Fire doors can be a vital part of your fire risk assessment.

Fire doors ensure that should a fire break out, it can be contained in a “compartment”.

This keeps the fire and smoke trapped for a defined period, allowing time for people to get out and make the fire easier to tackle.

Fire doors should be checked regularly, and the more they’re used the more frequently they should be checked.

·        Do you know what a defective fire door looks like?

·        Are you tenants propping them open or disabling the self-closers?

·        Do you have procedure for checking, recording and managing the use of fire doors in your rental properties?

Taken from: Private Rented Housing - Fire Door Safety Week

Tips for Landlords

Regular Inspection

·        If you have had a Fire Risk Assessment, make sure doors were covered and the assessor is knowledgeable in this area

·        When you do your regular check, identify and include the fire doors, do this 5 Step Fire Door Check.

·        If in doubt bring in a professional to carry out a survey.

How to buy good quality fire doors

·        You’ll find lots of advice on specifying and buying high quality, third-party certificated fire doors and doorsets from the BWF Fire Door Alliance knowledge centre.

·        Always use a reputable and competent supplier – many people claim to make fire doors, but only some have got a properly tested product that is proved to work in a fire.

·        Ask whether the product has been fire tested and demand to see the documentation that proves it (e.g. fire certificate or label).

·        It’s not just the door itself that matters. The frame and ironmongery is just as important – they all work together. Only buy exact compatible hardware and components.

·        Always ask for installation instructions and follow them to the letter.

·        Saving a few quid on fire doors isn’t worth it. Consider the cost of damage and loss of life if a fire breaks out. Stick to the specification at all times.

Requirements to consider when specifying fire doors

·        All rooms should have fire doors which have a self-closing mechanism.

·        All fire doors must be durable and combine fire protection with accessibility.

How to install a fire door properly

·        Fire doors are not ordinary doors. They’re a carefully engineered fire safety device. They must be fitted correctly by a competent installer – if you employ people who install fire doors, make sure they know what they’re doing.

For more information visit Private Rented Housing - Fire Door Safety Week.