Fire doors are crucial in many types of buildings as they limit the spread of fire and smoke in an emergency. Simply installing one and forgetting about it is not good fire door safety, though, as routine inspections and maintenance are necessary to meet fire safety regulations and keep everyone in the building that much safer. In this guide, learn why commercial fire doors require regular maintenance and inspection and how often you need to do it.
Why Are Fire Door Inspections Important?
Fire doors help prevent the spread of fire, which can cause significant damage and endanger anyone in the building. If one area experiences a fire, a solid fire door effectively blocks the fire from spreading to the rest of the building, keeping the problem isolated.
Regular fire door checks are essential because damaged or poorly maintained fire doors do not block fire and smoke as well as they should. Plus, keeping on top of inspection and maintenance is essential for fire door compliance in the UK.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?
Generally, routine fire door inspections should take place at least every six months to ensure they comply with fire door regulations in the UK. In some cases, however, more frequent inspections may be necessary, especially in higher-risk buildings, which might mean monthly or even weekly inspections. It is always best to perform more regular checks to identify issues before they become a safety risk.
What Is Checked During a Fire Door Inspection?
Here are the key components of a fire door inspection.
Door leaf and frame condition: Inspectors look for any signs of physical damage, such as holes or warping.
Intumescent seals and smoke seals: Both of these seals are checked to see that they are undamaged and properly fitted.
Hinges, closers, and ironmongery: All of these must be firmly secured and well lubricated.
Gaps, alignment, and overall operation: The fire door must be able to easily open and close from all angles. The door gaps are also checked for consistency and to see that the gap is small enough to prevent smoke and fire from travelling through.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Door Maintenance?
The legal responsibility for fire door maintenance lies with an assigned responsible person within the building, who could be the building owner or landlord. As fire safety is complex, it is normal for building owners to rely on professional inspection and maintenance services, as it provides absolute peace of mind. At Capital Fire Doors, it is our job to go above and beyond with repairs and inspections, ensuring your commercial building’s fire doors always do the job of stopping the spread of a fire should one occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fire door inspections a legal requirement?
Yes. Under UK fire safety laws, a responsible person in a building must ensure that all fire doors are inspected and maintained.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
At least every six months. However, some doors should be checked more regularly, especially if there is heavy traffic through them.
What happens if a fire door fails an inspection?
An inspection report will detail the damage. From there, the responsible person within the building must organise repairs as soon as possible.
Can damaged fire doors be repaired?
Yes. In many cases, minor damage can be repaired with simple fixes, such as replacing a degraded smoke seal or adjusting the door hinges. However, a fire door that has sustained too much damage may need to be replaced altogether.