Fire door compliance in the UK

A recent survey conducted by health and safety training provider CE Safety has revealed troubling statistics about fire door safety in the UK.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme found that 75% of fire doors in Britain failed to meet required safety standards, with 31% incorrectly installed from the start.

As reported by CE Safety, their survey of 1,000 UK office workers highlighted a lack of awareness and knowledge about fire door safety.

The survey results indicated that many workers were unable to identify basic fire door faults, such as cracked glass or gaps around the door frame, which could severely impact a door’s ability to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Fire door faults and their impact

CE Safety’s survey demonstrated that many office workers could not correctly identify critical fire door faults.

Although 80% of respondents understood that fire doors should not be propped open, only 57% recognised cracked glass in a fire door as a problem, and 22% noted gaps around the door frame as an issue.

Gary Ellis, spokesperson for CE Safety, stated: “We were worried to see the amount of people who did not know important information about fire doors that could save lives.” He added that increased awareness could lead to faster reporting and repairs of faulty fire doors.

Training and fire door practices in workplaces

The survey also explored the level of fire door training UK office workers received upon starting employment.

Alarmingly, 35% of respondents said they had not been shown their workplace’s fire exit route, with significant regional variations in the responses.

In London, 47% of respondents had not received this training, compared to only 9% in Northern Ireland and 22% in Scotland.

In addition, the survey found that 41% of office workers had witnessed fire doors being improperly wedged open, and 17% had seen fire doors locked, raising concerns about the overall enforcement of fire door safety regulations.

Fire door mechanics and the importance of regular checks

Fire doors are designed with specialised features to withstand fire and toxic smoke.

For instance, intumescent strips installed around the door swell when exposed to heat, forming a seal to block smoke from escaping.

Fire doors also include self-closing mechanisms, and parts like hinges and screws must be made from heat-resistant materials to ensure the door remains functional during a fire.

According to CE Safety, fire doors should be inspected every six months to ensure they are in working order.

The survey results underscored the need for regular checks and proper fire door management to prevent dangerous situations.

UK fire door safety survey highlights fire door compliance failures and knowledge gaps: Summary

CE Safety’s recent survey of 1,000 UK office workers has revealed widespread non-compliance with fire door safety regulations.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme found that 75% of UK fire doors do not meet required safety standards, with 31% improperly installed.

The survey showed that many office workers were unaware of critical fire door faults, such as cracked glass and gaps around door frames.

Additionally, 35% of workers had not been shown their workplace’s fire exit route.

Regular checks and increased training are needed to address these safety gaps.