Maintenance and Compliance Tips for Fire Door Safety for Landlords

Fire doors are crucial for fire door safety for landlords, serving as measures that help prevent the spread of fire and smoke. To meet safety standards, landlords should ensure their premises have compliant fire doors in line with building regulations. The blog will also touch on landlords’ legal compliance regarding fire doors and an easy-to-do test that any landlord can conduct to ascertain proper functionality.

Why is it essential for a landlord to ensure they have installed fire doors?

A fire door is beneficial during an emergency because it helps restrict the movement of flames from spreading into other rooms within a structure. When exposed to heat or flame, they last for a set duration, allowing inhabitants more time to escape and firefighters enough time to arrive and control the situation. Also, Smoke can be more deadly than the actual flames, so reducing the spread of smoke reduces damage and saves lives.

Legal requirements for landlords

Homeowners must take adequate fire safety precautions at all times. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires business owners, including landlords, to take reasonable steps to secure their tenants’ lives during emergencies like fires. This includes ensuring adequate means of escape, suitable fire detection and warning systems, and appropriate firefighting equipment.

A basic check for landlords

This is a fundamental inspection that every landlord could undertake to ascertain whether their fire doors are in good working order:

  • Proof of Certification: Fire Door schemes certify these types of doors. Look out for a label or certificate on either the frame or door bearing a unique number identifying it alongside evidence that testing has been done and passed successfully under relevant standards.
  • Gaps check: The gap around the door edges should be no more than four millimetres. Use a ruler or a gap-measuring tool to check if it is too big for smoke.
  • Check if the seals are still functional: Check the intumescent seals on the edges of the door; these expand whenever there is extensive heat, thereby blocking the gaps and restraining the movement of fire and smoke. Ensure that none of the seals are spoilt or broken, and there are no gaps, missing parts, or painted over.
  • Hinge examination: It must contain not less than three fire-rated door hinges that support its weight. Ensure that they are tight and intact in their respective places with all screws in place.
  • The Closing Mechanism Inspection: A self-closing fire door should fully close against its frame. Check whether it sticks, slams, and latches when closing correctly with no leftover parts.
  • Record Your Findings: Document your checks to show your due diligence and evidence that they have been conducted. You may be asked to show proof of checks following a fire or if they are inspected by either the Local Authority or the Fire Authority.

If you do not know whether your fire doors meet these standards, you can always seek advice from a professional such as Fire Safety & Compliance Ltd.  Contact us today if you need assistance with these checks.

Conclusion

Landlords must ensure that their properties comply with the regulations imposed upon them by having fire doors in appropriate areas up to code. After a basic check, landlords can ensure that their fire doors work properly and meet safety standards.

Contact Fire Safety Compliance for expert fire safety services, ensuring your business meets all regulatory standards and requirements.