Do internal office doors need to be fire doors?
Do internal office doors need to be fire doors?
Office fire doors must be suitable not only in the type of door but also in their function as a door. Doors that are fitted badly may be difficult to open in the event of a fire preventing a means of escape for people on site and would be a breach of the regulations.
Do I need fire doors in my office?
Why do all commercial buildings need fire doors? Fire doors perform two vital functions in a fire: when closed they form a barrier to stop fire and smoke spreading; when opened they provide the occupants with a means of escape. Compromising either of these two key functions can land business owners in very hot water.
What are the legal requirements for fire doors?
What are the legal requirements for fire doors? Building Regulations specify that in homes over two storeys high, every door of a habitable room leading to a stairwell must be a fire door (this does not apply to toilets or bathrooms). Fire doors are also required between the house and integral garage (if applicable).
What building regulations cover fire doors?
In domestic dwellings above two levels, every door leading to the stairwell (at all levels) must be a fire door, where the door leads to a habitable room. Fire doors are also required in loft conversions; between house and integral garage; and between the business and residential elements in a mixed-use building.
Which fire doors can be held open at any time?
It is also against the law. The only safe way for fire doors to be held open is with special devices that release them to close automatically when the fire alarm is activated. When fire doors are wedged or propped open, businesses are at risk of fines, but more seriously, it puts people’s lives in danger.
How many fire exits do you need in an office?
The government recommends that you provide more than one fire exit from your premises whenever it’s possible. These exits should be completely independent of each other and have separate escape routes so there’s always a way to evacuate the building in an emergency.
Are fire door inspections a legal requirement?
Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO/FSO) makes it a legal requirement to ensure that fire resisting doors and escape doors are correctly installed and adequately maintained in order for them to be fit for purpose.
Should fire doors have a gap at the bottom?
Gaps between fire doors and the door frame should never be more than 4mm or less than 2mm. It’s recommended to aim for a 3mm gap to ensure adequate room for the intumescent strips to activate in the event of a fire, and for the smoke seal strips (if installed) to not get damaged by the opening and closing of the door.
Do you need 3 hinges on a fire door?
Please note: Fire rated door hinges are important to achieve integrity of a fire door and should be fitted in conjunction with intumescent backing. In most cases, 3 hinges are sufficient for fire doors.