Top 5 most common problems with the use of fire doors
We’ve all seen fire doors in our places of work, public buildings and hotels. There is a natural assumption that, when we see a fire door, we believe it to be there for our safety, and most people will understand the concept of the function they perform. In the event of a fire breaking out, a fire door will help contain the fire in a specific area and help prevent its’ spread, as well as offering protection from smoke inhalation. However, there are a number of reasons that a fire door may not be as effective in this purpose as it should. The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) are the safety standards body who oversee these aspects, and recent findings show that there are sometimes issues that compromise that safety.
Previously we’ve published a 5 step fire safety check to make sure your fire doors are up to the mark.
Incorrectly fitted or damaged fire / smoke seals
Fire and smoke seals are a vital component of a fire door. If incorrectly fitted, then smoke can seep through and present danger to people in an adjoining room/space. If the door is not fully sealed then the containment of both the smoke, and the fire itself, will be severely compromised.
Fire doors permanently propped open
This is a common problem – fire doors are often left open for convenience – perhaps people are moving things in and out of rooms, carrying heavy materials. In hotels, for example, guests may be moving suitcases, staff may be pushing trolleys, and it is easier to prop a door open. However, this is a very dangerous precedent – fire could break out at any point, and these doors are installed for the very purpose of fire and smoke containment. An open fire door offers no protection whatsoever!
Damaged fire doors
Damage to a fire door can render it ineffective. In order for a fire door to perform effectively, it must be in full working order. The recent checks performed showed that around 15% had damage to the door leaf, or other components, compromising their primary use.
Ill-fitting doors in frames
The FDIS have identified that 1 in five fire doors have unsuitable hinges. This issue may prevent a fire door from closing correctly therefore not forming the sealed barrier that it is supposed to. Likewise, excessive gaps between a door and frame can also render the door inefficient for safety purposes – If this gap is greater than 3mm, then it is deemed excessive. A fire door is only as good, or effective, as its installation.
Incorrect signage
Findings also showed that around a third of fire doors have incorrect signage. If a fire door is not correctly identified as such, then that may lead to the door not being used effectively by people in the building (for example, being propped open as highlighted earlier).
Enfield Doors
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