An Effective Fire Safety Strategy Relies On Quality Equipment!

Fire doors play a critical role in a buildings fire safety strategy, protecting lives and property in the event of a fire breaking out in any part of the building. When correctly fitted and maintained, a fire door will provide critical protection to inhabitants of the building, by preventing the rapid spread of smoke and flames; giving people sufficient time to navigate escape routes  and exit the building unharmed.

Saving Lives

In order to protect lives and property, a fire door must be a high quality item, manufactured according to the correct standards, and of course, the correct installation of this engineered safety device and all associated components is critical in terms of efficiency.

Any errors in the installation process could significantly reduce the performance of your safety equipment, which could mean the difference between one hour’s fire resistance for a correctly installed unit and just ten minutes resistance for a unit that has not been installed, or maintained correctly.

Experienced professionals should be hired to fit fire safety equipment, as reduced performance could literally mean the difference between life and death. Prioritising the best quality equipment and installation will give you peace of mind that the unit will perform in exactly the way it should, in the unfortunate event of a fire breaking out.

Some crucial fire door ‘dos and don’ts’...

NEVER:

• Compromise on quality in terms of the equipment you purchase, its installation and maintenance

• Reduce the efficiency of a unit by making adaptions
• Prop or wedge open a fire door
• Disconnect the door closing mechanism

A surprising number of people make the mistake of propping a fire door open with a heavy object, (often a fire extinguisher) then forget to close it safely again. With the door wide open, this essential safety feature is rendered completely useless. A fire may seem unlikely, but if the worst should happen, there will be no warning and a rapid spreading fire has the potential to trap people inside the building, causing significant risk to life and limb – not to mention the property and its contents.

ALWAYS:

• Purchase your safety equipment from a reputable, certified company
• Ensure that the certification of each unit, or component is fit for its intended use
• Schedule periodic maintenance checks to make sure that the fire door and all of its components are in excellent condition

Each component plays a key role in the performance of this safety unit. Numerous issues such as; over painting of the door or frame, excessive gaps between the door and frame, general wear and tear and hinge damage could significantly reduce the efficiency of a fire door’s performance in the event of a fire.

Keep Your Fire Doors Open - The Safe Way

Self-closing door devices are there to ensure that a fire door closes efficiently for optimum safety, but the occupants of a building do not always appreciate this feature and it is common for people to prop doors open, seeking fresh air or making it easier to carry items in and out of an area.

Fitting a quality fire door retainer or hold open door closer, will allow you to get around this issue without any compromise to safety. These devices are designed to hold open your fire door, giving you improved access and convenience, however they are triggered by the sound of the fire alarm and close promptly, preventing the spread of smoke and fire. These devices are incredibly cost effective and efficient. Click here to view some of the great options that are available!