Fire doors and shutters are always out of sight and out of mind. They become essential when a record of inspection is requested by the fire officer or a shutter is obstructing a door during an emergency. Most of the following information is based on one question. Is the fire door or shutter equipped to protect an exit during a fire, and is there proof to support it?
Who is Responsible?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the individual in charge of a premises is liable. For businesses, that is the employer. The Order mandates that fire doors, shutters, and curtains remain serviceable. The Order does not determine frequency of service, which is usually determined by British Standards and a fire risk assessment. The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, determines the same duties as the Order.
Additional Considerations for Flats
On 23 January 2023 the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 became law. The regulations mandate an individual responsible for a building with 11 or more stories, to ensure communal fire doors are inspected every 3 months and flat entrance fire doors are inspected every 12 months. The mandated inspections are for serviceability and condition. These requirements apply only in England.
How regularly?
BS 9999 states that the inspection of fire doors for buildings of common use and Means of Escape, including fire exits, should not be more than 6 months. Fusible link shutters consist of a curtain of fabric or other non-combustible material which is closed by the action of heat, drop assemblies or motors. The curtain is closed by the action of heat. A cursory check of the system should be made on a weekly basis at no cost. More thorough checks should be made on a six monthly basis by an engineer. As stated before the frequency of the checks should be determined by the fire risk assessment.
Types of Shutters
Shutters are pieces of steel which are slatted, and when closed, obstruct an opening. Shutters are an effective way to protect an opening to a building. If a shutter would obstruct an open space, a curtain which consists of a fabric material could be used to block an opening and protect it from fire. BS 8524 gives the standards for the testing of fire curtains. BS 9999 states fire curtains should be used in conjunction with a fire strategy for a building.
The paperwork
Every time we perform a check, we write down the date, the findings and any action taken. We also include the names of the individuals involved. A record of adjustments made to closers or repairs made to shutters is kept. Evidence of remedial action taken to address Fire and Rescue Service concerns is logged. Without such evidence, a claim that “we checked it” or “we addressed it” would be of little value to the Fire Service.
Wedges, Hooks and Propped Doors
Fire doors are frequently blocked by wedges or other objects. Doors are heavy and staff may find it more convenient to leave a door blocked open rather than propped, but a door left blocked open should be addressed. An example of this is the use of a hold-open device. Similar concerns may exist with automatic shutter installations, in which case a drop zone should be kept clear.
What this section tells you
How regularly fire shutters should be tested.
The frequency of fire door inspections.
The pros and cons of fire shutters vs. fire curtains.
The use of fire roller shutters in various industries.
The person responsible for a premises/building.
Fire shutter services.
Use and maintenance of fire shutter log books.
Fire safety information pertaining to places of business.
The need for fire doors in homes.
If the structure has undergone significant changes since the last fire risk assessment, the information pertaining to doors and shutters in those assessments is out-of-date.
