Fire doors

Fire doors are vital, engineered equipment that help play a major role in protecting the building and the occupants. They are designed to provide safe escape routes and to help stop the spread of fire hazards within the building.

All fire doors must adhere to strict manufacturer and installation regulations to ensure they are suitable. The door will include specific components such as:

• Frame
• Self-closing device
• Intumescent smoke seals
• Suitable hinges, screws and locking mechanisms
• If needed, a suitable fire-resistant glazing

Fire doors are a critical element in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, and it should be everybody’s responsibility in a shared building to make sure that they are fit for purpose. 

A Southampton City Council external consultant undertakes fire door inspections in compliance with fire safety legislation. The contract with the consultant commenced in July 2022. The consultant inspects the following fire doors across the city:

• High-rise communal doors and riser doors – every three months
• High-rise flat front doors – every 12 months
• Medium-rise communal doors and riser cupboards – every three months
• Medium-rise flat front doors – every 12 months
• Low-rise blocks all fire doors – every 12 months

Knowing what to look out for and what to do if you spot a problem with a fire door might just save a life.

Keep it closed – it is crucial that all fire doors throughout the building are kept closed at all times. They are designed to withstand fire and smoke to keep you and your belongings safe, but they can only do their job if they are shut. So if you see a fire door propped open please close it, or let us know by contacting your local housing office or alerting your Neighbourhood Warden.

Do not tamper with it – each flat front door is an expensive and vital piece of safety kit so it is important you keep it as it is without making any modifications. Drilling into your front door or attaching anything to the door or frame will affect its performance so please do not tamper with your front door. Also, please do not disconnect the door closer as this ensures that the door will fully close and offer protection from smoke and fire.

Report any concerns – if you suspect the building you are living in has a faulty fire door do not walk by, please let your local housing office know. And if you notice someone damaging a fire door please report this immediately.

Remember, living in a high-rise block does not mean you are any more at risk from fire, but it does mean you need to consider your fire safety and the impact you could have on other residents so it is essential that you follow this advice.

As well as using fire doors correctly and reporting any problems, there are lots of other things that you can do to keep your family and your home safe from the risk of fire. Check out top home safety tips from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service including how to reduce fire hazards in the home and to see if you are eligible for a free safe and well visit.

Fire Door Safety Week was launched in 2013 in response to a legacy of poor maintenance of fire doors. It is a campaign to increase public understanding of the role that fire doors play in protecting life and property and is managed by the British Woodworking Federation. Living in a high-rise block does not mean you are any more at risk from fire, but it does mean you need to consider your fire safety and the impact you could have on other residents.

Suspect the building you are living in, working in or visiting has a faulty fire door? Do not walk by. Report it to whoever manages or owns the building. You could save a life that day.

There are five steps to ensure that a fire door is fit for purpose. 

This information and the images are courtesy of the British Woodworking Federation, you can view the full version on the Fire Door Safety Week website.