What are Intumescent Seals on Fire Doors?

If you’ve been following us on social media and keeping up with our blog, you’ll notice we speak about intumescent seals quite a lot. But what exactly are they and why are they so vital to your fire doors and passive fire protection strategy?

Intumescent seals – also known as fire door seals – are fitted to the door or frame and will expand with heat. This means that in the unfortunate event of a fire, the seals will react by expanding and filling the gaps in the door frame. By doing this, they prolong the time it takes for flame and smoke to spread from room to room.

Intumescent Seals are a vital fire door component

It’s pretty safe to say that the fire door seals are a very important aspect of a fire door. Without them, the fire door would fail very quickly. Flames would be able to easily spread to the next room and the building would be compromised before long.

Inhabitants of the building would also be given less time to make their escape, as smoke and fire would be left unchecked. According to research carried out by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), the most common way fire doors were found to be failing was due to faulty intumescent/smoke seals.

During this research by the FDIS, more than 60% of the doors inspected failed on this point alone!

Make sure your fire door seals are up to scratch

Without smoke seals that have been correctly installed by a certified fire door specialist, fire doors have no chance of holding back fire and smoke. Compromised fire door seals leave the occupants of the building at risk and those responsible open to prosecution.

We strongly recommend getting a certified fire door specialist to check the intumescent and smoke seals around your fire doors. The intumescent seals around the door or frame must be intact with no sign of damage.

Without functioning fire door seals, your fire door’s performance will be compromised. With no intumescent strips to expand during a fire, smoke and fire will be able to move through the cracks.

 

If you want to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

Member of Scottish Parliament Response to Worksmart Fire Door Inspection

Holyrood

You may have read our recently published whitepaper, entitled Fire Doors: Law vs Reality. If you haven’t read it, we think it’s well worth while. In the paper, our certified fire door inspector Mark McQuade has expertly laid out the reality of the situation, in comparison to the standards set by the law.

We were delighted to receive a response from Ash Denham MSP, Minister for Community Safety. Ash read our paper and thanked us for bringing some of these issues to her attention.

After discussions with our local MSP Willie Coffey and his team in Kilmarnock, we all agreed that more needs to be done to ensure fire door compliance standards are maintained.

It’s thanks to the excellent work of Willie Coffey MSP and his team that we were able to reach out to Ash Denham MSP and bring these issues to her attention.

It’s very encouraging to receive this response from the Minister. It shows that people in positions of authority are beginning to take note of the work we do. It also shows a growing awareness of the problems we face in our day-to-day work, and an appetite to improve fire safety in Scotland.

In her response to Worksmart Fire Door Inspection, she stated: “Thank you for your email highlighting fire safety concerns. As Minister for Community Safety, the responsibility for fire safety in existing buildings is part of my policy portfolio”.

Role of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

She continued by discussing the role the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service play and their responsibilities.

She also spoke of the recent approach to fire safety in Scotland: “Fire prevention and protection activity over recent years has been key to reducing the number of fires, casualties and losses in Scotland, thus minimising loss of life and the economic and social impact of fire on communities. This focus on prevention, working collaboratively with other partners, must continue in order to deliver improved local and national outcomes for the communities of Scotland.”

She finished by saying that she and her officials continue to work with the SFRS on these matters.

“While operational issues are a matter for the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Board and Chief Officer, I and my officials continue to meet regularly and work closely with SFRS on fire safety and other emerging matters.”

We will continue to work hard and bring attention to the importance of fire doors, passive fire protection and everything relating to fire safety.

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

Passive Fire Protection Project at Luxury Castle Hotel

Approaching refurbishment work in a historic building is fraught with challenges. Architecture is part of our cultural story. We must do all we can to preserve and protect it. When it comes to fire doors, this can be a problem though. So how do we approach the problem of fire doors in historic and listed buildings?

Old Meets New

In recent decades, the codes and standards surrounding fire safety have evolved hugely. These changes are easy to implement in new buildings as they are being constructed. What happens when centuries old castles have to be brought up to standard though?

Some of Scotland’s most beautiful buildings are rich with history. People in the 17th century didn’t care much for fire doors though. So now, when historic buildings are turned into hotels, tourist attractions or even homes, they trail far behind our 21st century standards of fire safety.

Upgrading Fire Doors in Heritage Buildings

Even though a building is defined as listed, protected or given any kind of historical status, it still has to comply with current fire safety regulations. This is for the protection of people dwelling within the building – be they hotel guests, staff, visitors or other.

In the event of a fire, the passive fire protection plan for your heritage building must work in the same way as it does for any other building. This means it must contain a fire sufficiently in one place for long enough to give occupants time to escape.

 

Who Can Upgrade Fire Doors in Historic Buildings?

To carry out any type of work on fire doors, you need a certified fire door inspector. A certified fire door inspector has the necessary knowledge, expertise and access to resources in order to do the job correctly.

Only when a fire door has been inspected, repaired or maintained by a certified professional can you be certain it is in line with current regulations.

Examples of Fire Doors and Passive Fire Protection in Heritage Buildings

Worksmart Fire Door Inspection has recently signed off a large-scale project at Glenapp Castle. Having begun the initial enabling works in December 2019, the project spanned the entirety of 2020, including the difficult early stages of the pandemic.

The passive fire works at the site was the greatest challenge on the job. After an initial three-week timescale, the passive fire protection aspect of the works continued to grow.

This is due to the historic construction of the building. As the job progressed, our passive fire experts were met by more and more challenges.

Passive Fire Protection in Historic Buildings

Attempting to use modern fire safety techniques on such an old building is understandably problematic.

In order to retain the original charm, we were keen to preserve all the original timber and covings throughout. However, when that wasn’t possible, the had to replicate and replace them to meet the required standards for fire safety.

During the works, Worksmart FDI has installed new fire doors, timber floors and structural timbers as part of the passive fire works. Ornate timber facings, skirtings, dado, and picture rails have also been installed alongside passive fire partitions which use Superlux boards.

For the safety of the users within the new luxury suite, we installed a fully passive fire floor with walls which helped to form a fire strategy.

Along with this, we have installed a stair pressurisation system. In the event of a fire, this is activated within the suite, increasing the air pressure up to 9m 3 per second.

This system allows the occupants to escape by holding back the fire.

Upon the arrival of the SFRS (Scottish Fire Rescue Service), they will be able to activate an emergency button to release the doors and allow the smoke to escape.

Fire Door Responsibilities

Worksmart FDI are delighted to have been involved in the installation of the new fire doors and implementation of passive fire protection in what is now a luxury hotel.

The owners of Glenapp Castle were aware of their responsibilities and took action to ensure their fire doors were up to scratch. Their vision for a luxury accommodation was inspiring. It was a true pleasure to work with them on this project.

We urge anyone with responsibilities to fire safety to take the same steps and contact a certified fire door specialist.

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

Fire Door Compliance – The Basics

Sometimes it’s important to go back to basics and re-address what we know about fire door compliance. Everyone needs a reset from time to time. Some introspection helps you to see where you’ve come from and where you’re going. We believe this is true of knowledge too. It’s important to remind yourself of the basics every once in a while. Fire Doors are no different.

Knowledge about fire doors is essential for many people. Armed with the right information, you’ll never be on the wrong side of a fine or a conviction.

Do I have to inspect my fire doors?

Yes, you do.

As a ‘responsible person’ or ‘duty holder’ YOU are responsible for making sure your fire doors are fully functional and compliant with current regulations.

Failure to comply can lead to prosecution at both a personal and corporate level.

How often do they need to be inspected?

The current regulations recommend that your fire doors should be inspected every six months. Fire doors are complex, engineered products and, like any engineered product, need regular maintenance.

Who should inspect a fire door?

The regulations state that fire doors should be inspected by a competent person.  They define this as someone with ‘sufficient training and experience, qualifications and knowledge’ to do the work. The best way to ensure someone is ‘competent’ is to check that they are accredited by a recognised third-party organisation such as the FDIS.

You should always have them inspected by a certified inspector. A certified inspector will be able to demonstrate expert knowledge and official certifications.

Having your fire doors inspected by someone with third-party accreditation means you’ll have the peace of mind that the job has been done correctly.

What punishments are there for non-compliance?

The latest statistics indicate that there are around 45 convictions per year for non-compliant fire doors.

Not to mention that fire doors are an essential barrier between life and death. If the worst case scenario happens and you suffer a fire, prosecution will be the least of your worries.

What happens during a fire door inspection?

The inspector will check over all the components of the fire door to ensure it is fully compliant with industry regulations.

If the door is deemed not-fit-for-purpose, the inspector will inform you and suggest an appropriate course of action to bring the door up to standard.

Can I book a fire door inspection?

Worksmart Fire Door Inspection is the first company in Scotland to possess accreditations from both BM Trada and the FDIS.

Our expert inspectors will ensure your fire doors are compliant and help you avoid any fines or prosecution.

Contact us today to book a fire door inspection.

Interested in a free CPD? Click here to learn more about our approved seminar.

free cpd fire doors surveyors

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

FIRE DOORS – LAW vs REALITY

Fire Door Inspection Services

THE LAW

The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 seeks to ensure the safety of people in premises in the event of a fire.

The provisions of the act are very simple – the ‘duty holder’ is responsible for ensuring that the fire safety measures in their building are functional and meet the standards set out by the regulations.

The ‘duty holder’ may be an employer, but could also be a building owner or ‘any person that has control to any extent over a relevant building’. To that extent, this definition could include employees with specific duties or external agents such as facilities managers.

The Act seeks to ensure safety in the event of a fire by setting out fire safety responsibilities, which can be summarised as follows:

  • Conducting a fire safety risk assessment of the premises & implementing any resulting recommendations
  • To plan, organise, monitor, control and review fire safety measures and to record the arrangements in writing
  • To provide appropriate means of fighting fire
  • To provide adequate means of escape and to hold drills
  • To maintain facilities and equipment in good repair
  • To provide employees with relevant information and training
  • Maintaining records

Failure to carry out these duties is an offence and, in cases where people may be put at risk of death or serious injury, penalties can include fines of up to £20,000 and/or up to 2 years imprisonment.

THE REALITY

Given that this Act, and the regulations it pertains to, have been in force for 15 years – and that the HSE and local authorities are both empowered to enforce them – the reality of fire safety in our built environment in Scotland is alarmingly inadequate.

Being fire door specialists, our analysis focuses on fire resistant doors and, in relation to the 7 points above, our experience is that the obligations defined in items 1, 2, 5 & 7 are rarely fulfilled.

Item 1 – many of the premises we visit do conduct fire risk assessments regularly, but the recommendations are not always implemented and, moreover, many fire risk assessments are very generic and superficial and do not examine in detail the individual elements of fire safety equipment, such as fire-resistant doors. The standards and regulations for each fire safety system or component are complex, be it a sprinkler or alarm system, fire stopping around service penetrations or, indeed, fire resistant doors. Schemes such as the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) utilise checklists for inspecting fire doors that have up to 90 items on them for each door, underlining the level of detail required to undertake a meaningful inspection.

Item 2 & 7 – our experience is that this is sporadic at best. Indeed, in the last 2 years we have only come across 1 premises where the duty holder had maintained a comprehensive fire safety manual with all the relevant documents and records of activity. Only 1.

Item 5 – fire resistant doors are not simply ‘a door’ – they are complex life safety systems comprised of numerous components that must all be compatible and functional. Each fire door must be able to hold back a fire for the same duration as the wall in which it is situated, usually 30 or 60 minutes, in order to maintain the compartmentation required to prevent the spread of fire. If they fail to do this then the entire fire safety strategy for the building will be compromised. That is why correct installation and regular inspection and maintenance are absolutely essential. The tolerances involved are absolutely minimal, for example the gaps between the door and its frame should be 3mm, with a tolerance of +/- only 1mm, and because they are often in constant use, many door components will deteriorate and move, resulting in reduced fire resistance.

Unfortunately, it is clear that these standards are simply not being maintained in the vast majority of instances, as the statistics below make clear.

Analysis of data held by the FDIS in 2019 revealed that, of 100,000 doors inspected in 2700 buildings, a huge 76% were condemned as being unfit for purpose. Further analysis identified the following –

  • ALL of these doors had been poorly maintained
  • 30% of them had been incorrectly installed
  • 16% of them were not even fire-resistant doors!

This data is from a UK wide sample, but our own experience, gained entirely within Scotland, is actually even worse than these statistics.

 

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Based on our interactions with hundreds of relevant individuals and corporations we believe the following to be the most significant factors in the alarming level of neglect we have found:

  • Lack of understanding of the exact role and function of a fire-resistant door
  • Ignorance of the detailed standards and regulations involved
  • A widely held misconception that a regular, generic fire risk assessment is all that is required to satisfy the law and fulfil obligations
  • Reluctance to delve too deeply in order to avoid being faced with remedial costs

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

We feel the solutions to the alarming legacy of neglect of fire-resistant doors, which are absolutely critical to the safety of the millions of people that occupy or visit relevant buildings everyday in Scotland, lie primarily in education and enforcement.

Education – a government driven, national educational initiative aimed at every business in Scotland that clarifies legal obligations and explains the importance of fire-resistant doors would help address the lack of understanding and dispel misconceptions.

Enforcement – any educational initiative should be followed up with appropriate enforcement action. There is ample provision within the law to encourage, persuade or demand that remedial actions be taken where required, but the current state of affairs would suggest that these are not being used often enough.

New legislation – there are many examples of prescriptive legislation aimed at improving or enhancing our safety and that of others. MOT’s for our cars and for commercial vehicles are a perfect example. They MUST be conducted annually by properly qualified specialists who record their findings. If the required remedial actions are not completed then the vehicle doesn’t get a certificate.

In the same way, every fire-resistant door starts its life with a certificate of compliance. They are critical to our safety in the same way as the safety features on a lorry, so why shouldn’t we treat their upkeep the same way? In the same way that cars have service records, every fire-resistant door could have a lifetime service record that contains all relevant information and is kept in the fire safety manual for the building.

 

SUMMARY

Although our fire safety legislation has been in force for 15 years there is widespread non-compliance with the regulations and standards in relation to fire-resistant doors at least. The causes of this can be categorised as lack of understanding of the role and function of fire doors, ignorance of the standards and regulations, misconceptions surrounding legal obligations and financial reasons.

We believe the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 is adequate. However, like any legislation, it needs to be properly communicated and enforced in order to be effective. Our experience, reinforced by the available statistics, suggests that this has not happened. Perhaps the time has come for government to look at why our existing legislation is not understood or enforced?

We would willingly support any initiative or consultation process to improve the situation and know that many fire door specialists around the country, who have the same experiences as us, feel the same.

Are Fire Doors at Student Accommodation Fit for Purpose?

How safe are the fire doors at your student accommodation?

There’s been a lot about the safety of students in the news lately. Fresh faces are arriving at their new student accommodation for the new term. One thing people don’t ever seem to mention though, is whether fire doors in student accommodation are fit for purpose?

Much of the news coverage has focussed on Covid-19 and the effects of being locked down. However, we would like to open a discussion about the safety of the buildings they are living in.

Do student accommodation providers take fire safety seriously enough?

According to a recent study by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), there are some 660,000 students living in PBSA during term time. These are split almost evenly between university residences and private sector purpose built student accommodation (PBSA).

These are great places for students to live, especially in their first year. It’s easy to meet people. They have all the necessary facilities to hand. And most importantly, accommodation managers are visible and easy to contact.

There is always a great deal of responsibility in providing living accommodation to people, no matter who they are or the type of accommodation.

However, in this situation, where there may be hundreds of students living in one building, with dozens of kitchens, hundreds of appliances and people who may not be fire risk aware, fulfilling that responsibility is very complex.

student accommodation

Fire Door Inspections in Student Accommodation

We have inspected fire resistant doors in 3 PBSAs in Scotland over the last couple of months. Thankfully, we have found it really encouraging to be liaising with several of these PBSAs.

However, what we have discovered has been mixed. Most fire doors at student accommodations we have inspected have needed attention of some sort. There have even been one or two that would be described as critically flawed.

The most alarming (but not surprising) thing we found are doors that have been incorrectly installed or modified. This includes FD30 fire doors fitted where an FD60 fire door had been specified.

This means someone has fitted a fire door that can only last for 30 minutes in place of one that can last for 60 minutes.

Misinformation and confusion could cost the lives of students or fire fighters if there was to be a blaze.

student accommodation

Book a Fire Door Inspection at your Student Accommodation

We need to take Fire doors seriously. This is especially true in the world of student accommodation. Students have a right to live in a safe environment. Landlords and accommodation providers have a duty of care to ensure fire doors are up to standard.

We hope others can now start to follow the example of the providers we have been in contact with recently.

These doors are safety critical, life saving devices – essential components of your fire safety strategy. If they fail, then so does the strategy.

Here’s a few basic things you can do to help you decide if your fire doors need attention –

  • NEVER wedge or block a fire door open.
  • Does your door close completely, unaided, even when only opened slightly.
  • Are the gaps around the door the right size? Use a £1 coin – it’s about 3mm thick, the perfect size for the gap.
  • Are the fire & smoke seals (strips around the door or frame) in good condition?

If the answer to any of these questions is NO, you should be contacting a fire door specialist to check them out. Likewise if you are a student/resident, you should inform your building manager.

Accredited Fire Door Inspection Specialists

We are the only company in Scotland to hold accreditations from both the FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme) and BM Trada Q Mark for these activities and we have an extensive reach throughout Scotland and beyond.

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Long Should a Fire Door Last in a Fire?

Fire Door

If you’ve been keeping up with our past blogs, you’ll hopefully know what a fire door is. In our previous articles we’ve gone in to depth about many topics relating to fire doors. One thing we haven’t touched on though, is how long should a fire door last during a fire?

This is obviously a very important question. You need to know how long a door will contain a fire and how long will a fire door last. This is all part of a building’s fire compartmentation strategy. Fire doors prevent fires from easily spreading room-to-room.

By slowing down a fire, fire doors save lives. They also buy valuable time for firefighters and building inhabitants.

Fire Door Inspection Services

But just how much time, exactly?

Well, that depends on the type of fire door and its certification. Most fire doors are marked as FD30, FD60, FD90 or FD120.

These codes indicate the length of time a fire door is able to provide resistance to smoke and fire: 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes or 120 minutes.

The type of fire doors fitted in your building must meet the requirements of the compartmentation and evacuation plans for the building, which are drawn up when the building is first designed (or altered).

You will be able to learn which level of fire door resistance you require from your FIRE SAFETY MANUAL, which should contain compartmentation and evacuation plans.

You must ensure your fire doors are fully compliant at all times, otherwise they may fail after 5 minutes, never mind 30!

ANY failing, no matter how small, could mean that your fire doors will not perform to the required standard in the one and only case that they may be called upon to do so. Failure to maintain them attracts the same penalties as any other fire safety equipment, such as alarms or sprinklers.

fire compartmentation fail

Looking for a fire door inspection?

We are certified by TWO third party, independent, UKAS accredited agencies for:

  • Fire Door Inspections
  • Fire Door Maintenance
  • Fire Door Installation
  • Fire Stopping

We are the only company in Scotland to hold accreditations from both the FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme) and BM Trada Q Mark for these activities and we have an extensive reach throughout Scotland and beyond.

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

 

Fire Door Inspection Myths – Part II

Fire Door

Fire Door Inspection Myths

In late 2019, we busted some of the biggest FIRE DOOR MYTHS we see during our day-to-day work. And while we debunked a few fire door inspection myths, there are STILL many more out there.

In addition, the general public widely believe these fire door inspection myths. This can have dire consequences for people and businesses. So here we are, once again, to set the record straight on some of the biggest fire door inspection myths in our industry!

Fire Door Inspection Myth – ANYONE can inspect a fire door.

WRONG

Fire doors are complex component systems subject to numerous British and European standards in relation to manufacture, certification AND installation. Unless you are familiar with all these standards and criteria and understand how the components should perform you may easily miss crucial defects.

The RESPONSIBLE PERSON or DUTY HOLDER has a legal duty to ensure that only competent people are used to maintain their fire doors.

Our governments and fire services state that the best way to ensure that someone is competent is by third party, independent certification.

Fire Door Inspection Myth – A certificated fire door doesn’t need inspected.

WRONG

Fire doors come in for some pretty heavy bashing during their lives, especially in places like schools or hospitals. Like any other moving, mechanical component system – no matter how well made or assembled/installed –  they need regular maintenance to ensure all the components are working correctly and tolerances remain within limits.

The law states that you have to maintain fire doors to ensure they remain compliant and functional. If yours haven’t been maintained by a competent person you should have them inspected by a certified inspector immediately.

We don’t think twice about having our cars MOT tested to ensure they are safe, so why not our fire doors?

Fire Door Inspection Myth – A door isn’t really going to stop a fire anyway, is it?

WRONG

Fire doors are an essential barrier between rooms that prevent fires from spreading. By slowing a fire down, it gives people within the building the valuable time they need to escape.

Inspectors test fire doors in rigorous, live fire testing before giving them a certificate. This proves that they DO resist fire. Therefore, as long as they are installed correctly and regularly inspected & maintained they WILL stop a fire from spreading.

Fire doors are a hugely important part of a building’s fire strategy and you should never overlook them.

Did any of these Fire Door Myths fool you?

If so, you should get in touch and we can discuss your circumstances and advise you. 

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Fire Stopping and Passive Fire Protection

fire door inspection services

How Does Passive Fire Protection Work?

We have found there is a troubling lack of knowledge about Fire Stopping and Passive Fire Protection. So what actually is fire stopping and how does passive fire protection actually work?

It’s important to understand just how crucial your passive fire protection strategy is. It can mean the difference between life and death. You need to ensure your building has adequate and compliant passive fire protection.

Passive Fire Protection works by creating something called fire compartmentation within a building.

Fire compartmentation is a clever way to restrict the spread of smoke and fire. By doing this, building occupants will have more time to escape a burning building, as the fire won’t spread as quickly.

What is Fire Compartmentation?

fire compartmentation fail

Fire compartmentation is incorporated into a building by using appropriate materials and methods during the construction of walls, floors and ceilings. The structures are able to contain fire within each individual ‘compartment’ for longer than a regular room would be able to.

By slowing the fire down, it gives you – or any other people unfortunate enough to be inside a burning building – extra time to escape.

If any element of the passive fire protection strategy fails, then the entire fire safety strategy will be compromised.

As well as giving occupants time to flee, fire fighters will also have more time to tackle the blaze.

Fire compartmentation saves many buildings from total destruction.

What is Fire Stopping?

Fire stopping is another important aspect of a buildings passive fire protection strategy.

Fire stopping is the process of sealing any weak points in a walls or doors.

Points can be weaker than other just due to the way the structure is built or due to things like pipes or cables.

Occasionally when a building undergoes maintenance, these seals can be compromised. In this instance, it’s very important to correct these faults. If you don’t, your entire fire stopping strategy could fail.

Worksmart Fire Door Inspection’s certified fire door specialists provide essential fire stopping inspection and installation services for EVERY building.

Call us for a Fire Door Inspection

Worksmart Fire Door Inspection van

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart

 

What is a Fire Door?

fire door inspection services

Fire Doors – What is a Fire Door?

The most basic question we’ve been asked is simply – ‘what is a fire door?’. To some people, this may seem like an easy question. However, fire doors are complex product systems, made up of many different parts. Everyone encounters fire doors almost everyday, but seeing isn’t knowing. That’s why, even though it may seem simplistic, we want to answer the question of ‘what is a fire door’?

Fire doors are an essential line of defence in the event of a fire. A fire door can prove the difference between life and death for anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in that situation. Fire doors are specially constructed so that they are especially resistant to flames and heat and the gaps are sealed in such a way as to prevent flames – and often smoke – from penetrating for a prescribed period of time.

Fire Doors – Passive Fire Protection

As passive fire safety elements, fire doors defend against fire passively, unlike a sprinkler system. Passive Fire Protection makes use of something called compartmentation within a building. This compartmentation slows and restricts the spread of smoke and fire. By slowing the spread from room to room, it gives the people inside the building time to escape, and gives the firefighters time to bring the fire under control.

Passive Fire Protection saves lives and saves buildings from greater destruction than is necessary. Fire Doors are a crucial part of this fire safety strategy. If any single part of your passive fire protection fails then the whole strategy could follow suit. This could potentially result in loss of life and irreparable property damage.

what is a fire door

Who uses fire doors?

By law, all non-domestic premises are required to have a responsible person. The ‘responsible person’ could be the landlord, leaseholder, employer, building owner or facilities manager – anyone with an element of control over a premises. These people are not required to be experts in fire safety, but it does expect them to use competent professionals to ensure fire safety equipment is maintained and fit for purpose.

Do I need to get my fire doors checked?

Yes, absolutely!

Fire doors are engineered products and need correct installation and regular maintenance. Any failing, no matter how small, could mean that your fire doors will not perform to the required standard, should they ever need to in the event of a fire. Failure to maintain them attracts the same penalties as any other fire safety equipment, such as alarms or sprinklers. These penalties can be hefty, with a school recently being fined over £200,000.

Hopefully we’ve managed to answer the question of ‘what is a fire door’ in this blog. 

If you would to get in touch about a Fire Door Inspection or to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart