ASSA ABLOY Door Group Calls To Raise Standards Of Fire Door Inspections To Protect Lives

A woman exiting a building via the fire door With this year’s Fire Door Safety Week campaign running 20th-26th September, Door Group – a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland – is calling for higher standards of fire door inspections in public and commercial buildings to ensure life safety.

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at Door Group, explains: “Fire doors are one of the most important safety features in a building. Whilst providing access around the property they are a critical part of the fire compartmentation requirement.

“We understand the building industry is under constant pressure to drive down costs and deliver services quicker than ever before. However, specification errors, unresolved installation issues and poor maintenance of fire safety products can have devastating consequences.”

Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety suggested that there is a degree of fragmentation within the industry, which has consequently led to ambiguity over where responsibility lies.

Therefore, it is imperative that those responsible for the property ensure life safety products have been independently verified, are regularly audited or certified and have been manufactured and installed by competent companies or individuals. It is only then that both buildings and facilities managers and occupants can have total peace of mind.



Brian adds: “We take the view that suppliers and manufacturers have a duty of care to their customers at each and every stage of a project, to offer a solution that is properly and unambiguously safeguarded by certification.

“Every person involved in a project should be aware of the responsibility imposed on them and should treat this as an opportunity to showcase their talents in delivering a quality service. Collectively, we need to ensure that fire safety is carried out holistically to ensure thorough due diligence and this includes end-users.”

As part of its commitment to fire door safety, Door Group provide a fully comprehensive inspection which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements.

Following inspections, Door Group offers detailed reports containing advice and recommendations on necessary improvements, with the knowledge that identifying any potential issues that could impact safety and product performance can be lifesaving.

If any issues do occur, a tailored repair proposal is issued to include anything from replacement doors to a regular maintenance program. Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified and will ensure that all fire doors inspected meet all necessary standards and regulations.

Door Group is also offering a free webinar on the importance of fire door safety through its product compliance and inspection services on 29th September 2021 at 1pm BST. To register for the webinar please go to: https://app.livestorm.co/assa-abloy-opening-solutions/fire-door-inspections-webinar-by-assa-abloy-door-group