Summary
Fire doors, escape routes and warning systems need to work together so that people can leave safely if a fire occurs. Managers should check these measures against the current fire risk assessment and make sure defects, obstructions and changes to the premises are identified and dealt with.
Fire safety legislation differs across the UK. England and Wales operate under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate fire safety regimes, so duty holders should apply the requirements and guidance relevant to their premises.
Fire Doors Must Be Able to Perform Their Intended Function
Fire doors form part of the measures used to restrict the spread of fire and smoke and protect escape routes. Their effectiveness depends on the complete door assembly and, where required, the ability of the door to close.
Routine checks should therefore go beyond confirming that a door carries a fire door sign. Managers should look for damage to the door, frame and associated components, check that self-closing devices operate properly and confirm that the door closes as intended.
Wedging or propping open a fire door can prevent it from performing its function. Where approved hold-open or release arrangements are installed, these need to operate with the fire warning system as intended.
Changes to doors or surrounding construction also deserve attention. Alterations to ironmongery, glazing, frames or other parts of a fire door assembly can affect its performance and should not be treated as ordinary maintenance without considering the fire safety implications.
Escape Routes Must Remain Available During Occupation
An escape route needs to provide a usable route from occupied areas towards a place of safety. Whether the available routes are adequate depends on factors including the number and characteristics of people present, the building layout and the way fire and smoke could affect the routes.
Managers should check that routes and final exits are clear and available whenever the premises are occupied. Storage, deliveries, temporary furniture or operational equipment should not reduce the usable route or block an exit.
Final exit doors should be capable of being opened quickly when required. Security arrangements should not prevent people from escaping. External routes also need attention because an available final exit is of limited use if people cannot move safely away from the building.
Occupancy outside normal working hours should be included. Cleaners, maintenance teams, contractors and community users may still require suitable escape arrangements even when parts of the premises are normally closed.
Alarm Arrangements Must Suit the Premises and Occupants
The fire risk assessment should determine the warning arrangements needed. A simple warning may be sufficient in some small premises, while larger, multi-storey, multi-occupied or complex buildings are likely to require an electrical fire alarm system. Automatic detection may be needed where a fire could develop without being discovered before escape routes are affected.
Managers should establish that the warning can reach the people who need to respond. High background noise, hearing impairment and the characteristics of occupants may require visual, tactile or other forms of warning.
Where a fire alarm controls other fire safety measures, the linked functions should also be considered. These can include the release of fire doors or operation of certain exit-door arrangements.
False alarms need investigation. Repeated unwanted activations should not lead to the warning system being disabled. The cause should be examined and appropriate remedial action taken.
Routine Checks Should Confirm That Arrangements Still Work
For offices and shops in England, official guidance gives examples of routine inspection arrangements. Daily checks include confirming that exits can be opened, fire doors are unobstructed, escape routes are clear and the alarm panel indicates normal operation.
The same guidance gives weekly testing of fire detection and warning systems as an example, following the manufacturer's or installer's instructions. It also recommends checking whether linked systems operate correctly and whether people can hear or otherwise perceive the alarm.
Records of testing and maintenance give managers evidence that faults have been identified and followed through.
Common Compliance Gaps
Problems often arise when fire safety measures are present but no longer work as the fire risk assessment assumes. Examples include wedged fire doors, damaged self-closing devices, storage creeping into escape routes and exit doors becoming difficult to open.
Other weaknesses include alarm faults left unresolved, repeated false alarms without investigation, changes to layouts that are not reflected in the assessment and unclear responsibility for checking shared escape routes.
Manager Checklist
- Check fire doors for damage and confirm required self-closing devices operate correctly.
- Make sure fire doors are not routinely wedged or improperly held open.
- Walk escape routes and remove obstructions, combustible storage and trip hazards.
- Confirm final exits can be opened quickly while the premises are occupied.
- Check that external routes allow occupants to move away from final exits.
- Verify that fire warning arrangements can alert all people who may need to evacuate.
- Test alarm systems and linked fire safety functions under the applicable maintenance arrangements.
- Record defects and confirm corrective work is completed.
FAQ
Can a fire door be left open during normal work?
A fire door that is required to close in a fire needs an appropriate means of doing so. Approved hold-open or release arrangements may be suitable in some circumstances, but simply wedging the door open defeats its intended function.
How often should escape routes be checked?
The frequency should reflect the premises and fire risk arrangements. Official guidance for offices and shops in England includes daily checks that escape routes are clear and fire exits can be opened.
Does every workplace need the same type of fire alarm?
No. The warning arrangements depend on the premises, occupants and findings of the fire risk assessment. More complex buildings may require more extensive detection and warning arrangements.
Should managers investigate false alarms?
Yes. Repeated false alarms should be recorded and investigated so that the cause can be addressed without disabling necessary fire warning arrangements.