The Locksmith Journal Nov-Dec 2017 - Issue 53 | Page 64

64 • FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY

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OFFICIALLY, THERE IS NO LEGAL obligation to inspect fire doors and check these are operating correctly throughout your site. Neglecting to do this can, however, put people’ s lives and property seriously at risk, which is why we suggest periodic checks should be carried out every six months. These recommendations are included with fitting instructions and should be retained by the building owners or users after installation.

For fire doors that are heavily used on a day-to-day basis, inspections should be undertaken even more regularly, to ensure they remain in good working condition.

But when it comes to fire doors, what checks should building owners and managers be performing? While there are no official fire door inspection requirements currently in place, it can be difficult to determine whether a fire door has been installed and maintained safely or not.

Here are our top 10 tips to quickly ensure your fire doors are performing as expected:

1. Look for a label, plug or similar marking that shows the fire door is certified

2. Check the door leaf isn’ t damaged, warped or twisted

3. Ensure the door closes correctly around all parts of the frame 4. Check that the closer seals and latches the door from any position; we suggest about 75mm from the closed position

5. Make sure the gap around the door frame is constant, with no excessive gaps; it should be about 3 – 4mm

6. Ensure all ironmongery is firmly screwed into the door and frame, with no missing screws

7. Make sure the seals at the top and sides of the door are not damaged or missing

8. Check any glass is fitted firmly, making sure any beads holding the glass in place are secure

9. Confirm the door is not wedged or propped open unless with a release system

10. Check the fire door is finished correctly with the appropriate signage

By following these quick and easy steps, you can make sure your fire doors are operating correctly and safely.

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CONSIDERING WHETHER A DOOR closer meets the necessary corrosion resistance standards can save vital costs in the long run.

Alison Aston, Category Manager for Door Closers & PED at UNION, outlines why checking the corrosion resistance of a door closer is so important.

When you are looking for a door closer, you will first want to make sure it works with the size and weight of the door and check if it is certified for use with fire doors, including checking the door material and time specified.

Those have long been the two main considerations for specifiers and installers alike, and rightly so; a door closer needs to be up to the job and not fall foul of a fire inspection.

But, when looking at the EN 1154 or EN 1155 certification of a door closer, how often would you look at the last number in the CE table? This is for corrosion resistance, and can be rather more vital than you may think.

Understanding the corrosion resistance of a door closer is highly important. CE certification gives a grading to how long a door closer can be expected to last, which is stated in 6 grades as defined in EN 1670: 0 – No discernible resistance 1 – Mild resistance( for internal applications with a dry atmosphere)

2 – Moderate resistance( for internal applications where condensation may occur)

3 – High resistance( External applications exposed to occasional rain or dew)

4 – Very high resistance( External applications with severe weather conditions)

5 – Exceptionally high resistance( External, extreme weather conditions)

Considering the corrosion resistance of a door closer is therefore a critical step in specifying the most suitable door closer for the environment in which it is to be installed. If a door closer is needed in a harsh environment – for example, a swimming pool or oil rig – then the potential exposure to salt air demands that a door closer to grade 4 be specified. But this would also be vital for a door closer being fitted to an external door, or to a door accessing( or near to) a kitchen or launderette.

It’ s now even more important to check this grading, as some door closers and / or their covers are being made from lower grade metals. This may make them appear to be better value, but their lower expected operating lifespan can result in early replacement – a situation you will doubtless wish to avoid in the future.

LOCKSMITHJOURNAL. CO. UK | NOV / DEC 2017