Karen Trigg, business development manager, South East at Allegion UK, explains the mandatory fire door ('regulation 10') checks introduced for multi-occupied residential buildings by The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
In recent years, both high-rise and high-risk building environments have been the subject of much industry focus. Where Grenfell was a catalyst for change, the incremental introduction of new reforms (such as the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Bill) - alongside major Government funding schemes - have since been key in raising fire safety standards across the board.
But while significant steps have been made in a number of areas, professionals can't afford to now stand still. Only recently, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were forced to evacuate a block of flats deemed to be a fire safety risk, of which tenants cited a lack of communication concerning the building's fire safety. Evidently, these are not isolated incidents, and there is still work to be done.
[I]f a fire door isn’t operating as intended, or there is any ambiguity in regard to hardware classifications and reliability, it’s imperative to seek out professional advice and ensure maintenance is carried out both quickly and professionally.
But while significant steps have been made in a number of areas, professionals can’t afford to now stand still.
Only recently, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were forced to evacuate a block of flats deemed to be a fire safety risk, of which tenants cited a lack of communication concerning the building’s fire safety.
On the 23rd of January 2023, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, made it a legal requirement under regulation 10 for responsible persons of all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to:
In fact, many multi-occupied building environments have been exposed for falling short in fire safety situations.
While it’s true that the complexity and scale of high-risk settings present unique fire safety challenges, responsible parties must endeavour to address them, focusing on all components of fire protection in the process.
These essential updates derive from the recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1 report) and, among others detailed under The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, are designed to improve fire safety standards in high-rise, high-risk residential buildings. Under UK legislation, all revisions must now be followed closely, with responsible persons expected to alter their approach to fire door safety in response to the framework.
Introducing Regulation 10
On the 23rd of January 2023, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, made it a legal requirement under regulation 10 for responsible persons of all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to:
In addition, the updated regulations state responsible persons must provide residents with relevant fire safety instructions and detailed information relating to the importance of operational fire doors in regard to the building’s fire safety systems.
Last year, after an increase in demand for fire door inspections, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme revealed three quarters of fire doors inspected in the UK did not meet the required standard. Furthermore, prior to the Fire Safety Act 2021, flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings may not have been considered as part of fire risk assessments.
Today, there is a greater impetus on providing detailed checks on fire doors and their hardware as fundamental components of passive fire protection. The newly proposed quarterly checks of fire doors - as well as the annual checks on flat entrance doors and self-closing devices - will ensure the standards of inspected fire doors rise, with responsible persons pushed to systematically inspect the key elements of all doorsets moving forward, including the certification, gaps, seals, hinges and closing elements.
Educating and Evaluating
For decision makers overseeing fire door safety in high-risk residential buildings, in relation to Regulation 10, there are perhaps two key takeaways:
Last year, after an increase in demand for fire door inspections, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme revealed three quarters of fire doors inspected in the UK did not meet the required standard.
Furthermore, prior to the Fire Safety Act 2021, flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings may not have been considered as part of fire risk assessments.
Today, there is a greater impetus on providing detailed checks on fire doors and their hardware as fundamental components of passive fire protection.
The newly proposed quarterly checks of fire doors - as well as the annual checks on flat entrance doors and self-closing devices - will ensure the standards of inspected fire doors rise, with responsible persons pushed to systematically inspect the key elements of all doorsets moving forward, including the certification, gaps, seals, hinges and closing elements.
The full Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 document can be viewed at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022
Furthermore, to remain compliant, all dedicated fire doors must be fitted with a certified fire door closer (a minimum power size of EN3 is required to conform to the EN 1154 standard) as a fire door will only do its job to contain a fire and smoke if it is closed.
In doing so, we may well be moving towards a brighter, safer future for high-risk environments.
The full Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 document can be viewed at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022
Sources
In multi-occupied building environments, residents are also encouraged to raise concerns if fire doors are not operating as they should.
