The Five-step Check For Fire Doors

By Author: ajmfiresafety uk
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(*The Five-Step Check for Fire Doors Please refer https://ajmfiresafety.com/2020/09/08/five-step-check/*)

Having fire doors installed and properly maintained is compulsory in the UK in many buildings, especially those where people visit, work and live. Fire doors are meant to offer protection to humans and property in the event of fires breaking out. In terms of important legislation owners of buildings, their managers or representatives are required to install (or have installed)and maintain all fire doors to reduce risk and damage in case of a fire.

Owners may also appoint a so-called ‘responsible person’ whose task is to ensure fire doors are installed properly, inspected at certain intervals and maintained and repaired to ensure they serve their purpose. The well-known Fire Safety Order of 2005, and more recently the Fire Safety Act of 2021, are in place to ensure every responsible person complies with the import regulations of these acts, failing which fines and even prison time could be imposed.

Safety is taken seriously and, therefore regular checks have to be carried out to ensure that fire ...
... doors work perfectly. Regular checks by an accredited fire door service that offers FDIS certification, for example, must be carried out at certain intervals, as well as regular checks by management or their ‘responsible person at the building. This person does not replace the accredited inspector; he/she merely carries out regular checks or quick inspections to ensure the doors are in order and offer the required safety. A good way to go about this is to follow a ‘Five-Step Check’ for the fire doors which follows here:

• Look for the Certification Label on the top of the door –a fire door without a certification label may not meet the standards of being a quality, properly installed fire door and may, therefore, not meet requirements. Such labels mean manufacturers can be traced via contact details displayed on these labels, should that become necessary. The label tells a lot about the manufacturer. Using the label’s information, it is easy to find out who manufactured the door, what its possible shortcomings could be, and what its best qualities are.

• Be aware of the gaps on fire doors – if gaps are too big, fires may spread, and smoke, as well as smoke inhalation by those in the building, may lead to great danger. The gap has to be the right size for seals to fulfil their function. Gaps all around from the door leaf to the frame must be between 2 and 4 mm. These requirements must be complied with in terms of what is generally referred to as FD 30, FD 30S or FD60. These refer to how long, for example, doors can resist fire and smoke. FDS, for instance, means the door can resist fire for up to 30 minutes and can stop the spread of cold smoke. An FD30S door, for example, will have a rubber fin on them.


• Make sure the correct seals, that help to stop fires from spreading are on the door, and that they are not damaged -or the gaps (mentioned above) are not too large. If that is the case, the seal is useless. Intumescent seals, for example, expand in heat and help stop fire and smoke from spreading. Make sure the seals are not damaged.

• Make sure every fire door has 3 hinges that are properly fixed with all relevant screws to ensure the door remains in place and offers firm resistance. When affixed properly with hinges in its frame, the door can be a lifesaver in case of fire.



• Make sure the door is fit for its frame and closes properly, with an overhead closer the preferred option. Make sure it closes from all angles and that you do not doubt that it fits snugly and will keep fires out.
The above are a few good tips. This so-called five-step check is essential for the building’s responsible person to be mindful of and to ensure it is adhered to. That way you may help save lives and property.

About Us

At AJM Fire Safety we pride ourselves on the quality of every service we offer the owners of residential, commercial and industrial buildings – in fact in any building - where citizens and the public could be exposed to the dangers of fires breaking out. Our services are offered nationwide and include all aspects related to fire doors: installations, inspections, maintenance and training of those responsible for fire doors and for making sure that the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety Order) of 2005 is in place and its stipulations adhered to. Our experienced FDIS certified inspector aims to ensure that all clients’ fire doors meet all requirements in terms of which minimum safety regulations are always in place. For more about our services please visit https://ajmfiresafety.com/