ASSA ABLOY launches fire doorset guide in support of Fire Door Safety Week 2021

Available to download at www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/en/whitepapers, the ‘Fire Doorsets’ document has been compiled based on the knowledge and expertise of ASSA ABLOY’s FDIS-trained inspectors, as well as insights and information from a range of third party accreditation bodies and Trade Associations including the Door & Hardware Federation, the Fire Industry Association and Secured By Design.

The guide is intended to help all those responsible for fire safety in residential and commercial environments, such as architects and specifiers, installers, landlords, local authorities, building owners and facilities managers.

Fire Door Safety Week 2021 hopes to raise awareness of the critical role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property. Established by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and supported by the BWF Fire Door Alliance, the awareness campaign illustrates why it’s crucial to understand the factors that ensure a fire door performs as intended, with product manufacture, quality, installation and maintenance all playing a part.

Eryl Jones, managing director of the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group, said: “The correct specification, maintenance and management of fire doors can be the difference between life and death and help to prevent the damage fires can cause to property and valuables.”

He continued: “In our new ‘Fire Doorsets’ guide, we tackle all considerations throughout a fire doorset’s lifecycle. From standards, certification and security through to design, specification and installation and on again to ongoing usage, maintenance and inspection, our intention is to help empower those responsible for fire safety with everything that they need to know.”

Staggering statistics

Some of the statistics surrounding fire safety in the UK are, according to Jones, “staggering”. There are 20,000 commercial fires in the UK every year. Research suggests that the economy has lost £1 billion in GDP and 5,000 jobs from preventable fires in commercial properties. One study found that larger fires in schools cost an average of £2.8 million to repair the damage realised, and in some cases as much as £20 million.

Last year, a Freedom of Information request responded to by 147 UK local authorities found that 63% of planned fire door maintenance and replacement work did not progress as scheduled. It’s clear that there’s still plenty of work to be done around improving awareness of the critical role fire doorsets play in protecting life and property.

In conclusion, Jones noted: “We hope that our new Best Practice guide acts as an invaluable resource for those tasked with fire safety in buildings, ensuring that everyone involved throughout a given fire doorset’s lifecycle plays their part in upholding the highest safety standards.”

*Visit www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/en/whitepapers to download the Best Practice guide for free

**For more information on ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, visit the company’s website at www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk