LONDON, September 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
FIVE EASY THINGS TO CHECK DURING FIRE DOOR SAFETY WEEK WHICH MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE
Fire safety experts are warning of the dangers of dodgy fire doors and telling people to check fire doors wherever they live and work during Fire Door Safety Week which starts today.
Fire Door Safety Week is raising awareness of this critical element of fire safety in every apartment block, hotel, office, restaurant, bar and other commercial and public building. There are about 3 million fire doors installed annually in the UK.
We are being urged to quickly check any door with a 'fire door' sign on it, and to report all doors that look damaged, are being propped open or are not closing correctly.
John Fletcher, manager of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme which is behind the initiative:
"A fire door is no ordinary door. It's an engineered safety device, and can save lives and property if made, fitted and maintained properly.
"The law says we must be protected by suitable fire doors in almost all the buildings we use every day - offices, factories, schools, shops, restaurants and hotels, as well as flats and in some other homes which have rooms in the roof or integral garages.
"But we need to make sure these doors operate correctly at all times. Every building owner, and every one of us as building users, should carry out simple checks this week and report dodgy fire doors. Spread awareness, not fire."
The 5 Fire Door Safety Week checks are:
- Make sure the door is not damaged or propped open, with no large gaps around the edges and marked with the appropriate signage.
- Look for a label, plug or similar marking on the top or edge of the door to show that it's certificated.
- Ensure the door closes firmly and the closer is fitted securely.
- Check the hinges are properly fixed with no missing screws.
- Report any problems immediately to your landlord, maintenance department or to the responsible person.
Download a free poster for students and housing tenants from http://firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/tool-kit/
Fire Door Safety week is supported by the Fire and Rescue Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, and the Government's Fire Kills campaign.
Follow Fire Door Safety Week on Twitter @FDSafetyWeek or search #firedoorsafetyweek.
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