Fire doors are required in both domestic and non domestic buildings in the United Kingdom. Domestic dwellings over two levels, need a fire door leading to the stairwell, where the door leads to a habitable room. Fire doors are also used in loft conversions, integral garages and mixed use buildings.

When it comes to the non domestic buildings and commercial buildings, the fire door safety is separated into a horizontal and vertical escape route. Vertical evacuation is a simple process to evacuate residents from multi level buildings using stairs. Horizontal evacuation, on the other hand, enables people to move away from the black horizontally, into a fire proof area without leaving the floor they are on.

When it comes to horizontal or vertical evacuation, it's recommended to identify the safest and fastest way for those inside the building to get out safely. The fire doors must be installed to fit the route chosen, according to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order 2005. The FD rating should be determined on the fire assessment and the type of building, along with the door location and surrounds.

It is up to an employer, charity, contractor or person providing accommodation to ensure that the right fire doors are installed based on their building type and evacuation route. While there are no legal requirements that the installation of fire doors be carried out by an accredited company, it is advised, ensuring there are no gaps or cracks between the door and frame, where fire could get out. Therefore, it's recommended to use a reliable, reputable and experienced professional for the installation of your fire doors.

During a recent interview, the General Manager at AJM Fire Safety, Jonny Millard said “Fire door frames have numerous components. The doors should be purchased from a licensed manufacturer. The gap between the door and frame can be no more than 4mm, which is why our experienced team ensure that every fire door installed is done to perfection, paying close attention to detail to ensure the best results in the event of a fire.”

It is also important that in addition to installing fire doors, you have them maintained regularly, ensuring that they remain functional. Checks should be carried out every six months. Work with a FDIS inspector, such as AJM Fire Safety, to ensure your fire doors are competent and able to provide the safety you expect in the event of a fire.

About Us: AJM Fire Safety is a leader in fire door inspections, installations, maintenance and training. This is a well established company, operating from their base in the West Midlands, providing reliable and efficient fire door safety services at competitive prices. The company offers FDIS inspections, BM Trade Q-Mark accredited installations and BM Trade Q-Mark accredited maintenance. AJM Fire Safety offers a professional service with innovative approach and glowing online reviews. They also assist clients with RFID technology to achieve compliance. Full details on the company and the range of high end fire safety services they provide can be out at https://ajmfiresafety.com.