Chris Robinson , Mar 28, 2023 3:16:42 PM
When it comes to fire safety in buildings, conducting regular inspections is essential. As a landlord, property manager or building owner, it's your responsibility to ensure the property meets fire regulations and that all components of the system are working as they should be.
Making sure each door is regularly checked and documented properly can help you comply with UK legislation whilst reducing liability risks from potential fires.
A thorough checklist to guide you through an inspection will not only ensure all necessary steps are followed but also provide evidence that due diligence has been done when needed.
Fire door inspection and maintenance should always be carried out by competent individuals. By partnering with experts with third party accreditation, any and all maintenance work carried out is done to the correct standards.
What Is A Fire Door Inspection And How Often Should They Be Carried Out Under New UK Regulations
Fire door inspection is a part of Fire Risk Assessments and is used to ensure the safety of buildings and those residing in them.
Fire door inspections are carried out by experts and includes thorough of all doorset elements, identifying where repairs may be needed.
In the UK fire doors should be routinely inspected, the frequency of which will be dependent on the type of building in question and the location of the doorset.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into effect in January 2023, making it a legal requirement for multi-occupied, residential buildings in England over 11m in height, to undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors.
Checklist Of What Door Elements To Check During A Fire Door Inspection
To perform an effective fire door inspection, the below elements should always be visually checked. Whilst a professional expert should carry out all fire inspections, as a responsible person for your building, you can carry out preliminary visual checks to ensure continued compliance.
Here are some of the main fire door elements to assess during a fire door inspection.
Inspecting the Frame and Seals
When completing a Fire Door Inspection, the inspector should inspect the frame of the fire door making sure that it is not damaged, warped or swollen in any way. Frame damage or warping can occur over prolonged periods of time and therefore must be regularly checked.
In addition, you should also check that all seals are properly fitted and intact according to the manufacturer’s instructions. These intumescent seals should show no signs of wear and tear, should be securely attached to the groove that runs along the door frame and must run continuously around the whole doorset.
Testing the Locks, Latches & Hinges
During inspection careful consideration must be paid to all locks, latches and hinges. This hardware ensures the correct functionality and operation of the fire door.
During this stage it is imperative to ensure that any latches engage fully, as well as confirm that all hinges are operating entirely as intended. Pay careful attention to any wear and tear, looking for any metal fragments, dust or worn hardware as this must be replaced immediately.
Examining Glazing
During inspection, all glazing should be carefully inspected for signs of damage.
The glass must not show signs of any damage including chipping or cracking. Both kinds of damage will affect the glass's fire performance. As well as this, the glazing’s seal must be continuous around the perimeter of the glass and to both sides of the glass, whilst glazing beads must be securely fixed and not damaged.
Any broken or cracked glazing must be replaced immediately to prevent structural instability or leaking of smoke which could cause danger to occupants inside the building. Fire-rated glazing also helps prevent heat transfer, compartmentalising fires, therefore it’s imperative they are in sound condition.
Assessing Hold Open Devices & Fire Safety Signage
Hold open door devices are designed to hold the door open in normal conditions and close in the event of a fire or fire risk. Ensure that the door leaf is released when activated and the door closes properly into the frame. You should also look out for wear and tear and ensure it is securely attached to the door and frame.
Finally, correct fire safety signage is not only great for teaching responsible fire safety actions, but is instrumental in guiding inhabitants in the event of a fire.
The presence of fire signage cannot be understated and is also a legal obligation, so ensuring they haven’t been tampered with and are placed in the appropriate locations throughout your building is essential.
Benefits Of Regular Fire Door Inspection
Fire door inspections help identify the need for repairs or replacements, critical to mitigate threats to occupants and the building.
Safeguarding the wellbeing of those within your building is always paramount. As is protecting the wider building and its assets helping protect your business or organisation and securing your reputation as a proactive leader in safety.
Knowing when Fire Doors have been maintained and documenting all repair work also helps demonstrate a company’s commitment to safety and could ultimately save lives in the event of an emergency.
Choosing An Expert Team To Carry Out Fire Inspections In Buildings And Businesses
Fire door inspections, maintenance and replacements should always be carried out by certified experts.
Partnering with a fire door maintenance team that provides full repair and replacement services alongside inspection ensures all work is carried out to UK standards. Certified experts often can help save you and your business money, by providing repair schemes that allow existing doors to once again become fully compliant.
Focusing on repairs, when possible, not only saves your business time but also helps with the bottom line as repair work can be as little as a third of the price of a brand new doorset.
When it comes to fire safety and fire door inspection, the proactive approach is always recommended. Arrange pre-planned maintenance with companies like RW Maintain, to ensure your building is always compliant with a dedicated plan to carry out any necessary repairs.
RW Maintain provide bespoke service packages for your business or buildings, including the inspection, repair and replacement of all fire-rated doorsets. For a fixed-term, you are assured that all fire doors are certified in accordance with British standards, keeping you and your occupants safe.
If you have a building or project that would benefit from a maintenance package for your fire doors, contact an expert at RW Maintain today.
