Door Industry Journal - Winter 2021

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 112 THE door industry journal winter 2021 Fire Doors, Safety & Security Turning up the heat on fire doorset specification, installation and maintenance The poor specification, installation and maintenance of fire doorsets can have devastating consequences in the event of a fire. Here, David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, outlines the key factors that decision-makers need to take into account when choosing a fire doorset. The correct specification, installation and management of fire doorsets are vital in ensuring a safe and useable environment for people, not to mention the damage fires can cause to property and valuables. Some of the statistics around fire safety in the UK are staggering. There are 20,000 commercial fires in the UK every year 1 , with research suggesting that the economy has lost £1 billion in GDP and 5,000 jobs from preventable fires in commercial properties 2 . Ultimately, everyone is responsible for fire safety. From the architect and designers during the initial planning stage, through to the manufacturers and contractors during the build and installation, and finally the building owner, operator and facilities managers once installed, it’s vital to ensure all parties understand they don’t just have a role to play, but a serious legal obligation.