Fire doors are an indispensable part of keeping buildings safe; they keep blazes at bay, protecting property and giving first responders vital extra time to help people. However, they do bring with them extra regulations and more inspections. With fire door safety week coming up, let’s focus on this key component of the fire safety arsenal.
This article explains what the new fire door inspection regulations entail and how Total Fire Group can support the business in navigating them and most importantly – keeping properties and people safe.
How are the rules regarding fire door inspections changing?
Furthermore, even more regulations are being placed on how fire doors are being maintained
2022 fire safety regulations require that the ‘responsible person’ for multi-occupancy residential buildings over 11m do annual checks on flat doors, as well as checking the communal doors every quarter.
When applied to bigger buildings or a portfolio of multiple properties, this becomes a rather large undertaking that can bring in lots of paperwork and even more extra time.
Furthermore, even more regulations are being placed on how fire doors are being maintained. Section 156 of the Building Safety Act – soon to be introduced in October 2023 – requires that all inspections of fire doors in residential buildings over 18m are to have written documentation with proof of the action taken.
What do the new regulations mean for them?
As the responsible person for a building, these changes will mean that fire door inspections will take up a lot more of the time and create a lot more paperwork. This increased workload can mean that important tasks and records can be forgotten, leading to issues down the line.
To allow them time to complete the duties – and the peace of mind that the job is being done right – they might consider upgrading the software or bringing in a company to complete inspections and the required paperwork.
How They Can Help
The methods have been tested, reviewed and adapted over time to give the clients the highest level of service
At Total Fire Group, they have over 16 years of industry experience helping businesses not just meet safety requirements but go above and beyond to protect people and properties to the highest standards.
The methods have been tested, reviewed and adapted over time to give the customers the highest level of service – even as the industry and its requirements change.
Holistic and risk-based approach
When it comes to fire doors, they know how important they are to stopping the spread of fire, so they take into account all of their parts – from hinges and frames to signage. They also point out risks that aren’t part of the Fire Safety Order’s requirements, but could pose a risk to the safety of the property. This holistic and risk-based approach has helped them become pioneers in the industry and could help the business take safety to the next level.
With the new regulations coming into play imminently, they can help them navigate these changes, giving them peace of mind when it comes to compliance.
