4 Tips For Fire Door Safety In Schools
Every school has a duty of care for its pupils and staff, in many different aspects – behaviourally, educationally, personally, and of course, of paramount importance, for their safety and security. Of all these vital responsibilities, fire safety is a main consideration, and an important aspect of that protection are the fire doors installed in the schools and colleges. In schools the doors need to be functional on a practical level as well as the safety considerations – schools and colleges are areas of heavy footfall and passageways that accommodate both children and adults in varied capacities and all doors need to provide both safety and access. Here are some of the major aspects to consider when considering doors for schools:
Fire Safety
All public buildings, including schools, must have fire safety precautions in place to comply with the legal requirements – and fire doors are essential in providing protection. Any door that acts as an escape route from a building must not be locked and be equipped with a ‘push-bar’ or similar mechanism to ensure quick and easy opening. There will be specific rooms within a school environment where internal fire doors are essential – science laboratories, kitchens, and canteens, and such – these spaces MUST be protected with effective fire doors that can prevent the spread of any fire outbreak and its harmful elements to adjoining areas.
Finger Safe Doors
It is an alarming fact that more than 30,000 children trap and seriously injure their fingers in doors every year – often resulting in hospitalisation and, in some cases, amputation! Most of these ‘finger-trapping’ injuries occur on internal doors, usually on the ‘hinged side’ – fire doors are especially heavy, and those installed with automatic closing mechanisms can easily catch people’s fingers, causing considerable pain and damage. The most effective preventative measure against these injuries is to install finger safe doors with finger guards – they are available to be fitted on both sides of a door, not just the hinged side, and will prevent accidental trapping of fingers. In 2020 the mandatory requirements for new construction of educational buildings, laid out by the UK Department For Education, were updated to include integral finger guards on all doors of any educational establishments being built.
Glazed Fire Doors
Many rooms within school environments will require visibility from adjoining corridors and rooms, so fire doors with glazed panels are required. The correct type and thickness of glass must be incorporated into the door to offer the best protection against flame, heat, and smoke in the event of a fire outbreak. Consider also that the fixtures for the glass fitting – the beading and sets – must also be of the required standard and quality to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations to effectively provide the high levels of safety needed in schools. These fire doors can again be fitted with finger guards to make them finger safe doors.
Hygiene
Hygiene is another important aspect to consider when installing doors for these environments. Salmonella, MRSA, and e-coli bacteria – amongst others – can be protected against by use of doors treated with protective additives as part of the door finish or lacquer that work by denying any harmful bacteria access to the nutrients that they need to survive and thrive therefore keeping the doors germ-free – an important consideration where children and young adults are concerned.
Whilst these points mentioned are important from a safety aspect, you should also consider the aesthetic appearance of fire doors in these environments. The features of both single and double fire doors can offer that high-end look as well as the practicalities and safety functions – fire doors can be fitted with modern-design hinges, a range of glazing options and door frames and bodies in different finishes and coatings – an experienced fire door manufacturer can provide you with bespoke fire doors to suit any environment whilst advising you on all aspects of fire door safety.
Enfield Doors – for finger safe doors and glazed fire doors for schools and education settings
Enfield Doors, are an established bespoke door manufacturers in the UK trading for many years and manufacturing doors of all types to every environment across industry and the home. Their knowledgeable and experienced staff can advise you on all aspects of pre-hung fire doors including manufacture, installation, maintenance and security. If you would like further information on our company, please fill out a contact form and we will respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you.
