Are you confident you’re completely compliant?

Just like a half open door, there are no half measures when it comes to fire door safety. Since the introduction of the Building Safety Act in 2021, worryingly many of those accountable for fire door safety still don’t fully understand their responsibilities under the Act.

At RW Maintain, we don’t want you to be one of those people.

Regular, routine checks of fire doors ensure their correct upkeep and keeps you the right side of the law. Of all the passive fire protection measures in a building, fire doors receive the most use on a day-to-day basis making regular checks a must. To help, we’ve pulled together a simple list of six checks to aid you in this. However, do remember that full inspections and maintenance should be carried out by trained individuals to ensure your doors remain fully compliant and safe.

#check one: Frame, seal, clearance and gaps

Focus on the frame and seals of the doors. Check for any damage or signs of wear with the door sitting in the frame. It is vital the intumescent seals are securely attached to the groove that runs along the door frame and continuously around the entire door set as these play an integral part to the effectiveness of the door. These seals expand when subjected to heat so clearance needs to be consistent around the door leaf and frame to ensure a tight seal in the event of a fire.

#check two: Latches and locks

Check all the latches, locks and hinges are fully working and show no obvious signs of wear or anything which may hinder their working in the event of a fire.

#check three: Hold open devices

Confirm that any hold open devices, typically in a healthcare environment, function as intended. Check they release and close the door in response to the alarm or any power loss.

#check four: Glazing

Ensure any glazing and vision panels are fully intact and show no signs of any defects. The integrity of glazing is hugely important in containing smoke and fire effectively.

#check five: Smooth operation

Check that the door swings in the proper direction and is not hindered by any obstruction which would stop them from closing properly. Doors should operate smoothly without catching or binding to maintain compliance.

#check six – Clear and present signage

Signage is essential in guiding staff, visitors and residents during emergencies – can it be seen and read easily? Check it’s in good condition and is prominently displayed and not covered by anything.

This simple, six-point checklist should aid you to monitor your fire doors between regular maintenance inspections by certified experts such as RW Maintain. Remain safe with a dedicated maintenance programme which can expertly repair when required and only replace when absolutely necessary to keep your doors certified compliant in accordance with British standards.

Contact an expert at RW Maintain today to discuss a bespoke package that Really Works for you from a company you can trust.