Fire Doors are a critical safety feature of any building in which people work or visit, as they offer resistance to the spread of fire and smoke, limiting its effect whilst allowing enough time for occupants to evacuate to a place of safety.

With the responsibility for the fire safety of premises resting on building owners and managers, we thought we would highlight 5 key regulations you should be aware of and take into account during your next Fire safety review, we’ve also produced a handy eBook on maintaining fire doors which covers this legislation in more detail as well as some tips on protecting your fire doors. You can download that guide at the bottom of this page. Jump straight to the guide

#1

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO)

In October 2006 new legislation came into force putting the responsibility for the fire safety of properties under the control of building owners and managers. Under the RRFSO the “Responsible Person” for each premises is required to carry out an assessment of the risks from fire and then take steps to reduce or remove that risk. In order to comply a fire risk assessment must be completed together with providing an efficient and effective recording system to ensure that regular checks are made on fire prevention assets such as fire alarms and fire resisting doors, as well as providing training to staff and visitors of the building.

#2

BS 8214:2008 – Code of practice for fire door assemblies

BS 8214 offers recommendations for the specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors. According to BS 8214:2008, (Code of practice for Fire Door assemblies), Fire Doors need to provide a similar level of fire resistance as the fixed elements of a building (i.e. walls and floors) and are evaluated by the same stringent procedures and criteria. BS 8214:2008 also offers recommendations on fire door inspection schedules.

#3

BS 5839-1:2013 – Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises

BS 5839-1:2013 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around non-domestic buildings. In relation to fire doors, BS 5839 can apply to items such as Door Hold Open Devices, and is the standard by which such items are deemed to be effective.

#4

BS 9999:2009 – Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings

BS 9999:2008 is the fire safety code of practice for building design, management and use. BS 9999:2008 provides a risk-based structure that takes varying human factors into account, including improving emergency exit access for disabled people. The standard can be used in and around existing buildings, at design stage for new buildings or extensions, and also applies to alterations, extensions and changes of use of an existing building. It also provides an assessment tool to ensure fire safety strategy remains robust.

#5

Approved Document B – Volume 2: Fire safety – Buildings other than dwelling houses.

Detailed technical guidance from the planning authority detailing the necessary building requirements for a building to be compliant, in respect to fire safety.