Fire Chiefs and Fire & Rescue Services across the United Kingdom have recognized the emerging practice of ‘wedging fire doors open’ as an increased threat to fire safety in a post-COVID world.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said, “We have identified that some premises are wedging open self-closing fire doors as a COVID-19 control measure intended to reduce the need to touch locks and door handles. Self-closing fire doors are fitted within your premises to prevent the spread of smoke and fire and to protect and maintain escape routes. These doors must be kept shut at all times.”
Importance of fire door
Fire doors compartmentalize a building to contain a blaze and delay the spread of fire and toxic smoke, providing an extended window of opportunity for fire services to respond to the emergency.
A properly installed and well maintained fire-resistant timber door can offer between 30 and 60 minutes of important fire protection without interfering with normal daily use, or as a clear means of escape in an emergency.
This issue has been further highlighted by a recent fire safety survey that found 53% of industry professionals seeing an increase in fire doors being wedged open since the start of the pandemic.
Safer and touchless alternatives
STI is encouraging businesses to seek safer alternatives to the wedging open of fire doors
In support of Fire Door Safety Week, Safety Technology International is encouraging businesses to seek safer alternatives to the wedging open of fire doors in the battle against COVID-19 and preparation for “the new normal”.
Physical pushbuttons, door handles, and push plates are notorious as a focal point for germs; contamination of just a single door results in the spread of viruses throughout a building.
Unsurprisingly post-COVID research discovered that when “out and about” almost half of the British people surveyed want “motion sensors so you don’t have to touch things.” Access control must play a key role in infection control, reducing the dangerous temptation of wedging fire doors and neglecting fire safety.
contactless entries and exit solution
Listening to the calls of customers throughout the pandemic STI has sought a solution for contactless entries and exits. Honoring the problem-solving blueprint of company founder Jack Taylor, the inventor of the original Stopper® protective cover, the new NoTouch® Buttons harness the power of current infrared technology to safely stem the spread of COVID-19.
When used in conjunction with an automatic door opener or hands-free footplate, as suggested by the Health and Safety Executive, the buttons provide a completely touchless entry and exit system, requiring no physical contact at all eliminating the need to wedge open a fire door.
Activation of NoTouch® Button
Exit Stopper® door alarm is a highly effective way to alert a person to any misuse of fire doors
To activate the NoTouch® Button, a person must simply wave or gesture their hand in front of the infrared sensor at a variable detection range. The device will detect this motion, indicated by dual-color status LEDs, then open or unlatch the door for an adjustable amount of time, without the user needing to touch anything.
An additional deterrent, the Exit Stopper® door alarm is a highly effective way to alert a person to any misuse of fire doors, if the protected door is held ajar the unique device will emit a powerful warning alarm and visual flashing beacon.
Consequences of open wedged fire doors
A 15-second trip delay and automatic door close shut-off allow the unit to be fixed to a door in regular use, meaning the door can be used as required but importantly preventing it from being dangerously wedged open.
The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service says the wedging or pinning back of internal fire doors is unacceptable and must be avoided: “This practice would result in the premises not complying fully with the requirement of the Fire Safety Order 2005.”
“The consequences of fire doors being wedged open could result in the loss of a substantial part of the premises due to fire, heat, and smoke spreading between areas of the building due to the loss of compartmentation.”
Fire Safety Awareness
If a person prop opens a fire door and it is seen to put lives at risk they could suffer large fines, have insurance void, or even face a prison sentence.
Launched in 2013 in response to a legacy of fire door neglect, Fire Door Safety Week (20 September-26 September) is a ‘mass market’ awareness campaign to increase public understanding of the role that fire doors play in protecting life and property.
