Fire Door Safety Week

 

This week is Fire Door Safety Week! This campaign doesn’t just point the finger, but focuses on what we need to know so that we can all encourage best practice. To make a difference, we all need to take responsibility and report signs of wear and tear and where fire doors are not being used properly. Fire Door Safety week is extremely important and this is reflected by research that has found that 63% of people interviews by the Fire Door Safety Campaign think that their place of work is at risk with only 43% of people understanding the purpose of a fire door is to keep the fire door contained for a specific time

Today’s blog will be focusing on the myths surrounding fire doors!

 

Myth 1

Standard doors can be made into fire doors by fitting larger doorstops to the existing frame.

Truth

Additional doorstops do not turn a standard door into a fire door. A fire door requires all items to meet the specification stated on the fire door certificate.

 

Myth 2

Painting a door with fire retardant paint makes it a fire door

Truth

BWF Certifire would not recognise this as a fire door. A fire door is made up of many compatible and fire tested materials and components, all listed on the fire door certificate. A lick of paint will not turn a standard door into a fire door

 

 

Myth 3

Any lock can be fitted onto a fire door because it’s made of metal, and metal doesn’t burn in a fire.

TRUTH

You can only fit a fire tested and compatible lock as listed on the fire door certificate as excessive removal of material from the door leaf can impact performance in a fire. Metal gets hot in a fire, so don’t forget the intumescent protection if needed.

 

Myth 4

 

 If a fire door is too big, it can be cut down to fit.

Truth

A fire door can only be trimmed by the amount permitted on the manufacturers fitting instructions and fire door certificate. Resizing doors outside of the limitations set on the fire door certificate invalidates certification

 

Myth 5

The gap between the fire door and the frame doesn’t matter

 

Truth

The dimension of the gap around the entire perimeter of the door is critical to preventing the passage of toxic fumes and smoke in the event of a fire. On a fire door with smoke seals this gap is commonly 3mm but always check the fitting instructions or the fire door certificate.

 

 

Myth 6

People can fit their own glazed panels in fire doors.

Truth

To manufacture a fire door with a glazed panel requires a number of correct components and should only be carried out by someone who is licensed and trained to do so. Cutting holes in doors for vision panels on site invalidates fire door certification

 

 

Myth 7       

When fitting a fire door, you don’t need the little packers that come with hinges and other ironmongery. You can throw them away

Truth

Every fire door must have a current independently accredited test certificate. This proves the door’s fire rating, test criteria, and manufacturing compliance. It also shows that the door’s components meet strict performance and compliance standards. It also gives critical information about installation

 

 

Myth 8

Fire doors have to be assessed by the fire brigade

Truth

Since October 2006, it is the responsible person’s duty to carry out fire risk assessments. The fire service does not carry out fire risk assessments of commercial or industrial premises

 

 

If you ever have any concerns regarding the safety of your fire door please contact your provider or get in touch with MCL Fire to see how we can help!