It is the nature of humans to undermine the value of something unless we need it. A similar goes for fire doors; most of us tend to think only about fire doors once a fire emergency occurs in a building.
Having fire doors installed in a building is now a legal requirement in many countries, such as the UK. With fire doors being a legal requirement, it is easy to conclude that they play a vital role in saving lives and ensuring safety of property in a fire emergency. Whether you are a landlord or an employer, your primary concern should be ensuring the fire doors are installed in the right place.
In this blog, we will look further upon into the importance of fire doors in your workplace and understand how they work and the process of maintaining them at your workplace.
What are fire doors?
A fire door, also known as a fire-resisting door, is exactly what the name suggests. It is an essential part of fire safety equipment. A fire door can either be a door or a shutter. Fire doors are passive fire safety equipment that delays and contains the spread of fire or smoke. Trapping fire or smoke inside a certain area prevents it from spreading further. This allows the evacuation safely out of a building, saving lives and property.
Made out of timber, metals, gypsum, glass or a combination of materials, fire doors are meant to stay open for people and closed for fire and smoke.
Purpose of fire doors
The purpose of fire doors can’t be described in normal words. It is an essential fire safety equipment that helps prevent fires and smoke from spreading, saving countless lives and property. Fire doors are specially designed and constructed to provide a barrier that can withstand the effects of a fire for a specified period, allowing occupants to evacuate safely and giving emergency responders time to control the fire.
Here are some key points about the purpose and features of fire doors
- Fire containment: Fire doors are essential to a building’s passive fire protection system. With fire doors strategically placed in walls, corridors, and other key building areas, they contain all the fire and smoke within a specific area, preventing its rapid spread.
- Delaying fire spread: When a fire occurs, the first and foremost step is to prevent it from escalating so that fewer and fewer people are endangered. A fire door does exactly that! Fire doors are designed to resist fire for a specific period. These periods can range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the quality and material of the fire door.
- Smoke control: Smoke originating from fires can be equally dangerous for a person’s health. Causing asphyxiation, this smoke should not be inhaled by the public, as they contain a huge amount of carbon gasses that directly and instantly affect the person’s health directly and instantly. Fire doors are constructed with smoke seals and other components that help restrict the passage of smoke, maintaining clearer evacuation routes and protecting occupants.
- Clear markings: Fire doors are usually labelled for the public eye to see. The label indicates the public to close the fire doors when not in use. These signs often have recognizable symbols, such as the word “Fire Door” or a fire pictogram.
Importance of Fire Door
- Life safety: Everyone’s first concern should be safety in a fire emergency. The primary importance of fire doors is to protect human life. Fire doors act as a barrier in a fire, preventing the rapid spread of flames, smoke, and toxic gases throughout the building. This containment of fire and smoke gives occupants more time to evacuate safely, reducing the risk of injuries or fatalities.
- Property protection: Fire doors help minimize property damage by confining the fire to its area of origin. By compartmentalizing the building, fire doors limit the destruction caused by flames, heat, and smoke, which can significantly reduce repair and rebuilding costs.
- Safe Escape Routes: Fire doors are strategically placed to ensure evacuation routes remain clear and safe during a fire emergency. By preventing the migration of fire and smoke, fire doors maintain viable escape paths for occupants, allowing them to reach designated exits and assembly points without obstruction.
- Compliance with Building Regulations: Fire doors are a requirement in building codes and regulations to ensure the safety of occupants and protect property. Compliance with these regulations is essential for obtaining permits, certifications, and insurance coverage for the building.
Responsibilities of Landlords and Employers
Both employers and landlords have responsibilities regarding fire doors to ensure the safety of occupants and comply with fire safety regulations. Here are some key responsibilities:
- Installation and maintenance: Employers and landlords are responsible for the proper installation of fire doors in accordance with building codes and regulations. They should ensure fire doors are in good working condition and regularly maintained. This includes inspecting and testing fire doors, repairing or replacing damaged components, and ensuring that self-closing mechanisms function correctly. However, inspecting fire doors can be challenging, and not everyone can do so. So therefore, employers should consider providing training like fire door accreditation course and fire door maintenance training to their employees or designated personnel.
- Fire Door Specifications: Employers and landlords must ensure that fire doors meet the required specifications for fire resistance, such as the appropriate fire rating and the use of approved materials. Fire doors should be installed in appropriate locations, including areas that require compartmentalization or serve as emergency exits or stairwells.
- Adequate Signage: Clear signage indicating the presence and purpose of fire doors should be displayed. Employers and landlords should ensure that fire door signs are prominently placed and easily visible, emphasizing the significance of keeping the doors closed and not obstructing them.
- Training and Education: Employers are responsible for providing proper training and education to employees or tenants regarding fire safety measures, including the importance of fire doors. This may include fire drills, evacuation procedures, and instructions on effectively operating fire doors.
- Record-Keeping: Employers and landlords should maintain records of fire door installation, maintenance, and inspections. This includes documentation of repairs, testing, and any certifications obtained. These records can serve as evidence of compliance with fire safety regulations and provide a historical record of fire door maintenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the importance of fire doors in the workplace is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and protecting valuable assets. Employers are responsible for installing, maintaining, and regularly inspect fire doors to meet fire safety regulations. By providing a barrier against the spread of fire, smoke, and heat, fire doors enable safe evacuation, protect escape routes, and minimize property damage. With proper training and education, employees can appreciate the significance of fire doors and actively contribute to a culture of fire safety. By prioritizing installing and maintaining fire doors, employers showcase their commitment to the well-being of their workforce and create a secure working environment.
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