Important facts about external fire doors

We haven’t talked about external fire doors so far in 2017, so here is a brief reminder of the key facts that you need to know – and it all starts with the term ‘Fire exit’, which has a very specific meaning and is covered by important regulations.

What is a Fire exit?

Strictly speaking, all doors inside a building that lead to the final fire exit (i.e. the door to the outside) can be classified as fire exits, although in this article we’re concentrating on the final fire exit, which we’ll refer to as the external fire door.

The external fire door must be easy to open

All of the doors which are situated on escape routes leading towards the final exit should be quick and easy to open without needing a key, and there shouldn’t be any obstructions.

The reasons are obvious, but if you think about it they present a problem with the final exit door – as while of necessity it needs to be easily opened from within, it should not be easily opened from without (for security reasons).

So how do we get around this problem?

• One of the traditional solutions was to use what are called “barrel bolts”, modified so that the stop (which is designed to prevent the bolt being withdrawn too far under normal circumstances) is removed at installation. This means that the bolt can be withdrawn completely whenever the building is occupied.  The problem with this approach is that it relies on someone – known in the process as the “Responsible Person” – remembering to follow the correct procedures.
• Panic bars (sometimes known as “push bars”). These are a far better solution, not only as no-one has to remember to remove or replace the bolts, but because minimal pressure from the inside will release the locking mechanism.  Panic bars are therefore ideal in public buildings, where people are probably unfamiliar with the building and may panic (hence the name) if they need to evacuate.  Where access from the outside is required, secure external access devices can be fitted.
• Emergency pads (sometimes known as “push pads”). These are similar in function to panic bars, but feature a small pad and not a horizontal bar.  They are unsuitable for exits which may be required by the general public, being intended for members of staff familiar with the building.  If installed they should be accompanied by a sign explaining how to use them, and as with panic bars if access from the outside is required then secure external access devices can be fitted.
• Redlam emergency bolts. These involve a tube mechanism which, when the tube is broken, automatically slides the bolt back and unlocks the door.  These solutions are definitely not for the general public, rather for staff use only and on doors which are never normally used.

Do high security establishments have different standards?

For safe and quick evacuation, absolutely not!  People’s safety will always come first.  However, if the building is a high security establishment then more sophisticated and more secure mechanisms may be required – but they must still provide adequate fire exit methods.

Many of these mechanisms use magnets, electricity, solenoids, motorised locks and so on.  If these are in use then the following principles should be observed:

• electromagnetic devices should have a manual override
• locks should release on a power failure
• locks should release on operation of the fire alarm
• emergency disconnection arrangements should be provided at each locked door on the exit route; these will normally be in the form of a “break glass” unit positioned adjacent to the door

About the regulations

For new buildings, or buildings which are subject to major alterations, extensions, or changes of use, there are specific building regulations that apply to fire doors.  The regulations are referred to as approved documents.

These approved documents are designed to ensure that minimum standards are met for construction in the UK, and cover areas such as accessibility, ventilation, sound and thermal efficiency as well, of course, as fire safety.

Note that in addition to these building regulations the fire doors may also have to comply with various other criteria such as BREEAM and CPET.

Existing buildings are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, often abbreviated to RRO or FSO. This reform stipulates that the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and then design and supervise the operation of a fire management plan.

You should also be familiar with Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations (England and Wales). It stipulates that fire safety information should be provided to the “responsible person” at the completion of a project (or when the building is first occupied).

The information provided should include all fire safety design measures in appropriate detail and with sufficient accuracy to assist the responsible person in operating and maintaining the building safely, including the fire doors.

The contractor is responsible for handing over this information to the client or their appointed representative, and this could vary considerably according to the nature of the building or contract. Typical recipients are likely to be a Health and Safety or Environmental Health Officer, client’s surveyor or architect, or building project manager responsible for the final sign-off of the building contract.  In turn, the client should then provide the relevant information to the “responsible person”.

Speak to the experts

It’s been a consistent theme of our articles, not only the sheer quantity of information relating to external fire doors but the absolute necessity of getting it right.  That’s why, as we’ve said so often, it’s vital that you talk to the experts.

For further information please go directly to our page on fire doors, or go straight to our contact page.

As always we’ll be delighted to help and advise you.