Why Doors For Commercial Buildings Need To Be Fire Safe

All commercial premises are subject to legal and mandatory requirements with regards to the fire safety of the building itself and any occupants.

Here is an explanation of the reasons for this and some information as to how to meet these requirements:

There is a duty of care

The overriding reason for installing fire doors for commercial buildings is one of a legal, and moral, duty of care to all who work within or visit the commercial premises. This duty of providing safety for all within a commercial building is for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Often some of the safety requirements may appear to be ‘overkill’ or seem inconvenient at best and tedious and unnecessary at worst. This is, however, not the case. You cannot underestimate the importance and necessity of these safety regulations. Not only is your business under serious threat from a fire outbreak but, more importantly, people’s health, safety and welfare are threatened by a fire outbreak on your premises!

Mandatory requirements to be aware of

There are clear and concise guidelines for meeting the mandatory and legal requirements for fire safety. Amongst these recommendations, doors for commercial buildings are an important factor.

Fire resistant doors MUST be installed at relevant points around the premises. All the relevant guidelines are clearly defined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, sometimes referred to as the RRO or the FSO. This document lays out the minimum requirements for fire safety within commercial buildings and will suggest recommendations for all fire warning systems, fire fighting equipment, building evacuation plans and the types – and quality – of commercial security doors you should install.

Understanding the full function of fire doors

Commercial security doors have two functions. The main function is the protection they provide in the event of a fire outbreak. These fire-resistant doors, when closed, will form a barrier from the source of the fire outbreak to any adjoining rooms or areas. This barrier is to prevent the spread of fire, heat, and any potentially fatal smoke for a specified period depending upon the type of fire door installed.

For example, an FD30 fire door will provide 30 minutes containment whilst a FD60 will provide 60 minutes containment. Fire doors are also available in higher grades. This timed containment of all the fire elements helps provide the second function of commercial security doors, that is, to present a safe means of egress from the building for all occupants and delays the spread of fire until emergency services can attend the outbreak, thus minimising damage to the building itself and its’ contents.

The RRO will also provide information around the safe use of these fire doors. They should NEVER be blocked nor the pathways to them impeded in any way, and these commercial security doors should always be fitted with the appropriate opening and closing mechanisms to ensure maximum safety for any occupants. Failure to adhere to these standards constitutes a criminal offence and, if in the event of a fire outbreak, injury or loss of life occurs, will lead to criminal prosecution for the building owners and/or management, on whom the duty of care rests!

Where to install fire doors

All commercial buildings are required to install fire doors. Any domestic dwelling that is more than two storeys high, any mixed-use commercial property (a building containing both commercial and residential areas), and non-domestic buildings, all have stipulated fire security regulations and requirements that MUST be satisfied.

Whatever function for which your commercial building is used, you must carry out an appropriate risk assessment in line with the specific requirements laid out in the RRO for that type of building.

Speak to an established and recognised manufacturer and supplier of doors for commercial buildings to establish exactly which types and quality of doors you need for your specific building requirements.

Enfield Doors

If you are required to install or replace some or all of the doors for your commercial buildings and would like to find out more about commercial security doors in the UK, we can help. Our team of experts is always on hand to guide you and give you sound and pragmatic advice based on years of experience and successful installations.

If you would like further information on our company, please contact us and we will respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you.