When it comes to fire safety, the smallest checks often make the biggest difference. This counts for every component of your fire safety systems, from the alarms and extinguishers to signage, emergency lighting, and fire doors.
Fire door maintenance may not be the most visible part of your fire safety strategy, but it’s one of the most important. These purpose-built doors are designed to hold back smoke and flames, protecting escape routes and giving occupants precious time to evacuate.
However, like any safety equipment, fire doors need regular care in order to function properly. Over time, even minor wear and tear can compromise their performance. That’s why consistent fire door maintenance isn’t just good practice – it’s a life-saving necessity.
Why Fire Door Maintenance Matters
Fire doors are under constant strain. They’re opened, closed, slammed, propped, and occasionally misused. Hinges wear out, seals degrade, and gaps can widen. These might seem like small issues, but in a real-life fire situation, they can cause the door to fail. This can turn what should be a protective barrier into a dangerous vulnerability.
That’s why routine maintenance is vital. It ensures that every fire door in your building continues to meet safety standards and performs as intended if the worst should happen.
What Can Go Wrong?
You don’t need a disaster to spot the signs of poor fire door maintenance.
A few common problems include:
- Worn or missing intumescent seals. These seals expand when exposed to heat and help block smoke and flames, but they won’t be effective if they’re damaged or missing.
- Faulty self-closers. A fire door must shut and latch automatically, otherwise it won’t be able to hold back a fire.
- Damaged hinges or hardware. Loose or broken components affect the door’s ability to stay securely in place under pressure.
- Large gaps around the door. Gaps larger than 4mm between the door and frame can allow smoke and hot gases to pass through.
- Propped open doors. A fire door left open is essentially useless during an emergency.
These may seem like small issues, but they add up to a serious risk. Spotting damage early is key – and that’s where good fire door maintenance plans really earn their keep.
What Should a Fire Door Maintenance Plan Include?
A robust fire door maintenance plan doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be thorough and consistent.
At a minimum, it should include the following:
- Regular visual inspections. A trained member of staff can check for common issues like seal damage, closing problems, or wear and tear.
- Scheduled professional inspections. Certified fire door specialists should inspect all fire doors at least every six to twelve months, depending on use and building type.
- Clear record-keeping. Every check should be logged, with notes on any work needed or carried out. This not only keeps you compliant but also helps track the condition of each door over time.
- Prompt repairs. If a problem is found, it must be fixed quickly. Delaying maintenance can lead to more serious faults, as well as a greater risk of failure in an emergency.
Training and Awareness
Everyone in the building should understand the importance of fire doors, and how they should be used and maintained. That means not propping them open or blocking them with clutter, as well as knowing how to spot potential issues and who to report faults to.
Providing basic training for staff or tenants can go a long way in supporting your overall maintenance efforts. Awareness helps ensure that problems don’t go unnoticed between inspections.
Small Checks Can Make A Huge Impact
To maintain your fire doors properly, you simply need a clear plan and a proactive approach. This doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or time-consuming. Checks are quick to carry out and most issues can be dealt with quickly before they become major problems.
Although you will need to set aside some budget for professional inspections, you’ll find that the cost of regular maintenance is actually tiny compared to the potential consequences of a failed fire door in an emergency.
