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After concerns over the fire safety of buildings serving the education sector, Door Group, part of Assa Abloy Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, has called for higher standards of fire door inspections to be implemented.
Shockingly, reports show there are over 1,000 school fires a year in the UK, costing an average of £2.8m in larger incidents, with one education insurer reporting that the large majority of UK schools are found to have ‘poor’ fire protection systems.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires schools to undertake risk assessments to identify the general fire precautions needed to safeguard the safety of occupants in case of fire, including their safe means of escape. But, with fire protection systems failing time and time again, it is clear that more needs to be done.
Fire doors are one of the most important safety features in a building, and regular inspections are essential to fully ensure health and safety measures are met. Education buildings can present highly specific requirements for fire doorsets, with particularly varied legislation and building regulations surrounding fire doors in schools.
Door Group explains its own process…
As part of its commitment to fire door safety, Door Group highlights that it provides a fully comprehensive inspection which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements.
Following inspections, Door Group then offers detailed reports containing advice and recommendations on necessary improvements, with the knowledge that identifying any potential issues that could impact safety and product performance can be lifesaving.
If any issues do occur, a tailored repair proposal is issued to include anything from replacement doors to a regular maintenance programme, says the company. Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified and will ensure that all fire doors inspected meet all necessary standards and regulations, assures the company.
Brian Sofley, Managing Director for Door Group, explains: “The figures we’re seeing regarding fires in the education sector are terrifying. An education building should be a safe and secure place for students and staff, to work and learn.
“Door Group is committed to making schools, colleges and universities across the UK fire protected. With regular and thorough inspections, we can ensure the compliance and performance of fire doorsets in an effort to improve overall fire safety in the educational environment.”
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Calls made for higher standards of fire door inspections in schoolsAfter concerns over the fire safety of buildings in education, Door Group has called for higher standards of fire door inspections to be implemented.
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Lee Connell
March 19, 2020 10:27 am
100% agree with the fact door checks are not being completed to an appropriate standard. However, this article is more of an advertisement for Door Group inspections. What this needs is not a monopoly on checks by 3 or 4 companies, but cost effective training to be available to all.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires schools to undertake risk assessments to identify the general fire precautions needed to safeguard the safety of occupants in case of fire, including their safe means of escape. But, with fire protection systems failing time and time again, it is clear that more needs to be done.
100% agree with the fact door checks are not being completed to an appropriate standard. However, this article is more of an advertisement for Door Group inspections. What this needs is not a monopoly on checks by 3 or 4 companies, but cost effective training to be available to all.