Fire doors are not just ordinary doors; they are a critical component of any building’s fire safety strategy, acting as the first line of defence against the spread of fire and smoke. In the event of a blaze, every second counts, and a properly functioning fire door can provide occupants with invaluable time to evacuate and emergency responders with time to arrive. However, despite their vital role, the state of internal fire doors across the UK reveals a worrying picture regarding compliance with current fire doors regulations.
The Alarming Reality of Failing Fire Doors
A significant concern highlighted by passive fire safety professionals is the frequency of fire door compliance issues, which often include unsuited hardware, missing seals, and poor installations. These crucial barriers are frequently subjected to misuse or general wear and tear, compromising their effectiveness when they are needed most. A recent survey by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) of over 100,000 fire doors revealed a staggering 75% failure rate, meaning three out of four fire doors might not perform as expected in a fire scenario, significantly increasing risks to life and property.
Inspections typically involve up to 59 checks, meticulously examining everything from the integrity of door frames and hardware, to hinges, closers, seals, gaskets, and signage. Common issues include non-compliant gaps (which should be 2-4mm at the top, hinge, and opening sides, and 3-8mm at the bottom), loose or missing hinge screws, or damaged intumescent and smoke seals.
Navigating Strict Fire Door Regulations and Compliance
Building owners and operators bear the legal responsibility for ensuring their fire doors are properly installed, maintained, and fit for purpose. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 mandate routine inspection and maintenance to meet safety standards. For instance, BS9999 recommends inspections every six months, but buildings over 11 metres (4 storeys) with two or more domestic properties require common area doors to be inspected every three months. Apartment doors in such buildings also require annual inspection by a “competent person”.
Failing to comply with these fire doors regulations can lead to severe consequences, including building closures, criminal prosecution, substantial fines for the building owner or operator, and even the voiding of insurance policies in the event of a fire. If remedial works are not undertaken following a failed inspection, owners can face formal repair notices, reporting to enforcement departments, court orders, and even forfeiture action. Furthermore, a lack of satisfactory compartmentation could necessitate a costly ‘waking watch’.
A Smarter Approach to Fire Door Management with Boris
Given the complexity and critical nature of fire door compliance, traditional manual processes can lead to wasted hours and inefficiencies. This is where modern software solutions like Boris can make a significant difference.
Boris is designed to run businesses smarter, offering a comprehensive suite of tools accessible on iOS, Android, and web browsers. It specifically addresses the challenges of lost paperwork and manual processes, helping organisations cut through chaos, saving them over 10 hours a week and reducing costs by more than 20%.
Here’s how Boris enhances fire door compliance and overall operations:
• Compliance Management: Boris provides easy-to-follow procedures, supports photo capture, and includes digital signatures to help maintain safety standards. This is crucial for documenting the condition of fire doors during inspections and ensuring all checks are accurately recorded.
• Asset Management: With Boris, businesses can digitise assets using barcodes, QR codes, or NFC tags. This allows for efficient tracking and control of every fire door, creating a detailed digital record and audit trail essential for the “Golden Thread of Building Information”. This feature enables building owners and operators to proactively plan regular preventive maintenance for each individual fire door.
• Operations Management: Boris simplifies job scheduling, resource allocation, and deployment for field-based teams, making it easier to manage routine fire door inspections and maintenance works. It automates scheduling, job tracking, and report generation, effectively streamlining operations and eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork.
• Time and Cost Savings: The system is praised by users for its efficiency. For example, Bradford Royal Infirmary NHS reported that the Boris system saved them significant time in completing their fire risk assessments, reducing the process from five days to just one. TECL, another user, highlighted that Boris saved their field workers countless hours, improved compliance, and made job tracking seamless, calling it a “game-changer”.
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Scalability: Boris is scalable and customisable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. This means it can support comprehensive fire door management regardless of the building portfolio’s scale.
In conclusion, ensuring the effectiveness of fire doors is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about safeguarding lives and property. While the challenges with internal fire doors and their installation are clear, embracing robust digital tools like Boris for management and compliance offers a powerful path to seamless operations, significantly enhanced safety, and adherence to crucial fire doors regulations
