Every day, we walk past fire doors without giving them much thought. They blend into corridors and offices often unnoticed. But in the event of a fire, these doors become one of the most important safety features in a building. They are designed to hold back flames and smoke, giving people time to escape and emergency services time to respond.
Fire door Safety Week is a chance to stop, look closer, and understand why fire doors matter. It’s about raising awareness, improving safety, and reminding us of all that small actions like closing a fire door can make a lifesaving difference.
Why Fire Doors Matter in Health & Safety
Fire doors are not just a legal requirement they are a vital part of workplace safety. They are designed to:
· Contain fire and smoke for a set period of time.
· Protect escape routes so people can evacuate safely.
· Reduce damage to property and allow emergency services more time to respond.
· Its key feature include a certified fire resistance rating (commonly 30 to 60 minutes) a self-closing mechanism to ensure fire door shuts fully and in intumescent seals around the edges that expand in heat to block smoke and flames.
· Fire doors are fitted with fire-rated hinges and hardware that can withstand high temperature, and they display clear “Fire Door- Keep Shut” signage to prevent misuse.
To work effectively, they must be correctly installed with minimal gaps around the frame, ensuring they act as a reliable barrier in an emergency.
When fire doors are damaged, left open, or incorrectly installed, they cannot do their job. This increases risks not only to lives but also to business continuity and workplace safety.
Legal Duties and Employer Responsibilities
Fire door safety is more than best practice-it is the law.
· Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order 2005, employers and building managers must ensure that fire doors are properly installed, inspected and maintained.
· The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty of care on employers to protect employees and others from harm, which includes fire-related risks.
· Building Regulations (Approved Document B) set specific technical requirements for fire doors in new or refurbished buildings.
Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines or closure of premises and most importantly, it can put lives in danger.
Case Study: Lessons from Grenfell
The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 showed the devastating consequences of inadequate fire safety. Investigations have found that some fire doors failed to contain
smoke and flames as intended. This contributed to the rapid spread throughout the building and highlighted the importance of proper installation and maintenance.
While Grenfell was a residential tower, the lessons apply everywhere. A fire door is not just a door. It is a life-saving barrier. If it does not work, the results can be catastrophic.
Fire Safety in Our Workplace
As part of our commitment to health and safety, our organization takes proactive steps to ensure fire door safety. These include:
· Regular Inspections to check for gaps, broken seals or damage.
· Prompt repairs carried out by a qualified professional.
· Clear escape routes with no obstructions.
· Staff Training, so everyone understands the importance of fire doors and why they should never be propped open.
These actions form part of our wider Health and Safety policy to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
How Everyone Can play a Part
Fire door Safety is a shared responsibility. Every employee can make a difference by:
· Never wedging or propping a fire door open.
· Reporting any damage, such as loose hinges, gaps or broken seals.
· Keeping corridors and exits clear at all times.
· Taking fire drills seriously and knowing where fire exits are located.
Even the smallest action- like closing a fire door properly can save lives in an emergency.
A Shared Responsibility
Fire Door Safety Week is about more than awareness. It is a reminder that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, every day of the year. By checking, respecting, and maintaining fire doors, we protect our colleagues, clients, and workplaces.
A fire door is not just part of a building. It is a barrier between safety and danger. Treating it with the importance it deserves helps ensure that if a fire does happen, we are all given the best possible chance to get out safely.
As part of our Fire Door Safety week, we are sharing a practical tool to help you strengthen fire safety in your workplace- the Fire Door Checklist
This checklist has been designed to make regular fire door inspections simple and consistent. By completing it, you can quickly spot any issues such as:
· Gaps around the Door or frame
· Damaged seals or hinges
· Doors that do not close properly.
· Obstruction or misuse (e.g.- fire doors wedged open)
Using the checklist helps ensure that fire doors are always in good working order, compliant with regulations, and ready to do their job if an emergency occurs.
