Fire Door Surveys
The role of fire doors
Fire doors are critical safety features in buildings, especially in commercial, public, and multi-residential structures. Their primary purpose is to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases, thereby protecting lives and property.
They Fire doors limit the spread of fire and smoke, allowing people more time to evacuate safely and by compartmentalizing the fire, they help contain it to the area of origin, reducing overall damage.
Properly functioning fire doors save lives by delaying the spread of fire and allowing people enough time to exit the building safely.
What is a fire door survey?
A fire door inspection survey is a comprehensive assessment conducted to evaluate the condition, compliance, and functionality of fire doors in a building. Fire doors are crucial for preventing the spread of fire and smoke, and ensuring safe evacuation routes, so regular inspections are essential for safety and legal compliance.
To ensure that fire doors meet legal and safety standards (such as Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, BS 9999, and BS 8214).
To identify defects or non-compliance in fire doors, frames, hardware, and seals.
To recommend remedial actions or replacement if the door fails to meet standards.
The Law
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 made it a legal requirement from 23 January 2023 for responsible persons for all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to:
- undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts
- undertake – on a best endeavour basis – annual checks of all flat entrance doors (including self-closing devices) that lead onto a building’s common parts
The regulations do not replace the existing duty for a responsible person to put in place general fire precautions in any premises covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the building’s height.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 has clarified that in any residential building which contains two or more sets of domestic premises are within the scope of the Fire Safety Order.
Responsible persons for residential buildings below 11 metres in height have a duty to put in place general fire precautions in these buildings, this duty includes making sure that all fire doors – including flat entrance doors – are capable of providing adequate protection.
CWB Fire Safety can assist in providing expert fire door surveys for domestic and commercial premises to give you confidence in your workplace safety. Please get in touch to find out how CWB Fire Safety can assist you and your requirements.