Fire doors and inspections: do you know your responsibilities?

Fire doors and inspections: do you know your responsibilities?

What exactly is a fire door and what makes it work?

Fire Door Safety Week is upon us (23^rd – 27^th September) therefore our latest blog looks at fire doors, inspections and asks ‘Do you know your responsibilities?’

Firstly, a fire door is not simply a door, a fire door is an engineered safety device that is a crucial part of the passive fire protection of every commercial, public and multiple occupancy building.

A fire door’s prime purpose is to protect lives and to prevent the passage of fire to other parts of the building or to another building.

Two other important functions of a fire door are:

• When closed, they form a barrier to stop the spread of fire
• When opened, they provide a means of escape

You will no doubt have walked past dozens of fire doors every day at work, home, shops and restaurants and you’ve probably never gave them a second thought.  Many of us don’t give fire doors a second thought until we need them, when a fire breaks out.

What makes a fire door not just simply a door?

The difference with a general door is that a fire door is a complete assembly comprising of the following components:

Always Required

• Door leaf
• Frame / lining
• Intumescent seals
• Latch or lock
• Hinges
• Frame / wall sealing

Optional / When Required

• Smoke seals
• Door closer
• Signage
• Other ironmongery
• Fire door glazing
• Threshold seals
• Air transfer grille

In the event of a fire, a fire door will not work unless all the right components have been fitted correctly and maintained.

Small differences in detail such as glazing apertures, intumescent seals, door frames and ironmongery may significantly affect the performance of the door. The results of changing the specification or not fitting the correct components could be catastrophic.

How do fire doors work?

Fire doors slow down the escalation of fires and create a protected route to safety.  The approved intumescent strips play a crucial part in achieving the fire door rating.  When subjected to temperatures above 200deg C the strips expand and seal the gap between the door edge and frame preventing smoke from travelling.

Fire rated hardware, such as hinges and fire rated handles should all be included to ensure the fire door will work as expected.

When a fire door is closed, it will endure a direct attack by fire for a specified period of time, giving an indicated level of protection.

Now that we’ve focused on what a fire door exactly is, as a building owner, employer or operator – do you know your fire door responsibilities?

Understanding Fire Door Regulations

Fire doors are subject to stringent regulations to ensure they perform as intended in a fire emergency.  In the UK, for example, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly known as the Fire Safety Order (FSO), outlines the legal responsibilities concerning fire safety, including fire doors.

The FSO applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including commercial properties, offices, schools, and public buildings.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 further reinforces the importance of maintaining fire doors in multi-occupancy residential buildings. This legislation places a legal duty on the “responsible person”—usually the building owner, landlord, or employer—to ensure that all fire doors are correctly installed and maintained. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines, legal action, and even imprisonment in severe cases.

The Role of the Responsible Person

The “responsible person” is a legal term used in fire safety regulations to denote the individual or entity responsible for managing fire safety within a building. This person is responsible for carrying out fire risk assessments, implementing fire safety measures, and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations. In the context of fire doors, the responsible person must ensure that:

1. Fire doors are correctly installed according to manufacturer specifications and relevant building codes.
2. Regular inspections and maintenance are conducted to ensure fire doors are functioning properly.
3. Records of inspections and maintenance are kept up-to-date and available for review by fire safety authorities.

Importance of Regular Fire Door Checks

Regular fire door checks are vital to ensuring that these life-saving devices perform as expected in the event of a fire. Fire doors are often exposed to daily wear and tear, which can compromise their integrity over time. Common issues that can affect fire doors include:

• Warped or damaged doors that do not close properly
• Worn or missing seals that prevent smoke from passing through gaps around the door
• Faulty door closers that fail to close the door automatically
• Obstructions or blockages that prevent the door from closing fully

Regular checks can identify these and other issues early, allowing for timely repairs or replacements. Inspections should be carried out by a competent person with the necessary knowledge and training to identify potential problems. Depending on the building’s risk assessment, fire doors should be inspected at least every six months, although more frequent checks may be required in high-traffic areas or buildings with a high fire risk.

Legal Requirements for Fire Door Inspections

The legal requirements for fire door inspections vary depending on the jurisdiction, but there are some common principles that apply universally. In the UK, the Fire Safety Order mandates that fire doors be inspected regularly and maintained in good working order. The responsible person must ensure that:

1. All fire doors are inspected at regular intervals—at least every six months, but more frequently if necessary.
2. Any defects or issues are promptly addressed to ensure the fire door remains effective.
3. Records of all inspections, maintenance, and repairs are kept and made available to fire safety authorities upon request.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with fire door regulations can have serious consequences, both legally and in terms of safety. From a legal standpoint, non-compliance can result in:

• Fines and penalties: Regulatory authorities can impose significant fines on building owners and managers who fail to comply with fire door regulations.
• Criminal charges: In extreme cases, particularly where non-compliance results in injury or death, responsible persons may face criminal charges, including manslaughter.
• Civil liability: Building owners and managers can be held liable in civil court for damages resulting from non-compliance with fire door regulations.

From a safety perspective, the consequences of non-compliance can be catastrophic. Faulty or poorly maintained fire doors can fail to contain fire and smoke, allowing the fire to spread rapidly throughout the building. This not only endangers the lives of occupants but also puts firefighters and other emergency responders at risk.

Best Practices for Fire Door Maintenance

To ensure compliance with fire door regulations and enhance fire safety within a building, responsible persons should adopt the following best practices:

1. Conduct regular fire risk assessments: Regular fire risk assessments will help identify potential fire hazards, including issues with fire doors, and allow for the implementation of appropriate safety measures.
2. Schedule regular fire door inspections: Inspections should be carried out by qualified professionals with the necessary expertise to identify potential issues.
3. Maintain detailed records of all inspections and repairs: Keeping accurate and up-to-date records is essential for demonstrating compliance with fire safety regulations and can be invaluable in the event of an audit or inspection by fire safety authorities.
4. Train staff and occupants on fire safety procedures: Ensure that all building occupants know fire safety procedures, including the importance of keeping fire doors closed and not obstructing them.
5. Promptly address any defects or issues: Any defects identified during inspections should be promptly repaired or replaced to ensure the fire doors function properly.

Conclusion

Fire doors are a critical component of any building’s fire safety strategy, and regular checks are essential to ensure they function as intended in a fire emergency. Building owners, managers, and other responsible persons must understand their legal responsibilities concerning fire door maintenance and take proactive steps to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. By adopting a proactive approach to fire door checks and maintenance, responsible persons can enhance fire safety within their buildings, protect occupants and property, and avoid the severe legal and financial consequences of non-compliance.

Regular fire door checks are not just a legal requirement but a moral responsibility. Ensuring that these life-saving devices are correctly installed and maintained can make all the difference in a fire emergency, providing vital protection for building occupants and helping to save lives.

For more information on fire door safety checks, please contact a member of the Brighter Compliance team on [email protected], our qualified, experienced and friendly team are on hand to support and guide you every step of the way, ensuring your business is compliant and your workforce is safe.