Ensuring that fire doors are checked regularly and verifying that they are still in good working order is really important for businesses.
We have put together a checklist to help you and outlined things to look out for. We would be more than happy to discuss this in person or over the phone. Veteran Fire Safety is here to support you and your business with all your fire safety needs, please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Check for certification
Is there a label or plug on top (or occasionally on the side) of the door to show it is a certificated fire door? If there is, that’s good news, otherwise report it to whoever is in charge of your building.
Check the gaps
Make sure you check the gaps around the top and sides of the fire door, making sure that they are consistently less than 4mm when closed. The gap under the door can be slightly larger (up to 8mm is not uncommon), but it does depend on the door. As a rule of thumb, if you can see light under the door, the gap is likely to be too big. It is good news if the door fits the frame and it’s not damaged. If not, make sure you report it. If the gaps are too big, smoke and fire will travel through the cracks.
Check the seals
Are there any intumescent seals around the door or frame, and are they intact with no sign of damage? These seals are usually vital to the fire door's performance, expanding if in contact with heat to ensure fire (and in some cases smoke) can’t move through the cracks. If not, report it. The door may not be properly maintained and in the intensity of a fire, may not protect you long enough.
Check the hinges
Are the hinges firmly fixed (make sure that there are three or more of them) and with no missing or broken screws. If you see problems, make sure you report it. The door is obviously not properly maintained and in the intensity of a fire, the door will not perform and hold back the fire for long enough.
Check the door closes properly
Does the door close firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame? If not, make sure you report it. A fire door will only work when it’s closed. A fire door is completely useless if it’s wedged open or can’t close fully.
We hope that these tips have given you a good starting point and armed you with some tools so you know what to look out for.
Fire is very serious and if your workspace is not properly assessed and maintained, you could put everyone at risk.
We are always on hand to help and advise with any fire related matters, it’s what we do and what we enjoy - keeping everyone safe is our number one priority.