A recent survey highlights a concerning lack of awareness about proper fire door maintenance among UK office workers.
- Many employees are unaware that fire doors should remain closed unless equipped with self-closing devices.
- An alarming 75% of fire doors in the UK fail to meet essential safety standards.
- The survey reveals significant regional differences in fire safety training across the UK.
- The lack of knowledge poses a risk to safety, as faulty fire doors can drastically reduce protection against fire and smoke.
Fire doors serve a critical role in maintaining safety within workplaces by offering protection against fires and toxic smoke. A recent survey conducted by CE Safety has uncovered a troubling lack of awareness among UK office workers regarding the proper maintenance and usage of fire doors. The study found that 34% of surveyed employees did not know that fire doors should be kept closed unless equipped with a self-closing mechanism.
The survey also revealed that a staggering 75% of fire doors across the UK fail to meet the necessary safety standards. This includes 31% that were installed incorrectly from the start, thus compromising their ability to provide adequate protection. Gary Ellis from CE Safety expressed concern over the findings, emphasizing the importance of widespread awareness about the correct handling of fire doors to ensure safety.
Employees were tested on their ability to identify common fire door faults, such as doors being wedged open, which 80% correctly recognized as unsafe. However, the survey exposed the lack of comprehensive training with 35% of respondents admitting they had never been shown the fire exit route at their workplace. Notably, there are stark regional disparities, with only 47% of workers in London having received such training, compared to 91% in Northern Ireland.
Survey participants highlighted several specific issues that compromise fire door effectiveness, such as cracked glass, missing door screws, and gaps around the door frame. These seemingly minor faults significantly undermine a fire door’s capability to block the spread of smoke and fire, which is particularly concerning given that smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire-related fatalities.
The research indicates a critical need for regular fire door inspections and proper training for all office workers, to ensure that any issues can be promptly addressed. Regular checks should occur every six months to confirm that fire doors are functioning correctly, with everyone in the workspace being informed about their role in maintaining fire safety.
Addressing these knowledge gaps is vital for enhancing workplace safety and ensuring compliance with fire safety standards.
