Fire Door Safety Week: What you need to know

This year, Fire Door Safety Week returns between 31 October – 4th November. Now in its 10th year, the campaign raises awareness of the critical role fire doors play in protecting people and property. Managed by the British Woodworking Federation, Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) is supported by a number of partners, including the National Fire Chief’s Council, London Fire Brigade, and the Home Office. 

From manufacturers and managers to building users and occupants, a great number of people play a part in preventing fire door neglect. However, nearly a third of those responsible for fire door safety admit they do not fully understand their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act. Moreover, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) found that 75% of fire doors inspected in the UK did not meet requirements, warning of a ‘tragedy waiting to happen’. This 2021 study showed minimal improvement from 2019, in which the FDIS found that 76% of doors were not fit for purpose.

These figures demonstrate a real need to bring clarity to fire door maintenance. Here, we outline the steps to ensure a fire door performs as intended, including who is responsible, what to look out for, and how to meet legal obligations.

What is a fire door?

A door is not just a door when it comes to fire safety. Fire doors are purpose-built and tested to withstand fire for a defined period of time and keep it contained in one area. The most important functions of fire doors are:

1. To keep a fire in the compartment in which it starts.
2. To delay the spread of fire, protecting people (and contents) in other compartments.
3. To provide a route for safe escape (when opened).

Why is fire door maintenance important?

Fire doors are crucial for protecting property and life in the event of a fire – they can be the difference between life and death. As an example, detectives found that the front door of a flat tested from Grenfell Tower resisted fire for half as long as required. It was supposed to withstand fire for 30 minutes but lasted 15 minutes in the test. With 71 people dying in this tragedy, the critical importance of fire door assessments cannot be overlooked. 

Who is responsible for maintaining fire doors?

Fire door safety isn’t just important in high rise buildings, it’s crucial in all commercial, public and multiple occupancy buildings, from schools to care homes. 

Whatever the purpose of a building, it is a legal requirement of the ‘responsible person’ to undertake fire door assessments, complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure the safety of users of the property. Under the order, the responsible person for fire door safety can be anyone with control of a premises, or specific areas/systems within a business. 

One or more people may be responsible for making sure fire doors aren’t neglected, depending on the nature of the premises. For example, the landlord/owner of a large hotel may be responsible for assessing fire doors in one area, while a facilities manager or employer inspects fire doors in another (more on fire safety regulations in hospitality).  

How often should fire doors be inspected?

Fire doors may be part of a building’s ‘passive’ fire protection system, but they’re often the first line of defence when it comes to fire safety – just as critical to regularly inspect as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and fire escape plans. Periodic checks should be carried out at least once every six months, however frequency of inspections can depend on the age and condition of the fire door. For example,

• newly occupied buildings may require more frequent checks in the first year of use.
• doors in high use may be more susceptible to damage and should be checked more frequently. Depending on usage this could be once per week or on a monthly basis. 

What to look for during a fire door assessment

Fire Door Safety Week not only serves to raise awareness of the importance of fire doors, it also helps educate the construction industry and property owners in what’s required in terms of specification, supply, installation, operation, inspection and maintenance of the doors. Knowing how a fire door works can ensure a responsible person makes a thorough assessment. Here are five key features to inspect in order to keep a fire door fit for purpose:

1. Certification. All fire doors should have a certification mark at the top (or side) of the door, from an approved fire testing centre. Without one, it cannot be confirmed if the door is fire-safe.
2. Gaps. Excessive gaps were one of the most common reasons for fire doors failing FDIS inspections in 2021. Check that gaps around the top and sides of the door are less than 4mm and the bottom is up to 5mm when closed. This is to prevent smoke travelling through the cracks.
3. Seals. Fire doors or frames have intumescent seals which expand in contact with heat, stopping flames (and sometimes, smoke) from flowing through the cracks. Make sure fire door seals meet regulations, are fully intact, and show no signs of damage.
4. Hinges. Three or more hinges should be firmly fixed to the door and frame, with all screws intact and working. Due to the weight and purpose of a fire door, hinges should be CE-marked and manufactured to extremely high standards. A top example is the Grade 13 Fire Door Hinge, which is fire tested to BS EN1634-1: 2000 – FD60 timber and FD240 steel. 
5. Closing. A fire door should close properly and securely around all parts of the frame and floor, without sticking. It should never be propped open – a fire door only works when it’s closed. For residents, hotel guests, and other building occupants who may be unaware about the role fire doors play in saving lives and properties, fire door signs are important for informing those on the premises to keep fire doors closed and surroundings clear.

In a survey by the British Woodworking Federation, 88% of those responsible for fire door safety agreed that the traceability of a complete fire door assembly was important to the organisations they worked on behalf of. From double panic bolts to push pad latches, our fully certified fire door hardware ensures peace of mind. 

As well as ensuring quality fire door safety components and checks, we urge everyone to support Fire Door Safety Week. Visit the campaign website for more information, or keep up the conversation by following @FDSafetyWeek on Twitter. 

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