A fire is something that everybody dreads, especially those within a business, and so it is vital to take as many measures as possible to prevent and contain them. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most effective is through the installation of fire doors.

We have all seen them in different environments, but do you know if they are mandatory for your business? In this article, Fire Door Specialists take a look at the role of fire doors and the places in which they must be found.

What are fire doors?

Fire doors are essential safety devices that are used to help prevent a fire or smoke from spreading through a building. These doors are made from high-grade fire-resistant components to ensue that when a fire does start, it is kept within one area, or that its progress elsewhere has been significantly delayed in order to give people safe passage out. It is therefore a vital element of any fire safety plans and can play a huge role in saving lives.

Fire door regulations

Although fire doors are very effective, they are not mandatory in every type of building or even in every part of the UK, so it is important to understand whether your business needs them or not. Most fire doors are FD30 or FD60, and the number represents the number of minutes of fire prevention each type of door is able to offer.

The ‘responsible person’ within a business will be required to carry out fire risk assessments which can highlight any risks and check where fire doors should be located and whether they are to the correct specifications.

Commercial or public buildings

Any new buildings need to be constructed in line with the standards contained in the Building Regulations Approved Documents. Fire doors must be installed in all properties that are used for non-domestic purposes and should be positioned so that they can form a clear horizontal or vertical escape route throughout the building. These buildings can include businesses, factories, commercial properties and public buildings.

Mixed use buildings

Where commercial and domestic use is combined, such as when a flat is located above a shop, fire doors are required, and these should be located between the residential and commercial spaces.

Multiple occupancy dwellings

In the case of a block of flats, where a number of different people can live, or in houses of multiple occupation (HMO), there must be a fire door at the entrance of any communal areas. If a flat is 4.5 metres above ground level, it needs to have fire doors fitted between habitable rooms and as the front door. A fire door also needs to be in place of a front door for ground floor flats if it opens into a communal area.

Domestic buildings over three storeys

If a domestic dwelling has three storeys or more, then it must also have fire doors installed. This should be between habitable rooms and in stairwells. Internal garages and converted loft spaces should also have a fire door installed as entryways to the house.

It is important to remember that failing to adhere to any of these regulations can not only have disastrous consequences for anyone within your building when a fire breaks out, but also can mean that the building owner is personally liable for those consequences.

This can lead to them facing criminal prosecution, which can result in huge fines or even imprisonment.

It should be remembered that England & Wales may have different rules compared to Scotland or Northern Ireland, so you should always double check what your local requirements are.