What Is The Purpose Of A Fire Door?<\/h2>\n
A fire door is a tested and certified door assembly designed to resist fire and smoke for a specified period, typically:<\/p>\n
- \n
- FD30 \u2013 30 minutes fire resistance<\/li>\n
- FD60 \u2013 60 minutes fire resistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Fire doors are part of a building\u2019s compartmentation strategy. Their purpose is to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Protect escape routes<\/li>\n
- Slow the spread of fire<\/li>\n
- Contain smoke<\/li>\n
- Protect life and property<\/li>\n
- Support evacuation or stay-put strategies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Crucially, fire doors are designed to work closed.<\/p>\n
Most fire doors are fitted with self-closing devices to ensure they shut automatically after use. If the self-closer is disabled, removed or overridden by a wedge, the door will not close during a fire and the integrity of the fire compartment<\/a> is lost.<\/p>\n
If the door does not close, it cannot perform its life-safety function.<\/p>\n
Why Wedging A Fire Door Open Is Dangerous<\/h2>\n
Wedging a fire door open prevents it from closing in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, this means:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Smoke can spread rapidly through corridors and stairwells<\/li>\n
- Protected escape routes become compromised<\/li>\n
- Fire can travel between compartments<\/li>\n
- Occupants may lose critical evacuation time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death in fires. A wedged fire door allows smoke to travel freely \u2014 often long before flames reach an area.<\/p>\n
In blocks of flats, a wedged door can undermine a stay-put strategy. In workplaces, it can compromise means of escape.<\/p>\n
Even a small wedge can render a fire door ineffective.<\/p>\n
What Does UK Law Say About Wedging Fire Doors?<\/h2>\n
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005<\/a>, the Responsible Person must ensure that:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Fire safety measures are maintained in efficient working order<\/li>\n
- Fire doors function as intended<\/li>\n
- Escape routes remain protected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition to statutory legislation, fire safety guidance such as Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and BS 9999 (Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings) make clear that fire-resisting doors forming part of compartmentation or protected escape routes must remain self-closing and effective.<\/p>\n
A fire door that is wedged open is not being maintained in efficient working order.<\/p>\n
In residential buildings, additional duties now arise under:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Fire Safety Act 2021<\/a><\/li>\n
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where fire doors form part of the building\u2019s fire precautions, they must be inspected and kept operational.<\/p>\n
If a fire authority identifies wedged fire doors during inspection, this can lead to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Enforcement notices<\/li>\n
- Prohibition notices<\/li>\n
- Prosecution<\/li>\n
- Unlimited fines<\/li>\n
- Reputational damage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Wedging a fire door open is not a minor issue \u2014 it is a compliance failure.<\/p>\n
Fire and Rescue Authorities regularly identify wedged or non-functioning fire doors during audits of residential blocks and commercial premises. In serious cases, failure to maintain fire doors has formed part of successful prosecutions following fire incidents.<\/p>\n
![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/fire-risk-assessment-network.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Fire-Door-Keep-Shut-Sign.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy Do People Wedge Fire Doors Open?<\/h2>\n
Common reasons include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Ventilation<\/li>\n
- Convenience in high-traffic areas<\/li>\n
- Moving goods or equipment<\/li>\n
- Accessibility concerns<\/li>\n
- Noise reduction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While these issues are understandable, wedging a fire door is never an acceptable solution.<\/p>\n
Risk cannot be traded for convenience.<\/p>\n
Common Misconceptions About Wedging Fire Doors<\/h2>\n
A common belief is that a fire door only needs to close if a fire is nearby. This is incorrect. Fire doors form part of a wider compartmentation strategy and must be capable of closing immediately when a fire alarm activates.<\/p>\n
Another misconception is that leaving a fire door open for \u201cjust a few minutes\u201d is harmless. Fires develop rapidly. Smoke can spread within seconds, and a wedged door can allow smoke to compromise escape routes before occupants are aware of danger.<\/p>\n
Fire safety relies on systems working automatically \u2014 not on someone remembering to shut a door.<\/p>\n
Are There Lawful Ways To Hold A Fire Door Open?<\/h2>\n
Yes \u2014 but only if compliant systems are used.<\/p>\n
Approved Options Include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Electromagnetic hold-open devices<\/strong>: These keep the door open but release automatically when the fire alarm activates.<\/li>\n
- Free-swing door closers<\/strong>: Allow doors to operate like normal doors but close when triggered by the alarm.<\/li>\n
- Acoustic hold-open devices<\/strong>: Respond to the sound of a fire alarm and release the door.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All such devices must be:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Correctly specified<\/li>\n
- Installed by competent persons<\/a><\/li>\n
- Integrated with the fire alarm system<\/li>\n
- Maintained regularly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Unapproved wedges, hooks, furniture or improvised solutions are not compliant.<\/p>\n
The Role Of Fire Risk Assessments<\/h2>\n
A suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment should:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Identify wedged or non-functioning fire doors<\/li>\n
- Assess the impact on compartmentation<\/li>\n
- Recommend corrective action<\/li>\n
- Consider whether compliant hold-open devices are appropriate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Regular fire door inspections<\/a> are critical, particularly in:<\/p>\n
- Free-swing door closers<\/strong>: Allow doors to operate like normal doors but close when triggered by the alarm.<\/li>\n
- Electromagnetic hold-open devices<\/strong>: These keep the door open but release automatically when the fire alarm activates.<\/li>\n
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- The Fire Safety Act 2021<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/fire-risk-assessment-network.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Fire-Door-Keep-Shut.jpg\")
<\/p>\n