Fire Doors Feature


Safety & Security


The need for closure


Rob Adams from Arrone, shares best practice guidance for making sure door closers within student halls of residence comply with the latest safety standards


D


oor closers play an integral part in making sure doors open and close effectively. In the event of a fire, a firmly closed fire door helps to slow down the effects of flames and smoke, with the Government stating


that: ‘Fire doors are one of the most important measures to safeguard the means of escape from fire.’ Fire prevention within halls of residence is widely recognised as being a


key responsibility for universities. New legislation – Te Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 – came into force on 23rd January 2023 to introduce new duties on building owners and managers acting as the Responsible Persons. Te regulations are an important step in actioning the recommendations


made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase One report and have been implemented under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety Order). All Responsible Persons working in multi-occupied, multi-storey buildings


over 11 metres tall are legally required to conduct quarterly checks of all fire doors within communal areas and, on a best endeavour basis, annual checks of all entrance doors leading on to communal areas.


As is the case with all fire safety measures, it is essential that fire and entrance doors and the associated hardware, particularly the door closers, are kept in good working order


Te checks apply to self-closing doors and cover every aspect of fire and


entrance doors, including the essential hardware: hinges, locks or latches and door closers. Guidance published by the Government states that the checks should consider: • If there have been any alterations or damage to a fire door’s glazing apertures or air transfer grille;


• If there are any gaps around the door frame and that seals and hinges are fitted correctly;


• Tat the door closer shuts the fire door; • Tat the fire door closes correctly around the whole frame; and • Tat there is no visible damage to the door or door closer.


Responsible Persons should also inform students about the importance of keeping fire doors closed at all times and ask them not to tamper with the doors. Clear information should also be distributed to students about what to do if any of the doors are faulty or damaged in any way and who to notify. Fire doors should not be wedged open under any circumstances. If a door


must be kept open, for instance, because it is in a high traffic area, then the use of an overhead electromagnetic door closing device would provide an acceptable and safe solution. Tis is a product type that will ensure the door is held open and automatically closes the door when the fire alarm is triggered, all in accordance with fire safety and legal requirements. As is the case with all fire safety measures, it is essential that fire and entrance


doors and the associated hardware, particularly the door closers, are kept in good working order. Regular inspections, as stipulated by the new regulations, play an important role in making sure wear and tear that may lead to defects are immediately detected and repaired.


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMDecember/January 2024 | 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36