SAFETY & SECURITY
reduce common hazards and the possibility of danger before it surfaces.
Routine fire door checks can save lives and should form the agenda of anyone responsible for fire safety management. They consist of reviewing the specification, installation, condition and certification of: • The door furniture • The hinges • Locks and latches • Door closers • Hold open devices • Signage • Exit devices • Door seals • The gaps around the door (3mm is recommended for fire doors)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ukca-marking-conformity-assessment-and-documen- tation
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ce-marking https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors/
When performing a closing action, a fire door calls upon each of these components and as such, not one element can fail in the event of a fire. To meet the necessary standards, the complete fire doorset must pass a series of standardised tests in the form of UKCA and CE certifications, which healthcare officials can identify – alongside a fire door’s FD ratings – by reviewing the label, usually found on the top edge of the door.
Correct specification is essential to long-term performance too. For high-use areas in large hospitals, for example, electromagnetic hold-open devices are a more appropriate choice and allow fire doors to close once a fire alarm is activated, automatically releasing the door in a safe and controlled manner. In smaller, slower-paced settings, cam-action closers with slide arms can fulfil fire door regulations whilst providing ease of operation and accessibility for vulnerable users who may otherwise struggle with heavy doors.
Regardless of size, layout and the building’s needs, all healthcare facilities must look to inherit a regular maintenance plan for their fire doors and emergency exit routes. In doing so, teams can highlight any early signs that a fire door is not performing as it’s
required to, which can help prevent irreparable damage to the door and its hardware – saving the need for replacements and reducing costs for establishments managing budget restraints. When a fire door and its hardware is no longer compliant, teams must ensure repairs and replacements are made quickly and at a professional standard.
Fire door safety is an ongoing responsibility for healthcare management teams and requires comprehensive planning and regular action. Where patient safety remains the primary focus, a proactive approach is necessary. As such, healthcare officials are urged to pay close attention to their estate’s fire door safety measures, because although fire is unpredictable, it is in most cases preventable.
www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors
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www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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