Fire Door Regulations – For New & Existing Buildings
In our latest article on commercial fire doors we’re providing a brief introduction to the various regulations that apply.
We’ve often discussed the importance of fire doors, including the absolute necessity to have them fitted and maintained correctly according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. We’ve also stressed that regulations exist to guide us and ensure that we’re doing things correctly.
Let’s now take a look at these regulations, and provide you with some important links for future reference.
Fire Doors For New Buildings
For NEW buildings, or buildings which are subject to significant alterations, extensions, or changes of use, the appropriate building regulations apply for fire doors. These regulations are known as APPROVED DOCUMENTS.
These approved documents are designed to ensure that minimum standards are met for construction in the UK, and cover areas such as accessibility, ventilation, sound and thermal efficiency as well, of course, as fire safety.
Note that in addition to these building regulations the fire doors may also have to comply with various other criteria such as BREEAM and CPET.
Speak to your fire door supplier about all of these regulations and requirements for expert advice.
Fire Doors For Existing Buildings
These are governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, often abbreviated to RRO or FSO.
Start by visiting this site: Making your premises safe from fire
This reform stipulates that the “responsible person” must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and then design and supervise the operation of a fire management plan.
Fire doors, of course, play a crucial role in the fire safety and protection of buildings covered by the FSO, and as we have repeated it is VITAL that they are fitted and maintained correctly.
Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations (England and Wales)
Also be aware of this regulation, which links the Building Regulations to the RRO for those buildings where the RRO applies. Essentially, it stipulates that fire safety information should be provided to the “responsible person” at the completion of a project (or when the building is first occupied).
The information provided should include all fire safety design measures in appropriate detail and with sufficient accuracy to assist the responsible person in operating and maintaining the building safely, including the fire doors.
The contractor is responsible for handing over this information to the client or their appointed representative, and this could vary considerably according to the nature of the building or contract. Typical recipients are likely to be a Health and Safety or Environmental Health Officer , client’s surveyor or architect, or building project manager responsible for the final sign-off of the building contract.
In turn, the client should then provide the relevant information to the “responsible person”.
Fact sheets
You may find these helpful too:
Fire doors and the Building Regulations
Fire doors and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order
We’re here to help
Here at Enfield Doors we have been manufacturing and installing commercial fire doors for many years – and we can give you expert advice and guide you through all of the regulations and complications that you need to be aware of.
If you would like further information on our company please visit our home page or go directly to our contact page when we will respond as quickly as possible. As always we’ll be delighted to help and advise you.
