Global Technical Services signposts Level 3 fire door inspection course

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report, there have been attempts to improve fire safety and compliance within the structural integrity of large buildings. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 become a legal requirement as of 23 January 2023 and are underpinned by the desire to instil Best Practice across the board.

Regulation 10

Prior to the Fire Safety Act 2021, flat entrance doors located in multi-occupied residential buildings may not have been routinely considered as part of the fire risk assessment process. The Act has omitted the legal ambiguity, however, and confirms that flat entrance doors are indeed in scope of the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform) Order 2005.

In line with Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, ‘Responsible Persons’ must also undertake quarterly inspections of all fire doors (including self-closing doors) located in common parts of buildings. These doors must be compliant in accordance with current standards.

The checks required under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 do not replace the existing duty under the Fire Safety Order for the ‘Responsible Person’ to put in place general fire precautions and their duties under Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order in all buildings in scope of the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the height of the structure.

The phrase ‘best endeavours’ denotes how the ‘Responsible Person’ is to engage the residents when attempting access for routine inspections of flat entrance doors. An example of this interaction would be agreeing the date for the inspection process to occur.

Information provision

Further, ‘Responsible Persons’ will be required to provide residents of all multi-occupied residential buildings with information on the importance of fire doors relevant to a building’s fire safety regime.

Information on the importance of fire doors to a building’s fire safety will help to deepen residents’ understanding of their role in keeping their building safe and, what’s more, encourage them to allow ‘Responsible Persons’ access to check their flat entrance doors.

The ‘Responsible Person’ is the entity designated as being responsible for residential buildings above 11 metres in height (or those buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises). They are responsible for implementing general fire precautions in these buildings. This duty involves the process of ensuring that all fire doors (including flat entrance doors) can provide adequate fire protection for residents.

With the implementation date for the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 fast approaching, it’s absolutely crucial that ‘Responsible Persons’ have a concise plan in place to undertake the correct safety measures and ensure compliance in their building(s).

Bespoke Level 3 training course

Global Technical Services is offering a bespoke Level 3 fire door inspection-focused training course that will equip ‘Responsible Persons’ with the recognised skills and knowledge required for thorough fire door inspections. This course is delivered by experts within the business.

Once instructed, ‘Responsible Persons’ can then offer suitable training for their own members of staff and avoid the cost of having to fund regular fire door inspections from external parties.

*Register your interest in the fire door inspection course by sending an e-mail to info@globaltechnicalservices.co.uk and accessing the Global Technical Services website

**Global HSE Solutions produces its own composite Ceasefire FD30 fire door range. The doors are manufactured with sustainably sourced materials including an Agri-fibre core. Further detail is available online at www.globalhsegroup.com

***Read the Government’s Fact Sheet: Fire Doors (Regulation 10) by accessing the Home Office website