Fire Door Safety Week
Every year, the British Woodworking Federation's Fire Door Safety Week reminds us of the critical role fire doors play in safeguarding lives and property during a fire. Fire doors are an integral part of passive fire protection and are the first line of defence in protecting against both fire and smoke.
Here are five key aspects to check for fire door safety:
Certification: Ensuring a fire-rated doorset has reputable third-party certification is essential. This can be identified by one of the following: a label, plug, or marking that signifies the door's fire rating and certification. The marking should be traceable to the manufacturer and offer reassurance that the doorset has the required certification.
Vision Panels: Vision panels play a vital role in upholding the fire certification of the doorset. Alterations or changes should not be made without prior consultation with the doorset manufacturer.
Gaps & Seals: Ensure that the gap around the door/s remains constant and measure 2-4mm. approved CE-marked hinges must be securely fixed with no missing screws. It is important to check that there are no missing or damaged intumescent seals. All seals should be regularly checked and only replaced with like for like products in line with the manufacturer’s certification.
Closers: Careful consideration needs to be taken when adjusting closers. If applicable, the power size of the closer must be adjusted to accommodate the weight of the doors. The closing speed and latching speed must also be adjusted to achieve the desired opening and closing force.
Operation: Once adjusted, the operation of the doorset should be checked. Ensuring the doorset opens and closes in a smooth and controlled manner.
These guidelines, provided by the British Woodworking Foundation, underscore the importance of fire door safety. But why are fire doors so critical?
The Importance of Fire Doors
Fire doors are an integral part of passive fire protection that compartmentalises a fire. In the event of a fire, it helps contain the blaze and smoke, buying precious time for people to evacuate safely or be rescued. However, a fire door can only fulfil this crucial role if it remains in good working order.
Identifying a Fire Door
Fire Doors can be identified in many ways. There should be a fire door identification disk located on each leaf which states the fire integrity of the doorset i.e. FD30, FD60.
There should also be mandatory fire signage on each door. For example. “Fire Door Keep Shut”, Fire Door Keep Locked Shut”, and “Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear”. There should also be either a manufacturer's identity plug or label which will indicate the fire rating and the certification of that doorset.
Inspecting and Maintaining Fire Doors
Fire Doors should be inspected on a regular basis. Typically, doorsets in high use/ high traffic areas should be inspected more frequently. If the doorset shows any sign of damage or deterioration and in need of repair, this should be consulted with the doorset manufacturer and a qualified fire door inspector or someone who is part of an approved fire door repair and maintenance scheme.
It is recommended that any inspections or repairs are documented and kept for future reference.
Buying Quality Fire Doors
When purchasing fire doors, remember that all components of that doorset contribute to its certification. Vision Panels, hardware and fire stopping are a few examples that are essential to a doorsets fire certification.
Purchasing a complete doorset package including ironmongery is the best way of ensuring you have a fire-compliant doorset.
A doorset with Primary Fire test evidence will offer the reassurance that the complete doorset has been fire tested under the most onerous and demanding conditions. As well as being backed up by the required fire test evidence.
Proper Installation Matters
Fire Doors are engineered to precise tolerances in order to provide the crucial fire protection. Ensuring the doorset is installed by a reputable installer is fundamental, as the installation can play an equally important role to the overall performance of the doorset.
In conclusion, fire doors are a crucial aspect of fire safety in any building. Their proper maintenance, certification, and correct installation can make a life-saving difference in the event of a fire. Always prioritise safety over cost when it comes to fire doors; it's a small investment that can save lives and property.
All SDS doorsets are fire-compliant and are backed up by primary fire test evidence that demonstrates the importance of every component within the build up of a fire door.
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