There are extensive requirements set out in UK law that your fire doors must meet to be legally compliant. These requirements vary between domestic and commercial properties, which is what we’re going to explore today. Find out more about the fire door regulations in commercial buildings and why they’re so important.

Why Do Fire Door Regulations In Commercial Buildings Matter?

Fire doors are an integral element in your building’s fire protection system. They play the crucial role of compartmentalising the building, slowing the spread of fire and smoke during an emergency and ensuring that escape routes remain protected for as long as possible. If fire doors aren’t compliant with regulations, they aren’t going to perform when you need them to. This places lives and property at significant risk.

In the UK, compliant fire doors are a legal requirement in commercial properties, per the instructions set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Responsible Person for the property must ensure that fire doors are both installed and regularly maintained.

What Are The Fire Door Regulations For Commercial Buildings?

In order to make sure that they are in full working order, UK law requires all fire doors to comply with all instructions in the Fire Safety Order 2005. For a commercial property, this means the following:

• Fire doors need to be manufactured by a certified manufacturer that confirms the doors have been tested by a recognised authority.
• Fire doors need to be installed following the manufacturer’s instructions exactly and fully in accordance with British Standards (BS 476 and BS EN 1634).
• Fire doors need to be regularly inspected by a certified professional approximately every six months to make sure any damage or faults are caught.
• Clear signage needs to be put up to help users identify and operate them correctly.

The appropriate location of fire doors will depend on the layout of your commercial building and its compartments. These areas will be identified in the compartment plans for your building or a subsequent compartmentation survey in the absence of these plans. The way in which your building is used will also play a significant role in the appropriate fire door provisions. Therefore, you should always seek advice from a qualified fire door professional who can carry out a comprehensive fire door survey and advise on the next steps and strategies relevant to your exact requirements. 

Keep Your Fire Doors Compliant With Professional Support From WGP

With over a decade of experience in surveying, installing and maintaining fire doors, WGP Maintenance is the ideal partner to help you keep your fire doors maintained and fully compliant with all regulations. 

Our extensive experience and BM Trada Q-Mark accreditation ensure that we’re accurate, cost-effective and efficient with both time and resources. To find out more, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today.