SECURITY AND SAFETY
A fire door inspection in progress.
The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), 75% of the 100,000 doors inspected by its inspectors in 2021 failed to meet the required safety standards. This alarming statistic highlights the potential risks associated with neglecting fire door maintenance. While fire doors act as a barrier to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, their effectiveness relies heavily on regular inspections, correct installation, and proper maintenance. One common area of concern is the
fire-stopping between the door frame and wall, behind the architrave. In addition, and much more visible, is the door gap – the area between the door edge and frame. If these elements are not adequately sealed and maintained within permitted parameters, they can provide a pathway for smoke and flames to permeate, endangering lives, and causing extensive property damage.
Prioritising training and education To address this pressing issue, it is imperative for organisations to prioritise comprehensive training and education programmes for all staff involved in the
An Intastop mental health door featuring a removable doorstop, vision panel, and continuous hinge.
management and maintenance of fire doors. By ensuring that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify potential issues and take appropriate action, mental healthcare Facilities managers can proactively mitigate risks, and enhance overall fire safety, in the buildings for which they are responsible. By working collaboratively, we can
all strive to drive improvements and raise standards, not only through the manufacturing, but just as much through regulation and certification of procedures. If staff are aware of potential fire door hazards, a full inspection should take place, and that should be undertaken by a BM Trade Q-Mark Fire Door Inspection certified specialist. If they hold this certificate, you can rest assured that your inspector has the knowledge and expertise needed to certify that your fire doors are able to provide a safe environment for building users.
Aesthetically pleasing Complementing the essential, practical elements of mental healthcare facility
One common area of concern is the fire-stopping between the door frame and wall, behind the architrave. In addition, and much more visible, is the door gap – the area between the door edge and frame
THE NETWORK | AUGUST 2023
design is their aesthetic appearance, which can deliver positive impacts for both service-user and staff wellbeing. The use of colour and images can prove calming, and indeed Dulux now has a dedicated Healthcare Colour Palette to facilitate this. It’s all about creating an environment that is calm, yet functional, and that is closely intertwined with the highest levels of safety.
One product type that supports this goal perfectly, and allows creativity and individuality to be expressed, is wall protection products, such as Aspex Impact Protection Sheet, which allows the creation of individual designs that may encompass images, company logos or slogans, consumer and patient / service-user messages, or other information. The graphic is back-printed into clear sheet, meaning that the image stands the test of time, and will not become scratched by daily use, traffic, or via stringent, mandatory cleaning and infection control policies. Bespoke images are also supported – via a range of pre- designed images, affording specifiers and building managers greater choice in their wall protection. Aspex is perfectly complemented
by a new-to-market product, Ricochet Wallpaper – a flexible wallpaper which brings the latest in wall protection coverings, and is Class O rated – the highest certification of fire safety, making it reassuringly safe, and not compromising
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