National Fire Safety Campaign Monthly Briefing Pack - National Fire Chiefs Council
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National Fire Safety Campaign
Campaign
Monthly Briefing Pack
September – Home Fire Safety
Chimney Fire Safety Week: 3-9 September
NFCC Business Safety Week: 10-16 September
Gas Safety Week: 17-23 September
Fire Door Safety Week: 24-30 September
1
Contents
1. Summary 3
Awareness Weeks 3
2. Home Fire Safety Messages 4
Fire Safety in the Home – Key messages 4
Resources 4
3. Chimney Fire Safety Week 5
HETAS 5
NACE 6
4. NFCC Business Safety Week 7
5. Gas Safety Week 8
Fire and rescue authorities’ involvement 8
Gas Safe Register 8
Resources 8
6. Fire Door Safety Week 9
Resources 10
7. Draft Social Media Posts 11
Chimney Fire Safety Week 12
Fire Door Safety Week 12
Gas Safety Week 12
8. National Fire Safety Campaign Portal 13
9. Template Press Release – Chimney Fire Safety Week 14
10. NACE Press Release – Chimney Fire Safety Week 15
11. Template Press Release – Gas Safety Week 18
12. Template Press Release – Fire Door Safety Week 20
13. National Association of Chimney Engineers Poster 21
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1. Summary
This briefing pack provides you with information about the range of activities going
on in September under the ‘Home Fire Safety’ theme.
This broad theme provides flexibility for local fire and rescue authorities to engage
with a diverse range of people and communicate a range of important home fire
safety messages as part of the national fire safety campaign.
Awareness Weeks
There are three awareness weeks in September that fit within the theme, which you
may wish to get involved in. Additionally, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council are also
running NFCC Business Safety Week in September. Information on each of these
Weeks, along with details on any available resources, is provided in this pack.
• Chimney Fire Safety Week
• NFCC Business Safety Week
• Gas Safety Week
• Fire Door Safety Week
3
2. Home Fire Safety Messages
The national fire safety campaign’s main leaflet – Fire Safety in the Home – is a
great, simple and effective source of important fire safety information and
messages.
Fire Safety in the Home - Key messages
1. Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and test
them every month.
2. If you smoke, ensure you stub your cigarettes out
properly – Put it out. Right out.
3. Don’t leave cooking unattended and keep it out of reach
of children.
4. Don’t overload electrical sockets and turn off electrical
appliances and plugs before you go to bed or go out –
apart from appliances that are designed to stay on, like
freezers.
5. Keep lit candles, portable heaters and other sources of heat away from
curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
6. Plan and practise an escape route and make sure everyone knows it.
7. In the event of a fire, don’t tackle the fire yourself. Get out. Stay out. Call
999.
Resources
• This leaflet can be downloaded from the national fire safety campaign
portal – Fire Safety Campaign Portal
• This is also publicly available from the Gov.UK website
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-your-home-safe-from-
fire.
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3. Chimney Fire Safety Week
Chimney Fire Safety Week will run from 3 – 9 September. It was introduced in 2009
and aims to raise awareness of safe chimney use, including the importance of
ensuring that chimneys are swept regularly, are clean and appropriate quality fuel
is used.
This year, we are working in partnership
with both HETAS and the National
Association of Chimney Engineers to inform
our advice and to drive our messaging.
HETAS
HETAS, is a not for profit organisation that offers a competent person scheme for
installers of biomass and solid fuel heating, registration for retailers and chimney
sweeps and approval of appliances and fuels.
HETAS is once again supporting Chimney Fire Safety Week through a series of
short videos and promotional images to help support the campaign. Its range of
promotional videos will focus on a different element of chimney fire safety each day
and have a consumer friendly message for ease of use.
Resources
Get in touch with the HETAS marketing team on hello@hetas.co.uk to access their
marketing material for your campaign.
The HETAS website has fully interactive postcode searches for chimney sweeps,
installers, appliances and fuels, these are all useful call to action references that
can be used during the campaign.
HETAS will be sharing advice & tips for homeowners and statistics through its social
media channels during the week. You can follow them using the following accounts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hetas_uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hetasuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hetas_uk/
HETAS is also working with Woodsure, the UK’s woodfuel accreditation scheme to
promote the importance of woodfuel quality along with useful tips on checking the
moisture content and save storage of wood fuel. Please visit www.woodsure.co.uk
for more information.
Woodsure also runs the Ready to Burn certification scheme for firewood. The
scheme certifies firewood suppliers who produce firewood that is no more than 20
per cent moisture content. A full list of certified suppliers can be found on the
www.readytoburn.org website as well as through the Woodsure website.
For Woodsure social media and messaging on the importance of quality woodfuel
follow the Woodsure social media channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WoodsureFuel
5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodsure/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodsure_uk/
NACE
The National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE) provides a fire
risk and assessment support service for consumers, landlords and
tenants, as well as those most vulnerable in our communities.
NACE provides advice on competency, engineering expertise and
correct installation procedures, operator fuel use, proper storage
procedures, as well as guidance documents providing ‘common sense’
methods to avoid a catastrophic fire in the home are available during
and after the campaign.
NACE will be sharing their expert advice and guidance with homeowners through
its social media channels and the NACE chimney fire safety week website;
www.chimneyfiresafetyweeknace.wordpress.com.
For more information on NACE, their consumer support and professional
consultancy services please visit their website - www.nace.org.uk or to register a
fire risk or safety question visit their Q&A page – www.facebook.com/NACEINFO.
To support the Week, NACE have provided some additional chimney fire safety
messages, promoting a carefully planned maintenance programme. They have
included this, and other information, on the poster on page 23 of this pack.
64. NFCC Business Safety Week
The National Fire Chiefs Council will be running NFCC Business Safety Week
from 10 - 16 September.
The focus this year is to encourage small to medium businesses to work with fire
and rescue services to make sure they are complying with the law and reduce
their risk of fires, especially in the run up to Christmas when stock and staff may
increase.
Businesses will also be encouraged to prevent themselves being a target for
arson and to work with fire services to reduce false alarms which can have a
negative impact on business and fire and rescue services.
In response to some fire services reporting an increase in prohibition notices to
businesses with sleeping accommodation, NFCC will be asking fire services to
provide advice to business owners and people living in close proximity to
businesses if this has been an issue in your area.
NFCC would also like Fire and Rescue Services to double check their business
pages and redirect any links from the old CFOA website (www.cfoa.org.uk) to the
new NFCC site (www.Nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)
The toolkit and resources will be available on the NFCC
website https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/Business-Safety-Week-2018
75. Gas Safety Week
Gas Safety Week will take place from 17– 23 September. It aims to raise awareness
of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.
Last year over 6,000 organisations supported the week, helping to keep the public
safe in their homes. More information on Gas Safety Week can be found at
www.gassafetyweek.co.uk.
Fire and rescue authorities’ involvement
This September sees the eighth annual Gas Safety Week and the co-ordinators,
Gas Safe Register, are keen to build on the already excellent support from fire and
rescue authorities across the nation.
Sarah Hill, Stakeholder Relations Manager for Gas Safe Register said:
“Gas Safety Week is really gathering momentum and we look forward to working
with the fire and rescue services again - sharing positive gas safety messages
about the importance of using a Gas Safe registered engineer and the importance
of annual safety checks for gas appliances”.
Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work safely
and legally on gas appliances. By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe
Register.
All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card. Before any
gas work is carried out always check the card and make sure the engineer is
qualified for the work you need doing. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances
can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon
monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can
kill quickly with no warning.
Resources
There will be a number of resources available to help you support
the week including the Gas Safety Week logo, leaflets, posters,
social media updates, web banners, a template press release,
articles and images. To make sure you are sent these as soon as
they are available just pledge to support the week here.
Note: if you pledged to support the week in previous years you
will need to do it again to receive the toolkit via email.
86. Fire Door Safety Week
Fire Door Safety Week is set to run from 24 – 30 September
with the underlying theme ‘Fire Door Five: Shutting the door
on fire and smoke’. The campaign is led by the British
Woodworking Federation (BWF), BWF-Certified scheme,
the BWF Fire Door Alliance and the Fire Door Inspection
Scheme (FDIS).
The aim is to continue to engage and educate people about the critical role that fire
doors play in delaying the spread of smoke and fire, encourage best practice in
specification and installation and halt the legacy of neglect in maintaining and
inspecting fire doors.
www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk
The campaign, launched in 2012, reached over 19 million people in 2017, delivering
messages on the importance of fire doors in saving lives and protecting property,
and landlords’ legal responsibilities for managing fire door safety
Activities currently being organised include:
• CPD training sessions for fire professionals and building owners
• A series of Fire Door Awareness seminars and webinars, hosted by the BWF
and other industry contributors
• Local fire and rescue service roadshows for local businesses
• Open days, factory tours and free fire safety sessions for local businesses
• Fire door sales promotions and special offers
• Videos, broadcast and press coverage, tweets (#FireDoorSafetyWeek
#FireDoorFive)
Resources
There is a Fire Door Essentials Toolkit available on the Fire Door Safety Week
website covering a range of sectors including social housing, private rental
properties, hotels, commercial buildings, educational establishments, care homes,
hospitals and other types of public buildings. This includes posters, dedicated
checklists, logos, web banners and a range of sector specific advice.
5 things you could do to support Fire Door Safety Week:
1. Pledge your support: to the campaign
2. Share our resources: like, retweet and share on social media, send
targeted information to your network, write a blog, put up one of our posters
3. Plan your own initiative: you could develop an infographic linked to your
services, make your own pledge, organise your own mass door inspections
using the 5 step check or look at an awareness campaign focussed on your
local community or schools
4. Run your own awareness event: and we’ll help you to promote it, find local
partners and source speakers
95. Use your local press contacts to ensure your support is published and the
core Fire Door Safety Week messages reach your community
107. Draft Social Media Posts
National fire safety campaign draft tweets and hashtags which you may wish to
use are below:
Chimney Fire Safety Week
• Don’t become a #chimneyfire statistic this winter! Use #ReadytoBurn
firewood and make a date with your local professionally registered
#chimneysweep
• It’s #ChimneyFireSafetyWeek! Get your chimney swept before the colder
weather sweeps in so you’re ready for those cosy nights by the fire.
• When did you last get your chimney swept? It reduces the chance of fire so
don’t put it off! #ChimneySweep
• Chim-chim-in-ey, chim-chim-in-ey, chim-chim cher-ee. A sweep is as lucky,
as lucky can be! Sweep your chimney this #ChimneyFireSafetyWeek
• What are you burning on your stove? Check your woodfuel quality and only
burn dry #ReadytoBurn #firewood #ChimneyFireSafetyWeek
• Where do you store your woodfuel? Avoid stacking logs next to your
appliance #ReadytoBurn
• When did you last have your heating appliance serviced? Give your stove
the TLC it deserves this #ChimneyFireSafetyWeek
Fire Door Safety Week
• It’s #FireDoorSafetyWeek! Show your support and let’s shut the door on fire
and smoke @FDSafetyWeek
• The #FireDoorFive can save lives. Get involved with #FireDoorSafetyWeek
to shut the door on smoke and fire: https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk
• Do a quick #FiveStepCheck of your fire doors to make sure that they’re
ready to shut the door on smoke and fire:
https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/5-step-check/
• #FireDoorSafetyWeek this is what happens if a fire door isn’t third party
certified and correctly installed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE8TJTGRxU0
11• When did you last check your building’s fire doors? Use the
#FiveStepCheck and make sure they will shut the door on fire and smoke
https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/5-step-check/ @FDSafetyWeek
Gas Safety Week
• This #GasSafetyWeek, make sure all your gas appliances, including boilers,
gas cookers and gas fires, have had their annual safety check.
• #GSW18 is here. Always use a @GasSafeRegister engineer to fit, fix or
service your gas appliances.
• Is your home gas safe? Check out the @GasSafetyWeek website for top
tips to keep you and your family safe: gassaafetyweek.co.uk
• Carbon monoxide has no taste, smell or colour. Make sure you know the
signs http://bit.ly/2tm1jwR and fit an audible CO alarm this #GSW18
128. National Fire Safety Campaign Portal
The National Fire Safety Campaign Portal hosts all of the national fire safety
campaign artwork and material and is available to all fire and rescue practitioners.
There is a single login for you to access the Portal:
Please contact Laura Udeh – laura.udeh@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk if you have any
queries.
9. Template Press Notice – Chimney Fire Safety Week
13Get Sweeping for Chimney Fire Safety Week
Chimney fires in England accounted for over 4,200 incidents dealt with by fire and
rescue services between April 2016 and March 2017. This year’s Chimney Fire
Safety Week (3 – 9 September), part of the national fire safety campaign, calls for
homeowners to clean up their act and get their chimneys swept by an approved
sweep to prevent chimney damage, and, in worse cases, household fires.
Chimney Fire Prevention
There are steps homeowners can take to prevent and protect their property.
To keep you and your family safe from fire you should make sure you have your
chimney swept regularly, depending on what fuel you burn, before the colder
months set in and you begin to use your fire again. To make the most of your
wood burning stove, ensure you are using quality woodfuel, maintain your
appliance and chimney regularly and check you are using your appliance in
accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. The HETAS website has a range
of useful tips to help you get the best performance from your stove.
Chimney sweep Emily Skeet explains that sweeping is a quick and hassle-free
process for homeowners: “There are a number of myths that needs to be
dispelled about chimney sweeping. I think the first images to come into people’s
minds are of small, soot-covered children, from ‘Mary Poppins’. Today, it’s a very
different reality.”
Emily, who runs her own sweeping business, carries out up to six sweeps a day.
She adds: “A normal sweep will take me about an hour and a half as I like to have
a good chat with the client about their appliance. Contrary to what many people
may think, I don’t make a mess. I use modern methods and tools such as a power-
sweeping, CCTV and vacuums to ensure minimal disturbance for the homeowner.
I’ve had a few cases where customers move all of their furniture out of the room,
which really isn’t necessary!”
“People wouldn’t think twice about getting their cars MOT’d, but home appliances
often get neglected so I keep in regular contact with clients to remind them which
they really appreciate. It might not be on the top of everyone’s to-do lists, but you
really can’t afford to risk leaving these things unattended.”
For more information on maintaining your chimney and how can help with fire
prevention, please visit: www.chimneyfiresafetyweek.co.uk.
- - ENDS - -
10. NACE Press Notice – Chimney Fire Safety Week
14“Enjoy the Fire you want, not the one you don’t”
Chimney fires can be devastating as well as life threatening. It must never be just
enough to have a flue swept; have your flue system initially camera surveyed,
then swept and camera surveyed again to confirm the integrity of the flue system
is intact and that there are no structural issues or potential fire hazards.
Appliances must also be carefully inspected for mechanical and/or structural
failure and be supported with compliant installation audit trail evidence.
The external masonry chimney is as important as the appliance itself and flue
shaft below. This area should be inspected for leakage, mortar depreciation and
structural failure. Inspection and reporting functions should be carried out by a
qualified Chimney Engineer who will be able to offer guidance and maintenance
information with regard to appliance, flue system and the immediate chimney
environment.
Chimney terminals (chimney pots) must also be inspected for structural integrity. If
these are seen to: lean, show signs of fracturing, are smoke stained or have
elements missing, they should be replaced. Cowls do little other than to act as an
unnecessary restriction, have these removed unless it can be confirmed that a
vermin infestation exists.
Chimneys should be cleaned according to the type of product being used,
however, complacency cannot be accepted where there may be a risk of fire,
therefore a mechanical overview of both Controlled Service (chimney) and
Controlled Fitting (combustion appliance) must be undertaken and confirmed as
‘fit for purpose’ and safe.
Cleaning should roughly occur as follows;
• Smokeless Fuels – At Least Once A Year
• Bituminous Coal – At Least Twice A Year
• Wood – Quarterly When in Use
• Oil – Once A Year (Refer to Your Oil Technician)
• Gas – Once A Year (Refer to Your Gas Safe Engineer)
Have your appliance serviced and cleaned regularly by a trained and registered
chimney engineer. Ensure your chimney is kept clear by having it cleaned at
frequent intervals. Make sure any existing installation complies with Building
Regulations and all regulatory requirements. Purchasers of new properties should
request an ‘audit trail’ to prove that appliances and any work to a ‘Controlled
Service’ has been properly registered with building control. Make sure roof voids
are clear of any ignitable debris in particular around a chimney structure.
Avoid becoming a statistic
Remember, the chimney sitting solemnly atop your roof will not take care of or
repair itself, and never assume the stove or open fire that you’re enjoying is either
safe or compliant just because it works!
A carefully planned maintenance program is essential for ongoing safety.
15• Appoint a ‘highly skilled’ and ‘technically competent’ chimney
technician/engineer.
• Keep flue shafts clear.
• Ensure appliances are mechanically safe, compliant and fully functioning.
• Ensure masonry chimneys are mechanically and structurally sound.
• Never slumber any appliance overnight.
• Buying a property? Make sure you have a full audit trail for both appliance
and any relining component as well as a fire risk assessment.
Be careful when opening and closing stoves, hot embers can and will fly out
causing ignition to occur where carpets, rugs and other flammable materials are
near, the same applies to open fire use.
Ensure all fires are extinguished before going to bed or going out. Never leave
lighted material ‘alive’ on an open fire overnight or before retiring to bed or when
leaving the house.
Never interrupt any existing air supply by blocking it, this can have a lethal effect
upon those in a habitable environment.
Avoid leaving any appliance in slumber mode overnight. Slumber mode is when
the air supply to an appliance is purposely set at low or closed entirely for
overnight burning to be revived in the morning without the need for relighting. This
can be catastrophic in view of CO and / or fire ingress whilst occupants are
asleep.
• Use the appropriate fuel for your appliance as per manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Multi-Fuel appliances means either wood or coal but never together.
• Never place anything combustible next to an appliance.
• Use fire guards wherever possible.
When burning logs look for a fuel that is 20% moisture content or less, re-
constituted wood briquettes have far less bituminous creosote and wood resin
material in them so excellent for use in a smoke controlled area, and are virtually
moisture free.
Get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in accordance with Building Regulations if a
solid fuel appliance has been or is likely to be fitted.
Pressing a button on a Carbon-Monoxide alarm is not a guarantee it is working
just that the circuit is ‘live’. Alarms should be tested to prove that sensors are
active by introducing CO gas in to this area, any such test must be in accordance
with manufactures ppm requirement. Gas in a small can which is completely
safe, can be easily purchased and used in conjunction with the button test.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be independently type tested to meet the
requirements of EN 50291 and fitted in accordance.
Death in the home from fires and smoke inhalation is on the increase, we don’t
need statistics to prove this phenomenon. Fires experienced in a domestic
environment are being registered by the fire service in greater numbers. You are
therefore at least 4 times more likely to die in a fire at home if there’s no working
16smoke alarm, exits are blocked and there is no fire extinguisher or fire blanket to
hand.
Contact NACE for further fire risk and safety advice and to order CO testing kits,
guidance on the use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets in the home.
National Association of Chimney Engineers PO Box 849, Metheringham Lincoln,
LN4 3WU.
General inquiries: 01526 322555 Email: info@nace.org.uk
Technical guidance and help: 084371 36223 (calls cost 5p per minute plus your
phone company’s access charge)
Web: www.nace.org.uk
1711. Template Press Release – Gas Safety Week
[Local] Fire and Rescue Service pledges its support for Gas Safety Week
2018.
[Local] Fire and Rescue Service has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (17-
23 September) and will be [insert activities/events] to raise awareness of gas safety
and urge the public to keep themselves safe from dangerous gas appliances.
The annual Gas Safety Week will see organisations from across the UK work
together, to encourage all gas consumers to make sure they have their gas
appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and protect
against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, such as fires, leaks, explosions
and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
It is crucial that people have their appliances checked each year to be assured
they are working safely and efficiently. People should also Trust the Triangle and
check that their engineer is Gas Safe registered. Anyone working on gas
appliances while not being registered is working illegally.
[Spokesperson] of [local] Fire and Rescue Service said: [insert quote].”
Jonathan Samuel, managing director for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to have
the support of [local] Fire and Rescue Service this Gas Safety Week. By working
together we can reach more people and help to reduce the number of dangerous
gas appliances that could be lurking in the homes of the UK’s 23 million gas
consumers. We know from our own investigations data that one in six gas
appliances in the UK are unsafe2 meaning far too many people are victims of
preventable gas related incidents.”
Stay Gas Safe at home this Gas Safety Week by following these top tips:
• Sign up to a free annual gas safety check reminder service at
www.staygassafe.co.uk.
• Be aware of the signs that an unsafe gas appliance may cause such as a
lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame; soot or staining on or
around the appliance; excess condensation in the room
• Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO gas is known
as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, taste or colour. The symptoms of CO
poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse
and loss of consciousness, which can easily be mistaken for something
else
• ‘Trust the Triangle’ and always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card
and check it to make sure the engineer is qualified to check or fit the
appliance in question.
To find out about dangers in your area visit www.StayGasSafe.co.uk and to find a
Gas Safe registered engineer call 0800 408 5500 or visit
www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
18- ENDS -
Notes to editors
For media enquiries relating to Gas Safe Register or Gas Safety Week please
contact Gas Safe Register press office on 0207 654 2199 or email
press@gassaferegister.co.uk.
Gas Safe Register is the registration body appointed by the Health and Safety
Executive to manage the gas safety register in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey.
It is a legal requirement for anyone carrying out domestic and commercial gas work
to be registered, and comply with the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations
1998. The register of more than 122,000 gas engineers held by Gas Safe Register
aims to protect people from unsafe gas work. Gas Safe Register assesses the
competence of engineers by inspecting the gas work they have carried out to make
sure they are safe to work on gas. Gas Safe Register is focused on gas safety and
campaigns to raise awareness of gas safety risks associated with using illegal gas
workers.
Gas Safe Register deals with all aspects of the downstream gas industry covered
by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It covers both piped
natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Gas Safe Register replaced the
CORGI gas registration scheme in Great Britain and Isle of Man on 1 April
2009.www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
Follow us on twitter @GasSafeRegister
1911. Template Press Notice – Fire Door Safety Week
Fire Door Safety Week 2018 – Shutting the door on fire and smoke
Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire. Their correct specification,
installation, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and
death for building occupants.
Despite this, Fire door breaches remain one of the most common fines implemented
under the Fire Safety Order, with common problems ranging from doors being
wedged open, missing or damaged doors or even non-fire doors being installed in
their place.
As part of the national fire safety campaign, [local] Fire and Rescue Service are
supporting Fire Door Safety Week (24 - 30 September) and encouraging building
managers, landlords, tenants and all building users to check the operation and
condition of their fire doors and repair (if possible) or report those that aren’t
satisfactory.
[Local FRA spokesperson] said:
“It cannot be underestimated the difference that an effective fire door can make. A
fire door is not always a fire exit door and is typically identified by a blue ‘FIRE
DOOR KEEP SHUT’ sign often at eye level. Fire doors are an essential part of our
fire protection, they help to compartmentalise a building, such as a block of flats,
keeping fire and smoke trapped for a while in one area, so that the fire can be
tackled, and people can be safely evacuated.
“If you’ve seen a damaged fire door or know of a flat entrance door that hasn’t been
checked for fire performance, report it to your landlord or building manager straight
away and if you see a fire door propped open, make sure you shut it – a fire door
cannot work when open.”
Fire Door Safety Week is giving these tips for a 5 Step Fire Door Check that anyone
can do, and which lets you know whether it’s time to call in the professionals:
• Check for certification - Is there a label or plug on top (or occasionally on the
side) of the door to show it is a certificated fire door?
• Check the gaps - Check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are
consistently less than 4mm when closed.
• Check the seals - Are there any intumescent seals around the door or frame,
and are they intact with no sign of damage?
• Check the hinges - Are the hinges firmly fixed (three or more of them), with
no missing or broken screws?
• Check the door closes properly - Open the door about halfway, let go and
allow it to close by itself. Does it close firmly onto the latch without sticking
on the floor or the frame?
For more details, visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk.
2012. National Association of Chimney Engineers Poster
21You can also read
