Protech Property Solutions Ltd carry out fire door inspection and provide you with a report to determine what is required for your doors to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

How often should I have my fire door inspection?

Depending on the type of building you are responsible for and who occupies it will influence the frequency of fire door inspections required. Some buildings, such as schools and hospitals, are subject to heavy traffic and the doors have a hard time often being subject to repeated misuse.

BS9999 recommends six monthly inspections and includes guidance on some of the main inspection criteria, but remember that you are responsible for ensuring an adequate inspections and maintenance routine is in place.

What is covered during our fire door inspection?

During a fire door inspection our technicians inspect each component of the fire door assembly including:

• Door leaf
• Door frame
• Door closer (self-closing devices)
• Hinges
• Intumescent door strip and cold smoke seals
• Glazing (vision panels)
• Locks and levers/handles
• Fire safety signage
• Hold open devices
• Gaps around the doors and threshold gaps
• Panic hardware devices for external final fire exit doors

Upon completion of fire door and final fire exit door inspections, a report is produced detailing the condition of each door and listing the areas of non-compliance, which creates a database and asset register for future on-going inspections.

Why are fire doors important?

Fire doors are part of a buildings passive fire protection system and are fundamental to fire strategies for buildings.

They provide critical protection within a building, such as escape routes (stairs and corridors) and separate different fire hazards in a building.

Effective fire doors ensure rooms are compartmented, to help keep fire, and possibly smoke, in the area in which it starts, to protect occupants (and contents) of other compartments safe and to protect escape routes.

What is a fire door and what is a final escape route?

A fire door is a collection of components that includes the door leaf, frame, seals and essential door hardware, which are referred to in the door’s fire test evidence. This is called a fire door assembly and use of the wrong components may have a significant impact on the overall performance of the fire door.

A final escape door is the door used, in the event of an emergency, to exit the building and to reach a place of safety. It must operate correctly and be fitted with the correct hardware. Correct signage is also a mandatory requirement for fire doors and escape doors.

How do I know if my fire doors are fit for purpose?

Just like other life safety devices, such as fire extinguishers and alarms, fire doors and final escape doors need periodic inspection and maintenance to ensure that they will perform as intended in a fire situation.  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order places this obligation with the responsible person and for life safety devices it is prudent to seek advice from a competent person.

For more information or advise please Call 0845 604 1288 or visit Fire Door Maintenance.