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Regional survey shows
worryingly low awareness of fire door safety in Merseyside
A survey of 2,000 adults in support of
Fire Door Safety Week that runs from 25 September 2017 to 1 October 2017, has
shown an alarming lack of general public awareness of the essential role of fire
doors, which are a legal requirement in all commercial, public and multi
occupancy buildings.
The research, carried out by Iron Mongery
Direct, revealed that 53% of people in Merseyside have seen a
fire door being illegally wedged open. This compares to the UK wide statistic
which stood at almost 1 in 2 people (49%). Another troubling outcome was that 24% of
respondents in North West were unaware that fire doors must be kept shut at all
times compared to the national average of 1 in 4 people (25%).
Hannah Mansell, spokesperson for the Fire Door Safety Week campaign, said:-
"The survey results indicate that the public need to be more aware of the
critical role of fire doors. Often the 1st line of defence in a fire, their
correct specification, maintenance and management can be the difference between
life and death for building occupants. Of course, a wedged open fire door
provides no protection. We urge everyone to immediately contact the person
responsible for fire safety in their building if they are unsure of the
condition or inappropriate use of a fire door. Report major concerns to the
local fire brigade, who can carry out audits of the premises. Cutting corners
with badly fitted fire doors or those with incompatible, non fire rated or
certificated components costs lives."
The survey also highlighted that 38% of people in Merseyside did not know the
difference between a fire door and an ordinary door. In addition, 32% of people
across the county said they would prop a fire door open to let in fresh air
among other reasons. According to the British Woodworking
Federation, the organisation behind Fire Door Safety Week, 3 million fire doors
are installed each year. However, they remain a significant area of neglect and
should be regularly checked and maintained by those responsible for the upkeep
of the building.
Managing director of IronmongeryDirect, Wayne Lysaght Mason, commented:-
"Although our survey was carried out just a month after the Grenfell Tower fire
in June, it is disturbing that a significant proportion of the general public
seem to lack basic fire door knowledge. We urge the public to contact the person
in charge of fire safety in their building if they are unsure about the
condition or use of the fire doors. We also encourage trades people to use our
online fire door checklist to help assess whether fire doors in buildings they
occupy, or are responsible for, are legally compliant."
The safety campaign says that fire doors are often the 1st line of defence in a
fire and their correct specification, maintenance and management can be the
difference between life and death for building occupants.
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