Fire Door Myths
We’re living in a world of ignorance and misinformation. In the case of Fire Doors and Fire Safety, myth and misinformation can lead to legal repercussions or even death. The problem is, there are so many regulations and standards it isn’t easy for non-fire safety professionals to keep abreast of them. Here, we try to dispel some of the most common fire door myths and help you avoid the pitfalls of faulty or non-compliant Fire Doors.
Fire Door Myth 1: Fire Proof Paint Makes a Door a Fire Door
This is a classic and unfortunately one that is still widely believed. No, paint alone will never be able to make a door fire proof. Simply painting a door does not comply with the necessary laws and regulations surrounding Fire Doors. For example, paint will not close gaps around the door or prevent non-compliant hinges from failing.
Fire Door Myth 2: I Can Fit a Fire Door Myself
Fire Doors should be fitted by an experienced and certified Fire Door technician. This is to ensure not only that the job is done correctly, but that the Fire Door is fully compliant and up to current standards. Only when you have employed the services of a qualified technician can you be truly secure in the knowledge that you won’t face any legal consequences and that you are compliant with the law.
Fire Door Myth 3: As a landlord, Fire Doors are my tenants’ responsibility
As the landlord, you are considered to be the ‘responsible person’. This means it is you who is responsible for taking reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and making sure people can safely escape if there is a fire under the fire safety legislation of 2005.
Fire Door Myth 4: By fitting larger doorstops, standard doors will become Fire Doors
Another of the great fire door myths: No matter how many doorstops you employ for this plan, your standard door will not become a Fire Door! If the door does not have a test certificate and has not been fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions (which are designed to replicate the fire test), then it is not a fire door. There is no compromise on this standard.
Fire Door Myth 5: None of this has anything to do with me – I am not responsible for any Fire Doors
All non-domestic premises are required to adhere to the Fire (Scotland) Act or Regulatory Reform Order of 2005. If you don’t adhere to this, you risk prosecution and in the worst-case scenario, your negligence is putting people’s lives at risk.
Can you honestly say you didn’t previously believe any of these fire door myths? If you’d like to learn more about Fire Doors and what your responsibilities may be, get in touch and we can discuss your circumstances and advise you.