ASSA ABLOY Door Group calls for higher standards of fire door inspections in rail environments

Door Group, a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, is highlighting the need for higher standards of fire door inspections in rail environments, to ensure life safety and protect national infrastructure.

The entrance to the new, enlarged ticket hall at Victoria Underground station

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires organisations to undertake risk assessments to identify the general fire precautions needed to safeguard occupants in case of fire, including their safe means of escape.

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. In rail environments, doors need to be durable and extremely high quality to withstand high usage levels over prolonged periods of time.

It’s recommended that fire doors are held open on magnets to maximise foot flow in busy tunnels and only close to provide compartmentation in the event of a fire, as well as providing a minimum of 60 minutes fire resistance and smoke control without any latches or locks fitted to the door.

With this in mind, internal steel fire doors provide a higher level of fire protection, helping to prevent the spread of fire and maximise evacuation time. Additionally, steel doors demonstrate superior strength and durability, combined with relatively low maintenance requirements making them an ideal choice for high traffic areas.

Lee Cook, Door Group Business Development Manager for Repair, Service and Maintenance, explains: “Specifying and correctly installing compliant fire doors in rail environments is absolutely critical to ensure life safety. But once that door is in place the job doesn’t end there – regular inspections are essential to guarantee that door continues to perform effectively.

“As part of our commitment to fire door safety in the rail sector, Door Group provides a fully comprehensive inspection which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements.

“Following inspections, we then offer 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 program. Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified and will ensure that all fire doors inspected meet all necessary standards and regulations.”

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