Fire Door Safety Week

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20 September 2019 | Updated 22 September 2019

Fire door safety campaigners are stressing the life saving role of fire doors as part of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (23-29 September).

The week is organised by the British Woodworking Federation. This year the focus will be in the domestic property arena with a theme of ' protecting us while we sleep'.

The awareness week, now in its seventh year, will once again highlight the importance of fire doors and good fire safety practice. Messages will be emphasised  to care homes, children’s homes and sheltered housing as well as houses in multiple occupation and communal properties.

Research conducted for this year’s Fire Door Safety Week amongst care home workers is expected to reveal concerns about fire safety as well as a lack of clarity about the crucial role that fire doors play in care home buildings.

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation, said: “We all need to feel protected, and especially so when we are asleep. Fire doors play a vital role as the first line of defence against fire and smoke, containing their spread while buildings are evacuated. But they must be properly installed and maintained and good fire safety practice must be shared and followed. That’s why we continue to raise awareness every year through Fire Door Safety Week.

“Good practice is especially important in buildings with multiple occupants and residents who may be vulnerable. It is quite literally a matter of life and death.”

Events

Numerous events and campaign activities are being held throughout Fire Door Safety Week, which is supported by a number of agencies, including the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign, the National Fire Chief’s Council and London Fire Brigade.

The week will also see the launch of a hard-hitting video underlining the powerlessness of tenants and residents to protect themselves from fire if responsible authorities fail to take action over fire safety.

Brand new for this year’s campaign is an interactive mock criminal trial, aimed at providing manufacturers of fire safety products, consultants, contractors, designers, installers and other potential duty holders with an insight into where they may be liable in the event of a fire incident.

A free toolkit of resources, available at www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 20 September 2019

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