Fire Door Safety: Lack of Awareness Among UK Workers - Research Report

A recent survey conducted by CE Safety has revealed a lack of awareness among UK workers in relation to fire door management in the workplace.

Introduction

Fire doors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of employees by preventing the spread of fire and smoke, giving people the time they need to evacuate safely. These doors are designed to resist fire for a specific period, with ratings ranging from FD 30, offering 30 minutes of protection, up to FD 120, which can withstand fire for at least two hours. However, the effectiveness of a fire door relies heavily on its condition, and any damage—whether through tampering or general wear and tear—can drastically reduce its fire resistance.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) reported an alarming statistic: 75% of the over 100,000 fire doors inspected in the UK in 2021 did not meet the required standards. This highlights a significant issue in maintaining these critical safety features in workplaces across the country.

Legal Responsibilities & Maintenance

UK law mandates that all non-domestic buildings, including offices, must have properly functioning fire doors. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires an appointed individual to oversee the maintenance and inspection of these doors. This role is vital in ensuring that fire doors are regularly checked and in good working order, as even minor faults can pose a significant risk during a fire.

Fire doors should be inspected at least every six months, though those in multi-storey buildings over 11 metres tall with multiple residences need more frequent checks. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 stipulate that flat entrance fire doors must be inspected annually, while communal area fire doors should be checked every three months.

Survey Findings: A Lack of Awareness Among UK Workers

A recent survey of 1,000 UK office workers by CE Safety revealed concerning gaps in fire door safety awareness. The survey presented respondents with a list of potential fire door faults, asking them to identify which were problematic. While 80% correctly recognised that a propped-open fire door is a serious issue, other critical faults were less well-known. For example, 57% identified cracked glass as a problem, and 43% understood that a missing lock could allow smoke and gases to pass through.

Even more concerning, 41% of respondents admitted to seeing a fire door in their office propped open at some point. This practice, while seemingly harmless for ease of access, renders the door ineffective in the event of a fire. The only safe way to keep a fire door open is with a door release unit, a device that automatically closes the door when a fire alarm sounds.

Understanding the Importance of Proper Fire Door Use

The survey also asked workers how a fire door should be kept when not in use. Shockingly, 34% were unaware that a fire door should be kept closed but not locked. A further breakdown of the results showed that younger workers, particularly those aged 25-34, were the most likely to get this wrong, with only 36% providing the correct answer.

Fire exit doors, which are distinct from internal fire doors, should always be easy to open from the inside to allow for a swift evacuation. Unlike internal fire doors, there is no issue if these doors are left open, but they should never be locked while people are inside the building.

Key Components of Fire Doors

Fire doors are designed with specific features to withstand the intense conditions of a fire. Intumescent strips around the door or frame swell at high temperatures, sealing the door to prevent smoke from escaping. This is crucial, as smoke inhalation is a leading cause of fire-related deaths. Additionally, fire doors are fitted with special hinges, fire-rated glass, and self-closing mechanisms to ensure they function effectively in an emergency.

Conclusion: The Critical Role of Fire Doors in Workplace Safety

While fires at work are rare, understanding the proper use and maintenance of fire doors is essential. A simple action, like closing a fire door, could be the difference between life and death in the event of a fire. If you encounter a fire door left open, propped, or locked in your workplace, take immediate action to correct the situation and report it to your supervisor.

Ensuring that fire doors are properly maintained and used correctly is a shared responsibility. Regular inspections, combined with proper training, can help prevent tragic outcomes and keep everyone in the building safe.

Read the full findings here.

The blog post 'Fire Door Safety: Lack of Awareness Among UK Workers - Research Report' first appeared on www.search-recruitment.co.uk. Search² is a health and safety recruitment agency specialising in HSEQ.