Fire Door Safety Week Focus
Te regulations highlight that these checks should be visual and simple to carry out – without the need for a specialist or tools. Tis should include a visual inspection to confirm that the self-closing device is working, and that there are no alterations, large gaps or damage to the fire door. To support the checks needed, the government has developed a helpful checklist. For all fire door checks, data should be captured electronically for a
digital record of the inspection date, details of fire doors checked, and any observations.
RAISING AWARENESS Tis year’s Fire Door Safety Week follows the introduction of new building and fire safety legislation and will highlight how greater awareness needs to go hand in hand with regulation to move fire safety standards forward. Since its launch in 2013, Fire Door Safety Week has been crucial in raising
awareness and addressing the ongoing misunderstanding of the vital role that fire doors play in keeping building occupants safe. Te annual campaign, which will take place this year from 19-25 September 2023, is funded and managed by the British Woodworking Federation and is supported by a wide range of partners in the industry. Each year the campaign draws attention to specific issues related to fire
doors such as poor installation and maintenance. It calls on building owners and users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors, and report those that aren’t fit for purpose. It also engages and educates property owners and the whole building industry to help them better understand the correct specification, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire doors. Tis year’s campaign will focus on the need for education to empower
building users to be able to spot common fire door issues and provide them with the confidence to report issues to the responsible person for maintenance. It will also bring to life the importance of the life-saving role that a fire door fulfils and the need for everyone to play a role in reporting issues to ensure fire doors remain fit for purpose and able to perform as designed to save lives. As part of the campaign this year, we will be launching new research bringing to attention the common misconceptions over fire door maintenance,
Regulation is what underpins the entire fire safety ecosystem when it comes to housing
inspection and reporting. We’ll also be hosting educational webinars to give fire safety professionals a platform to share their latest insights and industry best practice on fire door specification, installation and maintenance. Tere’s no question that fire doors perform a life-saving role in the event of a
fire, but they can only perform effectively if they are correctly specified, installed and maintained – and more needs to be done beyond the introduction of new regulation. Trough this year’s Fire Door Safety Week campaign, we aim to ensure everyone can play their part in being able to recognise and report issues that, if corrected, might make the difference in saving peoples’ lives.
Helen Hewitt is CEO from the British Woodworking Federation (BWF)
36 | HMMAugust/September 2023 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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