Fire Door Safety Week 2020
Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire especially when we are asleep and at our most vulnerable. Their correct specification, installation, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death.
Despite this, fire door breaches remain one of the most common fines implemented under the Fire Safety Order, with common problems ranging from doors being wedged open, missing or damaged doors or even non-fire doors being installed in their place.
As part of the Fire Kills campaign, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are supporting Fire Door Safety Week from September 21st to the 27th and are encouraging building managers, landlords, tenants and all building users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and repair (if possible) or report those that aren’t satisfactory.
Head of Business Fire Safety for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Owen Jayne said: “It cannot be underestimated the difference that an effective fire door can make. A fire door is not always a fire exit door and is typically identified by a blue ‘FIRE DOOR KEEP SHUT’ sign often at eye level. Fire doors are an essential part of our fire protection, they help to compartmentalise a building, such as a block of flats, keeping fire and smoke trapped for a while in one area, so that the fire can be tackled, and people can be safely evacuated.
“If you’ve seen a damaged fire door or know of a flat entrance door that hasn’t been checked for fire performance, report it to your landlord or building manager straight away and if you see a fire door propped open, make sure you shut it – a fire door cannot work when open.”
Fire Door Safety Week is giving these tips for a 5 Step Fire Door Check that anyone can do, and which lets you know whether it’s time to call in the professionals:
For more details and to get involved, visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk.
