Doors & Windows
door must be held open for operational reasons, such as a large, busy hospital environment for example, an appropriate hold-open or automatic release solution must be specified, as opposed to relying on a foreign object or obstruction.
Simple actions, safer buildings
A propped open fire door is not always the result of poor education or behaviour, either. Where a door is routinely wedged open out of convenience, it may indicate that the assembly is not operating correctly and is therefore proving more difficult to open and close than intended.
In such a case, occupants must not disconnect, adjust or remove self-closing devices themselves. Instead those responsible for fire safety should investigate the door’ s operation, ensuring that hardware is correctly specified for its purpose and the environment in which it is installed. Problems can become more prevalent when door hardware is damaged, with loose hinges, impaired closers or warped doors either going unnoticed or simply dismissed as a cosmetic issue rather than something that may hinder performance. With this, addressing the underlying mechanical issue is far more effective than
simply reminding users to keep the door closed.
Improper maintenance can also have unintentional consequences. Residential settings in particular may be subject to another seemingly inconsequential behaviour in the form of repeated decorating, which can actually result in paint or other finishes preventing hinges, closers, locks and seals from operating as designed. Similarly, adding or modifying items on a fire door such as coat hooks, signs or letterboxes without confirming they have been tested or assessed as part of the original assembly, can compromise the fire rating and may invalidate certification.
Fire door safety does not end with responsible persons and professionals then; it is influenced by everyone who uses a building. With that, it’ s vital to make safe behaviour both understandable and achievable for those who live, work and spend time in and around a space. In many cases, these simple, but informed decisions can make a significant difference:
• Avoid wedging or propping open fire doors
• Keep doorways and swing paths clear at all times
• Avoid tampering with fire door hardware or removing components
• Avoid using excessive force when opening and closing doors, and report doors that are difficult to operate
• Report visible damage, faults or unusual changes in operation
• Do not add, remove or modify components without professional advice
• When unsure, seek appropriate professional guidance rather than improvising a solution
This collective approach does not require everyone to become an expert. In fact, inspections, repairs and adjustments should always be carried out by suitably competent professionals. However, fire door safety is a shared responsibility, and sometimes protecting lives can come down to the smallest of everyday actions.
The industry faces an ongoing challenge to change the perception surrounding fire doors and must elevate them from being seen as a humble entrance or exit to a specialised piece of life-saving equipment. Because when a fire door is recognised as a critical part of a building’ s passive fire protection, and is used as intended, it is better placed to perform effectively when it matters most.
www. allegion. com
Sources: https:// www. firedoorsafetyweek. co. uk, https:// www. firedoorsafetyweek. co. uk / news-events / news / one-in-three-gen-z-adults-believe-a-wedged-open-fire-door-makes-them-safe /
CLEARVIEW-UK. COM NOVEMBER 2026
41