As a building owner or developer, ensuring the safety of your commercial property and its occupants is of paramount importance. One crucial aspect of fire safety is the installation and maintenance of fire doors. These specialised doors are designed to contain the spread of fire and smoke, providing valuable time for people to evacuate the building safely.
We explore the requirements for fire doors in commercial buildings and the factors that influence their placement and specifications.
Fire doors are an essential component of any commercial building’s fire safety strategy. In the event of a fire, these doors act as barriers, preventing the rapid spread of flames and smoke throughout the property. By isolating the fire, these doors give occupants the time they need to escape and also help to minimise property damage.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO or FSO), building owners and managers are responsible for ensuring that fire doors are properly installed, maintained, and kept unobstructed. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and even imprisonment.
The specific requirements for fire doors in a commercial building depend on several factors, including:
The design and layout of your commercial property will significantly impact the placement and specifications of fire doors. The primary goal is to ensure that people can exit the building quickly and safely in the event of a fire.
Fire safety regulations are divided into separate sections for horizontal and vertical escape routes, which must be considered if your building has multiple floors.
The type of business conducted within the building will also influence fire door requirements. Some industries, such as manufacturing or storage of hazardous materials, may require additional fire safety measures and more stringent fire door specifications.
The length of time needed to evacuate the building will determine the fire resistance rating of the doors. The two most common fire door categories are FD30 (30 minutes of fire protection) and FD60 (60 minutes of fire protection).
In most cases, a 30-minute fire door is considered sufficient. However, depending on the size and complexity of the building, FD90 and FD120 doors (providing 90 and 120 minutes of fire protection, respectively) may be necessary.
In addition to proper placement and specifications, fire doors must also have the correct signage. Both sides of the door should clearly indicate that it is a fire door and provide any additional instructions, such as “keep closed.” The door’s appearance should also visually contrast with the surrounding wall to ensure that it is easily identifiable.
To ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, it’s essential to conduct regular and thorough Fire Risk Assessments (FRA). These assessments should be carried out by a qualified “responsible person” or an independent contractor. The FRA must evaluate the overall level of risk and identify any instances where fire protection measures, such as fire doors, have been neglected or misused.
The type and placement of fire doors in a commercial property will depend on the building’s layout and evacuation policy. There are two means of evacuation from commercial buildings – “horizontal” and “vertical” – which are determined by the number of people expected to evacuate and the time required to do so safely.
Fire doors play a critical role in ensuring the safety of commercial buildings and their occupants. As a building owner or developer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that fire doors are properly installed, maintained, and kept unobstructed.
At Bradbury Group, we understand the critical importance of fire safety in commercial buildings. Our range of fire doors is designed and manufactured to the highest standards, ensuring optimal performance in the event of a fire.
We offer a variety of fire door options with ratings from FD30 to FD240 to suit the specific needs of your commercial property. Our commitment to quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction ensures that your commercial building is equipped with the very best in fire safety technology.
Contact Bradbury Group today to discuss your fire safety requirements and learn more about how our range of fire doors can help you create a safer, more secure commercial property.
