see light under the door.
Ensure the gaps are not so big that smoke and fire could travel through the cracks
Use a £1 coin for scale (this is about 3mm thick)
If you have any concerns – REPORT IT!
3. Seals
Look for any intumescent seals around the door & check there is no sign of damage
Be sure the seals expand if they’re in contact with heat & will stop the fire (in some cases smoke) moving through the cracks
Look at the edges of the door and frame
If something doesn’t look right – REPORT IT!
4. Hinges
Check all hinges are firmly fixed (three or more of them) with no missing or broken screws
Be sure the door has been properly maintained, and in the intensity of a fire will perform properly
Open the door and look at the hinges
If you have concerns – REPORT IT!
5. Closing Properly
Check the door closes firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame
A fire door only works when its closed, it is completely useless if it is wedged open or cannot close fully
Open the door about halfway, let go and see what happens when you allow it to closeby itself
Any concerns – REPORT THEM!
This advice is simplified and for general purposes only.
If in doubt you should always refer to the documentation of the door, and if there is a concern we recommend that someone competent is engaged to inspect the fire door – such as a registered FDIS inspector www.fdis.co.uk
Be Safe In Our Knowledge – spread the word about #FireDoorSafetyWeek www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk
