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» FIRE DOORS SAVE LIVES in two ways . When they are closed , they form a barrier to prevent fire from spreading . When they are open , they provide a way to safely escape .
All fire doors must be frequently inspected to ensure they are in good condition and will act as
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expected in a fire scenario . You should do this as part of your building ’ s risk assessment , as regular maintenance of the door will help keep the occupants safe . At Abloy , we understand that fire door standards and regulations can be complex and difficult to manage . We ’ ve designed |
this guide to help any Responsible Persons to ensure fire doors are in an optimum condition and ready to perform .
If you suspect a fire door is damaged or faulty , or spot that the door has any of the problems listed in the guide , have it immediately checked by a competent person .
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This guide provides simplified general advice . If you are in any doubt or suspect your fire doors breach any of the points , immediately seek the advice of a Fire Risk Assessor or call our experts on 01902 364 500 or email info @ abloy . co . uk . |
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Certification 16 % of all fire doors |
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Obstructed doors To perform effectively , |
inspected in 2019 weren ’ t genuine . To identify a legitimate fire door , look for its certification . You can locate the CE-marked label or plug on the top or the side of the door . Often , fire doors also have warning signage or emergency lighting above the door to indicate that it ’ s part of an escape route . |
fire doors must be able to shut firmly so regularly check they aren ’ t wedged or propped open . Likewise , they should not be blocked with furniture or other barriers . If you find this happening , immediately remove the obstruction and raise awareness with the building ’ s occupants so they understand the risk . |
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Hinges & latches Hinges are vital to a |
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Gaps
Gaps are one of
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fire door ’ s integrity . There must be a minimum of three hinges that are of the correct specification to the building type . Frequently check their screws are all in place and tightly secured . Likewise , ensure the latch clicks when the fire door closes , and that it holds firmly in place without rattling . |
the top three reasons fire doors failed in 2019 inspections . If the gap is too large , smoke and fire can easily spread , so ensure they are limited to 3mm at the tops and sides of the fire door , and less than 8mm at the bottom . You shouldn ’ t be able to see any light coming from beneath the door . |
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Seals Intumescent seals around a fire |
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Closing doors Fire doors need |
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Doors & frames Visually examine the doors and |
door are a few mm thick and act as a final barrier to fire and smoke . Examine them to make sure they ’ re continuous , intact and without any damage , particularly as they can sometimes be accidently painted over . |
to automatically close firmly on the latch without sticking to the floor . Open the door and wait for it to close on its own , which should take around 8 seconds . Correctly installed door closers – the metal box and lever at the top of the door – can automate this while maintaining ompliance . If a fire alarm sounds , these will automatically release the doors , and should be tested weekly . |
frames are secured and have no wear and tear . Doors should not have gaps or holes and mustn ’ t be warped . Also ensure that glass in the door is not cracked either . The frames , which are just as integral as the doors and must be bought from an appropriately licensed company , should be checked in case they are coming away from the walls or ceilings . |
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