Commercial fire door sets can keep your people safe and your building compliant. And as we’ll explore, the true cost of not fitting fire doors could be unthinkable.
What is a commercial fire door set?
Commercial fire door sets act as a barrier which can delay the spread of smoke, heat and fire during an emergency. A properly installed fire set helps to restrict a fire to one area of a building, creating a safe exit and limiting the damage and danger to life.
While commercial fire-rated door sets are primarily about safety, they’re available in a range of flexible and attractive designs, such as wood and fire-resistant glass, and can have a decorative finish.
What are the commercial fire door regulations?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, sometimes referred to as the Fire Safety Order, applies to almost all buildings outside of domestic homes.
In particular, Regulation 38 states that checks should be undertaken on all fire door sets by a competent person every six months. For fire door sets that are frequently used, this requirement is even stricter – every three months.
Legally, your commercial fire door sets must be designed, manufactured and fitted to the correct British Standards.
If you are an employer or business owner, or you own, run or manage a commercial building, you are legally recognised as a Responsible Person within your property. You may designate an employee as a Responsible Person, but must ensure this person is fully trained and given appropriate time to carry out their fire safety duties.
These responsibilities include arranging a Fire Risk Assessment, that in turn includes the inspection of commercial fire door sets. Key information must be recorded, such as the time, date and inspection results.
Commercial fire door set features
Your commercial fire door sets must work correctly, meaning a number of essential features should be in good working order. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Fire door hinges. Hinges are an important component in a commercial fire door set. Worn and defective hinges affect the closing action and create larger gaps between the door edge and frame, rendering the cold smoke seals and intumescent strips ineffective.
- A closing device. Fire door closers are designed to close automatically to prevent a fire spreading. This is a crucial example of passive fire protection.
- Fire door seals. The edge of your commercial fire door sets should be fitted with intumescent strips and smoke seals, which stop the spread of smoke, noxious gases and flames early.
- Signage. Fire door set signage must be compliant and clearly displayed. This informs staff and operatives that the door set is a life saving product. Your fire door set is a vital component in your Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan, and should be regularly inspected.
How much do commercial fire doors cost?
The cost of fitting fire door sets depends on factors like your building’s compliance requirements, the number of doors at your premises and the type of material used.
At Commercial Fire Protection we pride ourselves on offering cost-effective fire door fitting, and if you have any questions about pricing, we’d love to chat. Our BM Trada Q-Mark certified team can install and maintain door sets with a range of fire resistant ratings. Call 0800 059 0113 or drop us an email at hello@commercialfireprotection.co.uk.
