Fire Door Maintenance - Essential Guide to Safety and Compliance

A property can be caught up by fire at any time, and one should be well-prepared to avoid the spreading of the fire. Although you may have a fire extinguisher, installing and maintaining the fire door is vital. Fire doors are an essential part of a fire door safety system, and each commercial space must have one.

In many cases, residential apartments do have these fire doors. Your responsibility doesn't end with the installation; regular inspections and following the right fire door maintenance are important.

Proper maintenance is critical to ensuring their functionality during an emergency since faulty fire doors might fail to control fire, endangering lives and property.

Moreover, undertaking fire safety measures is part of regulatory reform, which you need to follow. Regular inspection and maintenance help to ensure their integrity and effectiveness.

This article presents you with the insight about steps to follow for fire door inspections, regulatory reform fire safety, and other fire protection methods. Examine the following critical fire door maintenance options to maintain safety and compliance.

How Often Should Fire Doors Be Checked?

Everyday use of fire doors can cause minor changes to the door and overall materials, which can compromise the door's function during a fire. Regular fire door inspections, as per regulations by a qualified person, will ensure that any problems in the fire door are identified and that the door is in good working order. Moreover, there is no compromise in terms of fire safety.

According to BWF Fire Door Alliance, fire doors must be checked at least once quarterly. The building’s or organisation’s responsible person should do this. Any fire door that is used regularly in high-traffic areas will require more frequent inspections.

Fire Door Maintenance – 8 Simple Steps to Follow

Fire doors must be in good functioning order so they work well during a fire emergency. Regular maintenance can guarantee that the doors are properly aligned, latched, and sealed, preventing the spread of smoke and fire.

Identify if the Door is Fire Rated

As a building owner, it is important to install external fire doors that pass the regulatory reform guidelines. Check the certification sticker or a coloured plug, which are normally found on the upper edge of the fire door. You might utilise your phone camera's selfie mode to find the label. An uncertified door may not provide any protection.

Checking Seals and Gaps

Use a space gauge to determine whether the space between the door and the frame is 2 mm to 4 mm all the way around. Intumescent seals should be installed around the door or frame and maintained in good condition. Seals capture smoke and prevent fire from spreading through the holes.

Test Door Closure

One of the important things to consider is to check if the door closes well. These fire-resisting doors should close well in an emergency to protect the people and area. A fire door must close properly to contain fire and smoke; therefore, look for slow or incomplete closures. Modern fire doors carry heavy door frame that can sustain fire and smoke.

Check Hinges and Locks

Check hinges and locks for signs of wear, rusting, or loosening. Faulty hardware might reduce the door's efficacy and should be replaced if damaged. During the regular maintenance of the fire door, ensure that hinges and locks work properly.

Clean and Lubricate Parts

To guarantee that moving elements such as hinges and locks operate smoothly, clean and lubricate them on a regular basis. Dirt and debris can have an impact on door performance and functionality.

Check Fire Glass

Fire doors with resistant glazing should be checked well to look for cracks and damage. Any damaged glass should be fixed or replaced right away to ensure fire resistance.

Check that the Fire Door is Well Marked

Fire doors should have obvious signs identifying their use. Ensure labels are intact and comply with fire safety regulations. These signages are important and instruct people to use the door and passage safely.

Get a Professional Check

Schedule at least one professional examination per year. A qualified person with certification will check smoke detectors if the fire door can withstand high temperatures, and follow the reform fire safety order. Certified fire door inspectors can discover faults that the untrained eye may miss, ensuring that fire safety rules are followed.

Fire Door Maintenance Regulations

Just like any other passive fire protection system, a fire door must function properly in the case of a fire. Any minor changes to the door or its surrounds can have an impact on its performance. As a result, a fire door should be tested on a regular basis to ensure that it performs properly and meets the design standards in the case of a fire.

Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) makes it a legal responsibility to ensure that fire-resistant and escape doors are properly fitted and maintained to be fit for purpose.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, also known as the FSO, applies to all structures other than residential housing and supersedes 118 pieces of earlier fire legislation, including the old fire certificate. The law now moves responsibility for fire door maintenance and safety from the fire department to the person in charge of the premises daily.

• The safety reform has laid down some rules for fire safety maintenance carried out by professionals to keep the building safe.

• Periodic check of fire doors every six months.

• Newly built structures require frequent fire door maintenance.

• The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require the responsible person to make their best efforts to check fire doors in buildings taller than 11 meters.

  It is vital to comply with fire safety laws that can result in serious penalties, such as fines and jail. It is always better to be cautious than sorry when it comes to fire safety.

Key Takeaways

Regular fire door maintenance in compliance with the regulatory system ensures that the doors work optimally and comply with safety rules. Inspections should take place once or twice a year, and maintenance should include damage checks, closure tests, and professional inspections.

Proper care helps to avoid fires and improves overall building safety, making fire door maintenance an important obligation.

FAQs on Fire Door Maintenance

To assist you in understanding fire door maintenance, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions below.

1) How to check the fire door gap?

Ans: To examine the gaps around the door, use a measuring gauge. The space should be 3mm-4mm on the top and sides, and up to 10mm on the bottom. If the gap exceeds these specifications, modifications or seals may be required.

2) How often do I need to replace my fire door?

Ans: You should replace fire doors if there is any significant damage or do not fulfil compliance requirements. A fire door can endure for many years if properly maintained, but frequent inspections will decide when it has to be replaced.

3) How can I fix a fire door that doesn’t close properly?

Ans: Check for loose hinges and misalignment. Adjust the hinges as per the requirement. If the situation persists, get professional help to guarantee compliance with fire safety laws.

4) Are there legal requirements for fire door maintenance?

Ans: Yes, fire door maintenance is legally mandated according to fire safety rules such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Hiring a professional person is a better idea to check if the regulation is followed.

5) What happens if a fire door is not maintained?

Ans: If the fire door is not maintained well, it may fail to stop the spread of fire and smoke, endangering lives and property. It may also result in legal fines for noncompliance. Regular maintenance ensures that fire doors operate properly.