The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is aiming to raise awareness of fire door safety after a study revealed that 57% of the UK public wouldn’t be able to spot a problem with a fire door
The survey consisting of 2,000 UK adults found that whilst awareness of factors that might prevent a fire door from performing properly in the event of a fire is high, the majority of people couldn’t identify a faulty fire door.
This year’s fire door safety week campaign: ‘Recognise it, Report it’, aims to help people spot problems with faulty doors so that they can be reported, repaired or replaced.
Lack of knowledge over faulty fire doors leads to under-reporting
21% of respondents said that the reason they wouldn’t report a faulty fire door is because they don’t think that anything would get done.
The survey also revealed a lack of understanding of the purpose of fire doors.
46% of people believed that fire doors aid in stopping the spread of fire, whilst 32% believed that it stops the spread of smoke.
Only a fully functioning fire door will protect property and life from fire and smoke, with smoke inhalation being the main cause of fire-related deaths.
Despite a lack of confidence in spotting a problem, there were some positive signs
60% of individuals would report a faulty or propped open fire door because they would feel responsible if a fire occurred that they feel they could have prevented.
86% also said they would report a faulty or propped open fire door in the future.
Fire doors are essential in preventing the spread of fire and smoke
Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), said: “Fire doors perform an essential role in the event of a fire – they are the barrier preventing the spread of fire and smoke.
“They simply must be in working order, and keeping them so relies on everybody who encounters them to spot and report issues, so they can be immediately addressed.
“The fact that so many say they are unable or unwilling to do so is incredibly worrying and puts lives at risk. The problem is two-fold: not knowing how to spot issues and not having confidence that concerns raised will be acted upon.”
Helping people to protect lives and property
Gavin Tomlinson, protection and business safety chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said: “This research highlights a worrying lack of awareness about the importance of recognising and reporting faulty fire doors.
“Everyone must understand that fire doors are a vital barrier, not just against flames but also against the deadly spread of smoke during a fire. We must empower individuals to take responsibility for fire safety in their homes and workplaces.
The theme of this year’s campaign, ‘Recognise it, Report it,’ underscores the importance of Fire Door Safety Week. The week helps raise awareness around critical issues such as faulty fire doors, enabling people to spot and report issues so that immediate action can be taken to protect lives and property.”
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