Every building owner, with the exception of domestic housing, is required by law to undertake an annual fire risk assessment. The assessment should identify fire safety management processes, fire hazards, people at risk, mitigation measures and what action is to be taken in the event of fire.

REGULATORY
REFORM ORDER

Commonly referred to as the RRO, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into force in England & Wales on 1st October 2006. It applies to virtually all premises (other than people’s private homes) and covers every type of building, structure and open space. Compliance with the RRO is mandatory.

In the past, fire certificates were issued for buildings by the local fire brigade. These have no legal status anymore and the fire service is no longer involved in checking the fire safety of buildings.

A key change under the RRO is the fact that building owners, landlords, head teachers, estates managers and many other people now shoulder the legal responsibility for fire safety. They have to appoint a ‘Responsible Person’ who must ensure that an annual fire risk assessment is undertaken.

THE
‘RESPONSIBLE PERSON’

The designated ‘Responsible Person’ must make sure that the fire risk assessment is carried out annually to be legally compliant with the RRO.

This assessment has to demonstrate that adequate attention has been paid to all aspects of fire safety management; including active and passive fire measures; signage; means of escape and evacuation procedures. If the building owner/landlord has five or more employees or tenants, the fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing.

In a very large number of cases, this can mean that individuals relatively untrained in fire safety management are being expected to become experts very quickly in order to fulfil their responsibilities.
Where in-depth knowledge is lacking, the ‘Responsible Person’ has a duty to engage a ‘Competent Person’ with the relevant expertise to be able to implement or advise on key areas.

FIRE DOORS
ASSESSMENT

Fire doors are an essential part of a building’s passive fire protection, ensuring that the building is compartmentalised, helping to prevent the spread of fire whilst allowing occupants time to escape. It is therefore imperative that the condition of the fire doors is included as part of the fire risk assessment.

However, a fire door is not just the door leaf. It is a complete assembly of the door, frame, glazing, intumescent, smoke seals and ironmongery. How well all elements work in conjunction together will determine the effectiveness of the door in the event of fire. This can make the process of inspecting a fire door assembly complex and requires a proficient understanding of the relevant building regulations, British Standards and European Standards.

ARE YOUR
FIRE DOORS SAFE?

In a recent survey by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), 61% of doors inspected had intumescent or smoke seals either missing or faulty, whilst 34% had excessive gaps between the door and the frame. Both faults could prove fatal in the event of fire.

Building owners that fail to comply with the regulations can be prosecuted and fined or even serve a prison sentence. Recent prosecutions have been severe, even for seemingly trivial issues such as failing to fit fire seals and door closers or leaving fire doors wedged open.

To ensure peace of mind that your fire doors have been assessed competently, it is advisable to seek the advice of a qualified professional.

DOORVIEW FIRE DOOR INSPECTION SERVICE

As the UK’s leading Fire Door Inspection company, Doorview are ideally placed to assist you with the assessment of the fire doors on your building. Providing the complete service from initial meeting to ensuring legal compliance to the RRO, Doorview ensure peace of mind for the building owner.

FIRE DOOR
INSPECTION

Our fire door inspectors carry out a full and thorough inspection of every fire door assembly in your building, taking time to check that all components are in place and working effectively. On completion of the door inspection, a label is attached to each fire door recording the date of the inspection and demonstrating to the users of the building that the doors have been surveyed professionally.

All of our fire door inspectors are certified under Blue Sky Certification’s fire door inspection scheme. Having achieved the qualification from the third-party, UKAS accredited scheme, our inspectors are approved and qualified to carry out the risk assessment of your fire doors competently.

ASSESSMENT
REPORT

Following the completion of the on-site inspection, Doorview will document all of the information and translate it into an easy-to-read fire door assessment report. With a detailed inventory and photography of any defects, the written report assesses the condition and functionality of each fire door assembly and their components.

This report my be used by the designated ‘Responsible Person’ as part of regulatory requirements in a fire risk assessment of the building.

In addition, the report will also outline any measures that should be carried out to bring the doors in line withcurrent legislation. Requirements for any remedial work are also identified in the report.

POST REPORT
CONSULTATIONS

As part of our complete fire door inspection service, Doorview do not just issue the assessment report and leave you to fend for yourselves. We work closely with our clients to make the Fire Safety process as easy and convenient as possible.

We discuss the report with our clients and identify necessary action and the best process to successfully complete any works, providing a solution to any issues that may arise.

In addition, we also provide workshops for building managers and facilities departments on what to lookout for with fire doors and the best practice approach to fire door maintenance.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

On occasion, the building owner simply does not have the time or knowledge to run the project of upgrading or replacing doors. This project can be more challenging on older buildings where none of the original documentation such as the door schedule or floor plans exist.

Doorview can undertake the management of the project, producing budgets, tender documents, door schedules, specifications, scope of works and a delivery programme.

ACCREDITATIONS

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