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Fire door inspections are vital.
Fire doors should be considered as a life-saving device as the door is often what holds back smoke and flames, protecting occupants.
A closed fire door, which has been properly installed and maintained can typically protect against smoke and flames for 30 minutes or longer, giving people more chance of escape or rescue.
A fire door can also limit damage to other parts of the building and keep escape routes safe in the event of emergency.
What does a fire door inspection consist of?
Inspections of fire doors are crucial in ensuring that we maintain the compartmentation of the space it is protecting.
When undertaking a fire door survey, we will check to make sure the door is suitably fire rated and has been installed correctly. We’ll then look at intumescent strips and seals to make sure the intumescent strips are in place and if necessary and where appropriate, cold smoke seals are also in place.
We check to make sure the glass is suitably fire rated and installed. We’ll also check hinges to make sure they’re fire rated, that there are three of them and all screws are properly in place.
The next thing to check is the gaps around fire doors to make sure they’re within tolerance both around the sides and top and bottom of our doors, to avoid any smoke escaping.
We also look at the door handles and the locking mechanisms to ensure that they are the right ones for the door in question, have been correctly fitted and have intumescent sleeves around them.
Right door, right place
Part of the fire door inspection is ensuring that the right door is fitted in the specified spot. Choosing the wrong door could literally mean the difference between life and death.
Wrong glazing or hardware, or missing seals or hinges might mean the door would not provide adequate protection for the occupants of the building.
In short, a fire door survey makes sure that, where necessary, fire and smoke is kept inside the compartment in question. The door must be good quality, fit for purpose, and regularly checked in case of any damage or wear and tear that might affect its integrity.
In the UK, there is specific legislation for fire door inspections so that building occupants can safely evacuate.
Fire door inspections should be carried out by a qualified and competent person with the necessary skills and experience to identify any potential issues with the door.
Non-compliance can lead to legal action, fines, or even a prison sentence in the event of a serious fire.
Fire door inspections should take place annually or more in communal areas and in high-risk areas and the results should be properly recorded.
For help with your fire door inspections, call Acorn Safety Services today on 01604 930380.
