Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is supporting National Fire Door Safety Week (25 Sep – 1 Oct) to promote the important fire safety message of fire doors save lives and property.
Mark Earwicker, Head of Technical Fire Safety, said:
“Fire doors are proven to reduce the risk of fires spreading and increase the chance of people evacuating a building quickly and safely. They provide critical protection inside buildings and especially in escape routes (stairs and corridors) in high-rise properties. But fire doors can only offer this protection if they are working correctly and are not propped open. Our priority is to keep everyone safe and well. We offer free home safety visits to all residents in Essex, and also visit commercial buildings to advise on how businesses can reduce the risk of fire and ensure staff safety.”
Fire doors
Important information about fire doors:
- They are typically designed to withstand fire for up to 30 minutes
- They are a legal requirement for flats which open onto communal areas shared with other tenants. This is to make sure crucial escape routes are protected if a fire breaks out.
- They are designed to automatically close behind you in the event of fire, holding flames back and stopping the spread of the fire and toxic smoke into escape routes, corridors and other flats in the block
If you live in a purpose built block of flats and are unsure whether your flat front door or doors which open onto communal areas meet the correct fire door safety standards contact your landlord.
