The importance of compliant fire doors in an apartment buildings:

Fire door compliance is critical within buildings as a measure to prevent the spread of fire and protect the occupants from harm, and the property from extensive damage. They are designed to obstruct the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases from one area to another, providing a vital barrier between the compartments of a building.

Fire doors are required by building codes and regulations in most countries. They must be tested, installed, and maintained to ensure they meet the necessary standards and operate as intended.

Within an apartment building, fire doors must be installed in every unit to separate dwellings from communal areas, as well as within common areas such as stairwells, hallways, and entrances to provide compartments and protected or safe areas in line with the building's fire strategy design.

Some of the key reasons why fire door compliance is essential in apartment buildings include:

• Protection of occupants: Fire doors can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants more time to evacuate the building and reducing the risk of injury or death.

• Protection of property: Fire doors can help to limit the damage caused by a fire by preventing or slowing its spread to other areas of the building, thereby reducing the cost of repairs and rebuilding.

• Compliance with regulations: Building codes and regulations require fire doors to be installed and maintained in order to protect occupants and meet legal requirements.

• Insurance requirements: Insurance companies require buildings to comply with fire safety regulations, including the installation and maintenance of fire safety devices, which includes fire doors. A building's insurance will be void in the event that these are not suitably maintained.

• Peace of mind: Knowing that fire doors and other fire safety devices are installed and maintained correctly, and that they are living in a safe environment can give occupants peace of mind.

Compliant fire doors play a critical role in protecting lives and property. According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, the installation of fire doors can reduce fire spread by up to 75 percent.

Fire door compliance is crucial in apartment buildings to ensure the safety of occupants and protect property from the devastating effects of fire. The Responsible Persons, including building owners and managers, must ensure that fire doors are installed, tested, and maintained to the required standards to ensure compliance with regulations and provide a safe living environment for residents. 

Useful links:

• Current legislation: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance
• Forza Fire Doors: https://www.forza-doors.com/
• Howdens Fire Doors: https://www.howdens.com/joinery/doors?product_type=Fire
• Sentry Fire Doors: https://sentrydoors.co.uk/
• Steel Fire Doors: https://www.metador.com/door-type/fire-rated-doors/