Safety should be top of the agenda every day, but even more so during Fire Door Safety Week. We’re supporting this year’s campaign (20th – 26th September) by sharing a little bit more insight into fire doors and why you might need them installed in your home.
Who needs fire doors?
Fire door requirements ultimately change depending on the type of property you are working on; you should enlist the help of an architect or professional who will be able to help advise. However, the following regulations typically apply to most regular builds or renovations:
Two-storey homes which have a door leading from an integral garage into the house require a fire door.
New build or renovated homes of three or more storeys, including loft conversions, must have fire doors to every habitable room off the stairwell (excluding bathrooms and toilets).
What do they do?
Fire doors are specifically designed to withstand fire and allow everyone enough time to escape safely. They protect escape routes by containing fire outbreaks and toxic smoke.
You will likely come across FD30, FD30S, FD60 fire doors most commonly. This basically tells you how long the door is fire resistant and in some cases fire and smoke resistant. ‘FD’ stands for fire door and the number relates to the minutes of fire resistance, while ‘S’ indicates that the door is also smoke sealed.
FD30 or FD30S fire doors are suitable in most cases, as occupants have plenty of time to evacuate unharmed; FD60 fire doors are normally only required for large buildings where lots of people need to evacuate safely.
Things to remember
Don't install fire doors yourself – the components and seals are as important as the door itself and wrongly fitted will mean they won’t work effectively.
You can’t “convert” a normal door into a fire door - they are constructed from materials designed to resist fire for a certain amount of time - get professional advice to buy the right door.
Don’t alter fire doors - get doors specifically measured, don't trim down the wood as the door can become illegal if it is altered.
Never leave a fire door wedged open.
Know where your fire doors are and plan an escape route to safely exit the building in the event of a fire.
Steps to reduce the risk of a fire in your home
Install smoke alarms and test them once a week.
Heat alarms and sprinklers can also be installed.
Keep fire extinguishers and fire blankets accessible.
Close all doors at night to help prevent the spread of fire.
Keep exits from your home clear.
Keep keys to windows and doors in easy reach.
Keep communal areas, corridors and staircases clear of large items (such as prams, bikes, or large plant pots) - as these could get in the way of people leaving the building and fuel a fire.
Don't leave children alone in the kitchen - over half of fires at home happen while cooking.
Don't leave candles unattended when lit.
Don't smoke in bed.
Don't overload electrical sockets.
Switch off and unplug your TV and other electrical goods - leaving them on standby could cause a fire.
We provide a wide range of quality, oak veneered timber fire doors, designed to complement your home and keep you safe. All our doors come with a 10-year guarantee, or 25 years for Suffolk and Palermo designs. To find out more, talk to our expert team on 01962 712299 or email web-enq@multiturn.co.uk.