Regular fire door inspections are a vital part of your fire safety strategy, helping you identify risks, proactively fix issues, and stay compliant with all relevant fire safety regulations.
But what actually happens during a fire door inspection? In this post, we break down some of the most common questions we hear.
What does a fire door inspection cover?
A fire door inspection usually involves an expert taking a close look at the fire doors being used throughout your property. Their aim is to ensure your fire doors and their components are compliant and fit for purpose, and will see them assessing the door’s leaf, frame and fittings to check that nothing is damaged or compromised.
Your fire door inspector will also make sure your door certification is valid and up-to-date, and that each door has been manufactured to the correct standards and installed properly in the first place.
Why do fire door inspections matter?
Fire doors are often the first line of defence against the spread of fire, smoke and hazardous gases, giving emergency teams precious time to respond and save lives.
However, a fire door can only do its job if it’s working properly. The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) recently reported that, of 100,000 inspections carried out, an alarming 75% of fire doors were non-compliant. Common issues included poor manufacturing, incorrect installation, damage, and improper use (e.g., doors left propped open), leading to serious concerns. With regular inspections, however, it’s possible to find and resolve these problems before they become serious hazards.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
In line with the latest fire safety regulations, your building’s fire doors should be inspected at least once every six months. But in a busier property, where a higher level of wear and tear is expected, inspections should be done even more frequently.
What fire door components are inspected?
Your inspector will look carefully at every door’s key components to give you peace of mind that everything meets the required safety standards. Inspections cover:
- Door leaf’s, which are checked for damage, warping or wear
- Door frames, which should be undamaged and correctly fitted
- Intumescent seals, which are checked for cracking
- Hardware, including hinges, handles, and locks
- Glazing, which should be intact and compliant
- Signage, which should be easily visible and compliant
What happens after a fire door inspection?
After an inspection, remedial work or maintenance might be recommended or need to be carried out within an agreed timeframe. This could mean replacing seals, repairing a frame, or putting any installation issues right. As with your inspections, this maintenance is best handled by professional fire safety experts to keep your fire doors safe and compliant.
If you’d like more fire safety advice, or support with your next round of inspections, why not get in touch?
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