22 Fire Door Safety Week
Fire Door Safety Week Feature
Championing the life- saving role of fi re doors
Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation explains the main goals of Fire Door Safety Week 2026 and highlights the growing risks for the industry.
T
he British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Safety Week (21-25 September 2026) returns to champion and raise awareness of the vital role that fi re doors play in the event of a fi re by holding back the
spread of fi re and smoke to help save lives and protect property. As the campaign enters its 13th year, the need for greater awareness remains
urgent. From the growing risks associated with lithium-ion battery fi res to reports of inspections where fi re doors do not meet the required standards, recent incidents show why education, regular checks and proactive maintenance are essential.
FIRE DOOR SAFETY WEEK 2026 From our previous Fire Door Safety Week campaigns, we know that fi re door maintenance issues are not always reported. In fact, our 2025 research found that only 29% of people had reported faulty fi re doors. T is reporting gap matters because fi re door safety depends on people
recognising problems and acting on them. While those responsible for a building have clear legal duties over fi re safety, everyone can play an important role by recognising and reporting obvious fi re door defects – from missing door closers to gaps around doors, as well as taking proactive steps to encourage fi re door safety, such as closing a fi re door that has been propped open. To help understand the existing perceptions of fi re doors, this year Fire Door
Safety Week will explore how aware people are of fi re safety measures in the diff erent buildings they visit and if building type infl uences their awareness. As part of the campaign owned, managed and funded by the BWF, we will
publish new research exploring how diff erent generations understand fi re door safety and where they obtain their information. T e fi ndings will help identify gaps in awareness and the channels and sources that people turn to for fi re safety education.
A fi re door can only protect lives and property if it is able to perform as intended
FIRE DOOR CHECK IN FIVE STEPS For all awareness campaigns, the ultimate aim is to translate awareness into action. For fi re doors within housing association properties, formal inspection and maintenance should always be carried out by competent people. However, building users can help by recognising obvious signs that a fi re door may not be operating correctly and reporting them for further inspection. T at’s why we developed the Five Step Check – to empower all individuals
with the knowledge they need to check whether a fi re door requires immediate attention: 1. Check for certifi cation – look for a label, plug or marking to show that the fi re door is certifi ed and follow the instructions. Also check that all ironmongery (locks, hinges, etc) are CE and UKCA marked
2. Look for gaps – check the gap around the door frame is consistent – it should be 3-4 mm – with the gap under the door able to be up to 8 mm. If there are gaps bigger than these, smoke and fi re could travel through, so it’s important to report them
Fire Door Safety Week will explore how aware people are of fi re safety measures in the diff erent buildings they visit and if building type infl uences their awareness
3. Check the seals – look for intumescent seals around the door and frame to check they’re intact with no signs of damage. T ese seals expand when in contact with heat to help prevent fi re and smoke travelling through gaps – if these are damaged, the fi re door requires maintenance
4. Are the hinges secure – check the door’s hinges are fi rmly fi xed and that there are no broken or missing screws. If the hinges are loose, the fi re door may not perform as it should in the event of a fi re
5. Confi rm the door closes correctly – let the door shut to check that the closer shuts the door onto the latch from any position without sticking on the fl oor or the frame. A fi re door can only perform its life-saving role if it’s shut, so while this step of the check is the simplest, it’s the most important.
When checking the condition of the fi re door, if anything appears damaged, missing or not working correctly, report it to the person responsible for the building.
A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO FIRE DOOR SAFETY Fire doors are used every day, and their condition can change through damage, wear, poor maintenance and in some cases, misuse. T ose responsible for buildings must ensure fi re doors are correctly specifi ed, regularly inspected and maintained by competent people. But building users can also play an important supporting role by keeping fi re doors closed, recognising obvious defects and reporting maintenance concerns. A fi re door can only protect lives and property if it is able to perform as
intended. By improving knowledge and understanding and encouraging a proactive approach to reporting, together we can ensure these vital fi re safety systems can fulfi l their life-saving role.
Helen Hewitt is CEO of the British Woodworking Federation Housing Management & Maintenance Autumn 2026
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