ALL ABOUT THE DOOR
domestic , multi-occupancy premises . Furthermore , the update will enable fire and rescue services to take enforcement action against non-compliant building owners .
In addition , the Building Safety Bill , which will also make sure that the person responsible for safety carries out their duties properly , will be the catalyst for a new national regulator for building safety – ensuring occupants are safe and enforcing higher standards for all buildings . And so , with that in mind , where should those with fire safety responsibilities make a start ?
Necessary Checks The importance of a fully compliant fire door in a fire safety situation simply can ’ t be understated . Available in various ratings , from FD20 to FD120 , fire doors will provide anything from 20 minutes to 120 minutes of protection against a fire , but to do so , they must have all the necessary components fitted and working correctly .
As well as thorough risk assessments , it ’ s key for building managers to inspect their fire doors often , ensuring maintenance is carried out quickly and professionally should it be necessary . These simple checks – inspecting certification , gaps , seals , hinges and closure – can provide a level of assurance that fire doors are functioning as intended .
Fire doors are tested as a complete assembly to BS 476 part 22 or EN1634- 1 , so all the hardware and associated furniture , including door hinge , frame , intumescent seals , wall sealing , latch or lock and door leaf , must achieve the stringent EN classification codes and Health & Safety requirements . At the installation stage , the door must be fitted correctly , avoiding any loose fitting and ensuring elements such as screws are secure and tight . Upom closing , it ’ s vital fire doors close completely , shut tight and engage the latch by use of its own self-closing device . In the event fittings have become loose , responsible parties must ensure maintenance is swift and the doors are once again operating as they should be .
Finally , each fire door must have a minimum of three hinges and these must have a CE stamp and meet BS EN 1935 to achieve the necessary safety standards . Door closers must close from any angle , overcoming any obstacles such as seals , latches and air pressure . In addition , mechanical door closers must meet BS EN 1154 and , if delayed action , should be certified for use on fire doors . Certification labels and ‘ Fire Door , Keep Shut ’ signs , are also key in providing vital information to building occupants , and can be used by building managers for traceability purposes . Wear and tear should be routinely checked also , as well
as locks and latches , which should be secure and without movement when the latch secures into place .
Taking Responsibility
Vulnerable populations are often found in care homes and both sheltered and social housing situations . Residents are dependent on safe living conditions , as is the case in all residential properties , and that responsibility simply can ’ t be avoided .
Today , it ’ s more critical than ever for specialized housing associations and their facility managers to realise that even the smallest of changes to hardware and furniture can have a major impact on the effectiveness of a fire door . Prioritise safety checks and scheduled maintenance periods and the risks associated with fire can be reduced – after all , it ’ s an obligation , both moral and legal .
How Allegion UK can Help .
Allegion UK is a leader in fire doors and door hardware and can provide expert advice for specialised home settings . As industry experts , they can also offer guidance on how best to service and maintain door hardware so that components meet UK fire and safety legislation and regulations .
www . allegion . com
https :// www . gov . uk / government / news / fire-safety-bill , https :// www . gov . uk / government / news / explained-the-draft-building-safety-bill , https :// www . allegion . co . uk / content / dam / allegionuk / Downloads / L9394 % 20- % 20Fire % 20Door % 20Safety % 20Week % 20CHECKLIST _ FINAL . pdf
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