When Is Fire Door Replacement Needed
Those responsible for any building that houses fire doors – and especially those buildings for which the installation and presence of fire doors is legally mandatory – needs to be aware of the need for regular inspection of the doors to ensure that they are always ‘fit for purpose’! Building owners, managers, or landlords will want to ensure that they are spared the expense and inconvenience of having to replace these doors at any stage, and that the scheduled fire risk assessments do not reveal substandard or ineffective fire doors – here are some aspects of fire door maintenance to consider:
Replacing Fire Doors
Fire door replacement is never a cheap undertaking – replacing an internal timber fire door can be three times as expensive as repairing an existing fire doorset. Developments in improved fire door repair techniques can potentially save you a lot of money and time, so it is always worth consulting with an established fire door manufacturer or supplier before replacing damaged or faulty fire doors.
Regular Inspections and Repairs
Conducting regular, thorough fire door inspections will go a long way to highlighting any defaults early or as they occur – having this pro-active approach to fire door maintenance can save your business considerable costs and mitigate the frequency of replacing fire doors many times over – as well as the more important function of ensuring the health and safety of your building occupants and users! Regular inspection also demonstrates due diligence on the part of the business or building owners with regards to the responsible legislation to fire safety compliance.
Repair Versus Replace
Wherever possible, repairing a fire door is the preferable option to the expensive, disruptive, inconvenient, and time-consuming alternative of a full fire door replacement! Any damage or extensive wear to a fire door can be repaired to extend the door’s life and restoring its full working integrity, if captured early enough. This repair work will also maintain the existing doors’ original finish as well as having the bonus of being more environmentally sustainable by not having to use fresh materials to produce a whole new doorset.
Total Fire Door Replacement
The aspects to look out for when reviewing a fire door performance include:
- Fire Door Frame – Ensure it is square and there are no gaps around the outside.
- Fire Door Seals – Ensure that the intumescent seals are correctly fitted and undamaged.
- Glazed Panels – Ensure that the glazed panels are intact without any cracks.
- Door Hardware – Ensure all the door hardware is secure and lubricated with no signs of wear and tear.
- Safety Signage – Ensure that all compliant fire signs are fitted, in good condition and clearly visible.
In instances where the damage or wear to the door cannot be restored through repair, then a total fire door replacement must be installed. In these cases, it is imperative that the replacement work is carried out by an appropriately trained and recognised fire door maintenance expert. In the event of a fire door being beyond repair – or lacking the full, legal documentation to prove certification for any reason – then employing an official fire door manufacturer or supplier who can provide a replacement fire door with all the relevant accreditations for manufacture and testing, must be sought. A skilled fire door professional can ensure all necessary repair work or replacement is completed promptly and accurately whilst helping to minimise your costs and disruption.
Enfield Doors – for bespoke and commercial fire doors
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 soundproof doors including manufacture, installation, maintenance and security. 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.
