Everything You Should Know About Fire Doors in Commercial Properties

Under current legislation fire doors inspections are a mandatory requirement in all forms of commercial  property. They play a pivotal role should a fire break out by helping contain the spread of fire and smoke to allow safe evacuation of the building. 

To ensure you continue to comply with fire safety regulations it is important to know what the key requirements of fire doors are.  In this blog post we will outline the main considerations and guidelines for fire doors in commercial settings. The aim of this is to help keep building owners and managers informed of their responsibilities around fire safety around Fire Doors in Commercial Properties. 

The Importance of  Fire Door Regulations

The fire safety regulations and codes for commercial buildings are very detailed and can be difficult to navigate . They are governed by regulatory bodies , including the fire safety standards board. It is essential to have a good understanding of what is required in order to ensure the necessary compliance. To help you do this we are going to take a look at current fire door regulations in more detail.  ltd specialise in providing fire doors that fully comply with these regulatory requirements . Ensuring that commercial buildings are equipped to maximise the safety of occupants 

What are the New Fire Door Regulations for 2024

The  new fire door regulations in England apply to all multi-occupied residential buildings that have a number of stories and are over 11 metres in height. The regulations state that fire doors in common areas should be inspected quarterly and entrances annually by a responsible person.  

In flats that are 4.5 metres above ground level there is a requirement to have fire doors between the hallway or stairwell and all habitable rooms. Any newly built single residences or home renovation that has three or more floors is required to have fire doors in living areas that open directly onto the main staircase. 

All fire doors have to be certified to withstand fire for a minimum specified period which is typically 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60). Which grade of door you need is usually dependent on what the building is used for and the level of fire risk.

For example, FD30 doors that are generally  used in low-rise residential buildings and offices are 45mm thick, whereas the  FD60 doors  used in high-rise and commercial buildings are 54mm thick.  In some cases, a greater fire integrity of up to 240 minutes (FD240) may be required. 

Companies or contractors that supply and install fire doors Door suppliers should provide clients with a test certificate that confirms that the fire door and any associated ironmongery or letter boxes fully comply with fire safety standards. These standards include: 

• BS476: Part 22 1987 (the British Standard) 
• BS EN 1634-1 2000 (the UK adoption of European standards) 
• BM TRADA Q-Mark scheme 
• BWF Certifire scheme

Why Proper Installation is Essential 

For a fire door in a commercial property to be fully effective it is essential that it is installed properly , and maintained on a regular basis . At Acuity we provide a professional installation service that ensures all fire doors in your building are fitted correctly and perform as they should do. We also provide regular maintenance and service visits , which allows us to identify any potential issues as soon as possible, to guarantee that the fire doors remain in prime working order 

What Additional Features do Fire Doors Have

As well as being fire resistant, commercial fire doors often have additional features . Examples of these are smoke seals, intumescent strips and door closers . These additional components improve the  overall effectiveness of fire doors . They help to prevent the spread of smoke ,and ensure the self -closing mechanism stays fully operational. At Acuity we offer clients fire door configurations tailored to their specific needs. This means that you will get fire doors in your commercial building that exactly match your requirements. 

Why it is important to Comply with Fire Regulations

In order to comply with the legislated safety standards and regulations, it is imperative  that a fire door is certified. At Acuity all our fire doors are fully certified and tested to meet these regulatory standards . This provides certainty to commercial property owners that the fire doors they invest in are of the highest safety and quality standards.

The importance of fire doors in providing fire safety to commercial buildings cannot be underestimated . A full understanding of all the requirements, regulations and considerations that accompany fire doors is paramount in maintaining a safe and industry compliant commercial building . The team here at Acuity are experts in the field of fire door safety, we pride ourselves on delivering quality fire doors backed up with a professional aftercare service. 

We fully support commercial buildings in ensuring they meet their specific fire safety needs . This combination of certified fire doors and expert guidance allows commercial establishments to improve fire safety . This in turn provides peace of mind  that the safety and protection of occupants and assets is as enhanced and efficient as it possibly can be  should a fire emergency occur. At Acuity Compliance ltd your safety is our priority . Contact us today to discuss fire door solutions for your commercial property .

Does a Commercial Kitchen Need a Fire Door

The simple answer to this question is yes they do, commercial kitchens are high-risk areas due to the presence of cooking equipment and flammable materials. Doors leading into and out of kitchens should be fire doors. This is so that  occupants will have a clear path of escape and fire will not prevent access to an emergency exit.