Lorient offers “professional and expert” fire door inspection service for end users

Fire doors acts just the same as any other type of door when in normal service, but in a fire scenario they take on the critical role of saving lives and protecting property. They do this by holding back the spread of fire and smoke through a building for a designated period, affording vital and necessary time for building occupants to escape.

Fire doors can easily become damaged when they’re in regular use. That damage may well affect their performance in the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak. It’s therefore essential that fire doors are inspected, maintained and (if deemed necessary) replaced in order to ensure that they’re fit for purpose.

In 2006, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force in England and Wales, duly transferring the responsibility for Fire Safety from the fire authorities to whomever has day-to-day control of a given building premises. That individual is known as the ‘Responsible Person’.

This person must take steps to reduce the risk from fire, consider how to contain a fire should one break out and also ensure that people can escape safely. In addition, they need to be able to identify a competent person (ie a knowledgeable and qualified professional) who can undertake preventative and protective measures (such as fire door inspections) if they’re not confident to transact such duties themselves.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is a legal requirement. Failure to comply with this document is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution, large-scale fines and even imprisonment.

Through its annual Fire Door Safety Week campaign, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) recently undertook some research into the status of fire door maintenance, inspection and replacement programmes across local authority-owned and managed housing in the UK. The BWF stated: “With the UK lockdown period forcing many individuals to spend more time at home, people

without fit for purpose fire doors have been put at risk. There is a need for continued and urgent focus on ensuring the safety of all building occupants, whether they be housed in local authority or privately-rented accommodation, in workplaces or other building types.”

Certificated to carry out the inspection of a building’s fire doors, Lorient’s inspectors use an app to record their findings throughout the survey process. A detailed report is provided covering the condition and functionality of the fire doors on the premises, duly outlining any necessary remedial action required.

Lorient designs and manufactures sealing systems for door assemblies embracing acoustic, smoke and fire containment. The Devon-based business was established in 1979 and has circa 135 employees on its books.

*Further information is available online at www.lorientuk.com