THE regions fire service is urging people to ensure their fire doors are the correct specification and are properly installed and maintained.
HWFRS are emphasising the importance of fire doors as the first line of defence in a blaze, encouraging those who have them installed in their properties to make sure they are serving their purpose.
As part of the Fire Kills campaign, Fire Door Safety Week (September 25-29), brings to everyone’s attention how fire door breaches remain one of the most common fines implemented under the Fire Safety Order.
Common problems range from doors being wedged open, missing or damaged or even non-fire doors being installed instead.
Building managers, landlords, tenants and all building users are encouraged to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and repair, if possible, or report those that aren’t satisfactory.
Thom Morgan, HWFRS group commander for protection, said: “It cannot be underestimated the difference that an effective fire door can make.
“A fire door is not always a fire exit door and is typically identified by a blue ‘FIRE DOOR KEEP SHUT’ sign often at eye level.
“Fire doors are an essential part of our fire protection.
“They help to compartmentalise a building, such as a block of flats, keeping fire and smoke trapped for a while in one area so that the fire can be tackled and people can be safely evacuated.
“If you’ve seen a damaged fire door or know of a flat entrance door that hasn’t been checked for fire performance, report it to your landlord or building manager straight away and if you see a fire door propped open, make sure you shut it – a fire door cannot work when open.”
The following advice has been issued to help ensure fire doors are up to standards:
- Check for certification – is there a label or plug on top, or occasionally on the side, of the door to show it is a certificated fire door?
- Check the gaps – check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are consistently less than 4mm when closed.
- Check the seals condition – are there any intumescent seals around the door or frame and are they intact with no sign of damage?
- Check the hinges – are the hinges firmly fixed (three or more of them) with no missing or broken screws?
- Check the door closes properly – open the door about halfway, let go and allow it to close by itself. Does it close firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame.
Visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk for more.
