Fire doors are a vital part of any fire safety plan. They have to contain fires, halting the spread of flames and smoke. Like other forms of safety gear though, they can wear down with time. Overlooking or ignoring faults can undermine the safety of your whole building. Luckily, a professional inspection can spot any signs they may be compromised and will also offer advice on what to do. We can help, offering the most reliable fire door inspections in Stockton and the wider region.
What we want to do here is go over some of the signs we look for and explain why they are important. It will also give you an idea of what to keep an eye on.
Damaged or warped door surface
A fire door’s main function is to serve as a barrier against smoke and fire. However, if one is damaged, it can’t do this effectively. A warped or damaged door could mean it won’t seal correctly. It stops it from containing smoke and fire. So, you should get repairs or replace doors if the damage or warping compromises them.
Gaps around the door
Fire doors must fit snugly within their frames so they work effectively. Any gaps around the edges can undermine the door’s capacity to contain smoke and fire. Even a small gap can let heat and smoke pass through. This lowers the door’s efficiency and can ultimately mean it fails. Get a professional to check why there are gaps and then provide a solution.
Faulty or missing door closers
Fire doors have to close automatically to carry out their function properly. A door that doesn’t close quickly enough or completely cannot contain fire or smoke. Therefore, everyone will be at risk. So, you must ensure you don’t have a faulty door closer mechanism. If there is a problem, get a professional to fix it. Talk to us if you need the foremost fire door inspections in Stockton.
Damaged or worn seals
Fire doors come with intumescent seals. They expand when exposed to heat to fill gaps around the door and stop flames and smoke from spreading. If your seals are worn down, damaged, or missing entirely, the door loses its protective ability. Therefore, ensure you replace them when necessary.
Improper door alignment
A fire door that fails to align correctly within its frame might not latch or close. This can result in possible safety issues. Smoke and fire will likely be able to spread. When a fire door doesn’t latch correctly or close fully, it needs adjusting or replacing. This way, you can meet safety standards.
Loose or missing hinges
Hinges are a vital component of the fire door assembly. They let the door open and close securely. However, as time passes, they can loosen, become misaligned, or suffer damage. It can compromise the door’s effectiveness, preventing it from fully closing or working effectively in an emergency. Because they are so important, any issues need correcting immediately with repairs or replacement.
Regular repairs and maintenance
If your fire door regularly needs adjustments or repairs, it might be because it is coming to the end of its lifespan. Or, there may have been an issue with the installation. Frequent problems like alignment trouble, sticking, or difficulty closing could be signs your door needs replacing. A fire door with regular malfunctions can fail at critical times. Instead of doing continuous repairs, replacing the door could be more cost efficient.
Certified fire door inspections in Stockton
At ABC Fire Safety & Security, we ensure all inspections are overseen by certified professionals. We tailor services to meet everyone’s particular specifications. We’ll also issue a full report afterwards. It’ll allow for easy prioritisation of any remedial work or replacements you need to comply with fire safety laws.
So, if you need the most extensive fire door inspections in Stockton, let us know. We’ll arrange them to suit your schedule.