Fire Door Safety Week 15


Fire Door Safety Week: Understanding change & preventing risk


Now in its 12th year, Fire Door Safety Week shines a spotlight on safety and awareness. Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation outlines this year’s key themes, and battery fi res in particular.


T


his September, Fire Door Safety Week returns for its 12th year, continuing its mission to raise awareness of the critical role that fi re doors play in protecting life, property, and peace of mind. T e campaign


has become a cornerstone of passive fi re protection advocacy over the last decade. Yet today, new and intensifying fi re risks, particularly the rise in lithium ion battery incidents, underscore why fi re door safety cannot aff ord to slip down the agenda. Fire doors remain one of the most eff ective and reliable means of preventing


the spread of fi re and smoke, providing occupants with time to leave the building while protecting escape routes to help emergency services access the building safely. T eir performance relies on proper specifi cation, installation and maintenance. Sadly, issues such as damage, misuse or poor repair standards remain widespread. Evolving fi re risks and upcoming changes to fi re door testing standards are


reshaping the fi re safety landscape; meaning Fire Door Safety Week remains crucial for raising awareness. T e UK Government has confi rmed that from 2029, fi re resistance testing for fi re doors will move from the current British Standard (BS 476-22) to the European classifi cation system (EN 13501-2), aligning with recommendations from the Hackitt Report and wider regulatory reforms following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Understandably, this transition raises important questions across housing


stock managers and fi re safety offi cers. What does this change mean for existing stock? Are doors tested to the current British Standard still compliant? T e short answer is yes. Fire doors tested to BS 476 remain fully valid and eff ective throughout this transition period and beyond, provided they are maintained appropriately and demonstrate the required certifi cation. In fact, Government testing confi rmed that timber fi re doors performed


consistently well under BS 476, with resistance times exceeding the 30 minute benchmark. For BWF members, test averages surpassed 46 minutes, providing strong evidence of the robustness and reliability of compliant timber doors. T e key for housing associations and councils is to be aware and prepare


for the upcoming transition, while being confi dent that maintained and fi t for purpose, certifi ed fi re doors tested to the current British Standard remain compliant. T ere is no requirement to replace doors that meet performance standards. However, engaging early with your supply chain and understanding the future standard now will help shape procurement strategies ready for 2029. We continue to work with industry partners, regulators and testing bodies


to ensure our members and the wider sector are prepared. T rough continued guidance and content, we aim to demystify this regulatory shiſt while maintaining confi dence in timber fi re doors and the protection they provide. Fire Door Safety Week this year will explore the modern fi re risks around the


home, following a sharp rise in lithium ion battery fi res in UK properties. With millions of everyday devices powered by rechargeable batteries, from electric scooters and electric bikes to power banks, vapes, laptops, and cordless tools, the risk is no longer isolated to industrial sites or transport hubs. It’s in our homes. In 2024, Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service reported a staggering 766%


increase in battery related fi res since 2018. Average insurance claims involving lithium ion fi res now exceed £50,000, and many originate from common residential behaviours: overcharging, using damaged batteries or relying on unregulated, counterfeit chargers. For housing providers managing multi occupancy blocks or vulnerable


residents, this emerging fi re risk demands attention. T e potential for rapid, intense combustion from battery failures, oſt en occurring in hallways or near exits, poses signifi cant threats to escape routes, smoke control systems and resident safety. T is year’s campaign will explore where these risks exist in homes, how residents and responsible persons can help mitigate them, and the role fi re doors play in delaying the spread of fi re and smoke from lithium ion ignition points. We’ll be releasing new research to understand public knowledge, device


ownership, and safe storage practices across the UK. Our aim is to provide housing managers, fi re safety offi cers and maintenance teams with the insight they need to inform both residents and retrofi t strategies. Whether tackling misinformation around fi re door standards or raising


awareness of new threats like lithium ion battery fi res, our message this year is clear – fi re safety is everyone’s responsibility. As ever, fi re doors can only do their job if they are fi t for purpose and properly


maintained. T is year, as we embrace change and confront new challenges, we do so with a continued commitment to knowledge, responsibility, and prevention.


Helen Hewitt is CEO of the British Woodworking Federation Housing Management & Maintenance August/September 2025


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