Why is Fire Door Safety Week Important?

When it comes to fire safety, nobody should be left feeling the heat. All over the world, fire safety is one of the most important pieces of health and safety legislation. From office blocks to industrial buildings, covering every aspect of fire safety ensures that businesses are never at fault if a fire should break out. That is why Fire Door Safety Week exists.

The emphasis is often on fire extinguishers and fire alarms, with workplaces taking the view that these pieces of equipment are enough to satisfy employees or leaseholders. Yet, neglecting the quality and standards of their fire doors should be a big no-no. That is the reason that in 2013 the folks at the British Woodwork Association started up Fire Door Safety Week – a yearly week of education and awareness surrounding the fair upkeep of fire doors across the country.

When is Fire Door Safety Week?

Fire Door Safety Week happens each September, with this year’s event happening 20^th – 26^th September. This week was created by The British Woodworking Federation and supported by, amongst others, the National Fire Chief’s Council and the London Fire Brigade. We’ll explain more about why Fire Door Safety Week is important below.

What can I do for Fire Door Safety Week?

Fire Door Safety Week should be in your calendar every year. While this may not be as exciting as, for example, National Pizza Day (9^th February, if you’re interested) it’s far more important and has the potential to save lives should a fire occur.

There’s a bunch of great content across on the Fire Door Safety Day website. Here, you can attend webinars, find out useful information and download infographics and tool kits that give you a further insight into the importance of fire door safety.

What are the Common Fire Door Problems to Look for?

There are several things you can action to ensure that you are doing the most possible to ensure good upkeep of your fire doors.

1. Firstly, ensure that the fire door is closed flush. To this, we mean closed over properly against and into the latch.
2. Make sure the door frame is undamaged. A damaged frame can cause the door to jam. Not good if there is a fire.
3. Are the hinges in good condition? Fire doors are infrequently used. This means that damaged hinges may go unnoticed for a long period. Check for damage, rust and general wear and tear.
4. Are the doors safety certified? Each properly certified fire door will have a label at the top (or side) that indicates they have been checked.

Fire door upkeep is similar the upkeep of any part of your building. Checking for general wear and tear and functionality is key. Checking your fire door works correctly should be a frequent activity, similar to testing your fire alarm and extinguisher. Keep this in mind, and you’ll be even more safe and secure.

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