Thursday 6th November 2014

Fire safety company Safelincs operates a website called firescout that invites visitors to submit photographs of any potentially dangerous situations they have spotted. All entries are anonymous, the idea being to educate rather than ‘name and shame’. Safelincs then offers advice as to whether the situation could incur a fine and how much, if anything, it would cost to remedy the situation.
A common misdemeanour is to prop open a fire door, sometimes with a fire extinguisher – a double transgression!

Fire doors are an essential part of the fabric of a building and have two important functions in the event of a fire; when closed they form a barrier to stop the spread of fire or smoke and when opened they provide a means of escape. They are designed to be kept closed except when people are passing through them. In some businesses, and in places such as care homes or schools, closed fire doors can act as a hindrance to general mobility and moving around to perform essential tasks. However, there is a way in which the situation can be overcome without compromising safety or breaking the law.

Safelincs provide a number of products manufactured by specialist manufacturer Fireco which allow fire doors to be kept open legally and safely. Each of these products works by responding to the sound (anything above 65 decibels) of a fire alarm; the mechanism holding the door open is released and the door closer on the fire door closes it to prevent the spread of fire and smoke spreading around the building.

Dorgard, the first innovative product from Fireco, is a wireless appliance that can be screwed to the base of a door in less than five minutes. The standalone device will then hold the door open at any angle allowing freedom of access throughout the building. Utilising acoustic technology, Dorgard ‘listens’ for a continuous alarm of 65dBA or higher which, once heard, will automatically release the door. Dorgard is available in a variety of colours and finishes which will blend in with any décor.

Fireco also produces the Dorgard Pro System which extends the versatility of Dorgard by linking several different devices and overcomes the issue of noisy workplaces. A transmitter is wirelessly installed next to a fire alarm sounder or hardwired into the fire alarm system. In the event of a fire, Dorgard Pro will wirelessly transmit simultaneously to multiple Dorgard Pro units within a 100 metre range. Safelincs will visit an organisation’s premises and undertake a free survey and make recommendations for siting an effective system.

Another product from Fireco is Freedor, a unique wire free solution that allows a door to free-swing just like a normal door and to be held open at any angle – automatically closing the door in a controlled manner when a fire alarm sounds. It utilises the same technology that is employed in Dorgard but is fixed unobtrusively to the top of the door. Using Freedor allows freedom of access throughout the building for disabled people and people less able to operate the doors, and assists businesses complying with the Equality Act 2010.

All these products have applications in a wide variety of environments and allow easy movement through a building without compromising safety or contravening fire safety regulations.

To find out more about the Fireco range go to www.safelincs.co.uk and follow the link to Fire Door and Exit Equipment or call 0800 433 4289 where there are friendly experts on hand to offer advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is it acceptable to hold a fire door open?

Fire doors should generally remain closed to perform their essential fire safety function. However, it becomes acceptable to hold a fire door open when you use approved fire door holding devices like the Dorgard or Freedor systems. These specialised devices automatically release the door when a fire alarm sounds, allowing the door to close and perform its fire containment function. Without such devices, manually holding or propping open fire doors is not acceptable and may violate fire safety regulations.

What is the purpose of a fire door holder?

The purpose of a fire door holder is to safely keep fire doors open during normal use while ensuring they close automatically during emergencies. Fire door holders like those manufactured by Fireco allow freedom of movement throughout buildings, which is especially beneficial in environments like care homes, schools and businesses where closed doors can hinder mobility and ventilation. These holders respond to fire alarms by immediately releasing the door, allowing the door’s closer mechanism to shut it and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Should fire doors be left open?

No, fire doors should not be left open without proper safety mechanisms in place. Fire doors are designed to form barriers that prevent the spread of fire and smoke when closed, and they should only be open temporarily when people pass through them. If operational needs require doors to remain open, you must use approved devices such as Dorgard or Freedor that automatically close the door when a fire alarm sounds. Manually propping or wedging fire doors open is unsafe and could result in prosecution.

When is it acceptable to open a fire door?

It is acceptable to open a fire door when you need to pass through it or when using approved fire door holding devices. Fire doors are designed to allow passage while normally remaining closed. You can temporarily open fire doors manually when moving through the doorway, but they should be fitted with a fire door closer to shut them immediately after use, unless fitted with proper holding devices. If you need to keep a fire door open for operational reasons, you must use approved acoustic or electromagnetic devices that release automatically during fire alarms.

When can you hold a fire door open?

You can hold a fire door open only when using approved fire door holding devices that automatically release upon hearing a fire alarm. Products like Dorgard can be installed at the base of a door in minutes and hold the door open at any angle, releasing it when detecting an alarm of 65dBA or higher. For noisier environments, systems like Dorgard Pro use wireless transmitters connected to fire alarm systems to ensure reliable door closure. Without such approved devices, holding fire doors open with wedges, extinguishers or other objects is unsafe and against regulations.

When is it acceptable to go through a closed fire door?

It is acceptable to go through a closed fire door whenever you need to move between areas of a building during normal operations. Fire doors are specifically designed to allow passage while maintaining fire safety when closed. You should ensure the door closes properly behind you after passing through unless the door is equipped with an approved holding device. During emergencies, fire doors also serve as crucial escape routes, making it not only acceptable but potentially life-saving to go through closed fire doors when evacuating a building.

What is the fine for wedging fire doors open?

The fine for wedging fire doors open can be substantial, as this practice violates fire safety regulations. While the specific fine amount varies based on severity and jurisdiction, business owners and building managers can face significant penalties during fire safety inspections if doors are found improperly propped open. Rather than risking these fines, you should consider installing approved fire door holding devices from Safelincs, such as the Fireco range, which allows doors to be held open legally and safely. These solutions cost significantly less than potential fines and provide peace of mind that you’re compliant with regulations.

Is propping open fire doors allowed?

Propping open fire doors is not allowed unless you’re using approved fire door holding devices. The common misdemeanour of propping doors open with objects like fire extinguishers creates a serious safety hazard and violates fire safety regulations. Fire doors are essential building components designed to contain fire and smoke when closed. If you need to keep fire doors open for operational reasons, you should use authorised products like Dorgard or Freedor that automatically release the door when a fire alarm sounds, ensuring the door can perform its vital safety function during emergencies.

What are the fire door regulations for domestic properties and commercial buildings in the UK?

Fire door regulations for domestic properties and commercial buildings in the UK require that fire doors remain closed except when people are passing through them. In commercial settings, fire doors must have appropriate fire resistance ratings and self-closing mechanisms. You must ensure fire doors are not wedged or propped open unless fitted with approved holding devices that release automatically when fire alarms sound. For domestic properties with internal fire doors, similar principles apply, though requirements may vary depending on the building’s design. Both settings require regular inspection and maintenance of fire doors to ensure they function correctly during emergencies.

What type of fire spread can occur if fire doors are propped or wedged open?

If fire doors are propped or wedged open, backdraft conditions can develop, creating an extremely dangerous type of fire spread. When fire doors remain open, oxygen flows freely to the fire, and hot gases and smoke can rapidly spread throughout a building. This situation can lead to backdraft – a phenomenon where a fire smouldering in an oxygen-depleted area suddenly receives a rush of oxygen, causing an explosive ignition. You significantly increase the risk of backdraft and other rapid fire spread scenarios when compromising fire doors by keeping them propped open. Proper fire door holders from Safelincs provide a safe alternative that maintains safety while allowing convenient access.