Fire doors and fire extinguishers are essential for helping to maintain fire safety. Not only do fire doors help to prevent the spread of fire across buildings, but fire extinguishers are vital tools for suppressing fires before they escalate. Together, they can provide valuable time for emergency services and for people trying to escape a fire.
It is your responsibility to ensure that fire doors and fire extinguishers are properly maintained. Both should be checked regularly to make sure they remain safe and functional as part of your fire safety strategy.
How often should fire doors and fire extinguishers be checked? And what are your legal responsibilities? Learn more from the experts at phs Compliance.
Fire doors help provide additional protection in the event of a fire. They are designed to withstand fire for 30 minutes, which can be vital in helping people either escape a fire or for the emergency services to respond and put the fire out. Fire doors prevent flames from entering multiple rooms, which could help reduce the overall damage caused to a building.
Meanwhile, fire extinguishers are often the first line of defence against small fires. They allow trained individuals to suppress a fire quickly, preventing it from spreading and causing significant damage or injury. Having the correct type of extinguisher for potential fire hazards in your building is a legal requirement and a critical part of your fire safety measures.
The UK has some strict regulations when it comes to fire safety. The UK Government says that if you are either:
Then you are the designated ‘responsible person’ to ensure fire safety. This responsibility includes ‘putting in place, and maintaining, appropriate fire safety measures,’ such as ensuring the correct placement and maintenance of fire doors and fire extinguishers.
According to UK fire safety law, all workplaces must:
Recent updates to legislation following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have included stricter guidance for fire safety in high-risk residential buildings, further emphasising the importance of routine checks and compliance.
There is further guidance available for specific regions in the UK:
Regular inspections of both fire doors and fire extinguishers are vital for maintaining health and safety. These checks ensure that safety equipment is fully functional and compliant with legal requirements.
Most fire doors are used regularly, such as entry doors, office doors, and doors connecting different parts of the building. Frequent use can lead to wear and tear, which may compromise their effectiveness in a fire.
If there are signs of damage or something isn’t functioning as it should, further inspection is required and should be carried out by a professional.
Fire extinguishers also require regular checks to ensure they are in working order:
Landlords and employers should ensure regular inspections for both fire doors and fire extinguishers. While quarterly checks are required for fire doors in multi-occupancy buildings over 11 metres, fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and professionally serviced annually.
Keeping accurate records of inspections and servicing is crucial for compliance with UK legislation. These records serve as proof of compliance in the event of an audit or legal inquiry.
Maintaining fire safety is an important responsibility, and many businesses and organisations choose to use experienced fire safety professionals to carry out fire door and fire extinguisher inspections on their behalf.
Using a professional service ensures that:
Using a professional fire safety inspection service can help ensure your fire doors are carefully inspected, while also ensuring your fire detection and alarm systems are all in working order.
phs Compliance provides a range of fire and security maintenance services to help businesses meet their fire safety obligations.
As one of the UK’s leading compliance experts, phs Compliance offers trusted, professional services that ensure your business meets its fire safety obligations. From fire doors to fire extinguishers, we provide tailored solutions to protect your premises and the people within them.
Stay compliant and protect your business with phs Compliance. Contact us today to discuss your fire safety needs, and let us help you maintain effective workplace health and safety.
0333 0050456 or info@phscompliance.co.uk
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