Focus on Fire Doors
Fire safety is a primary concern, especially in educational settings, where the Fire Industry Association (FIA) reports that one in 20 schools experiences fires on their premises.
Fires can result in significant damage to school buildings. To address this issue, responsible individuals, as stipulated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, must continuously conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards in their facilities.
Allegion UK Study
However, a 2022 study conducted by Allegion UK revealed that almost half of decision-makers in educational institutions encountered issues with their fire doors, and over half of the respondents were unaware of proper fire door maintenance procedures.
In light of these concerns, those responsible for fire safety are encouraged to maximize their available time and budgets during the summer to extend the lifespan of fire door hardware. This helps ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors when schools reopen for the new term.
Laws and Regulations
Educational facilities are diverse, and while each one is unique, British and European laws require all academic settings to have functioning fire door sets. New regulations continue to emphasize fire safety in schools, with the Building Safety Act's guidance focusing on higher-risk buildings of 18 meters in height or at least 7 storeys tall. Some educational facilities meet these criteria and are required to register as high-risk by October 1, 2023.
In high-traffic areas such as school classrooms and corridors, fire doors are frequently used, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of times each day. Continuous use leads to wear and tear on door fittings, and in some cases, fire doors may be subject to misuse and abuse. For instance, at the end of each school day, students and staff often push fire doors, putting stress on the door hardware. Lower-quality or incorrectly specified door hardware is more susceptible to damage.
Wear and Damage
To prevent excessive wear and damage in high-traffic areas, schools may benefit from electromagnetic hold-open devices, which combine wall magnets with existing door closers to improve ease of access and reduce unnecessary rough handling. Similarly, door closers with backcheck control slow down the door's motion, preventing or minimizing contact damage. In the event of a fire, it is crucial that a fire door closes fully and independently. Damaged door hardware compromises the fire door's performance. Responsible individuals must ensure that escape routes are clear, and fire door sets operate as intended, replacing any damaged door hardware as necessary.
Budgetary Constraints
Even with budget constraints, decision-makers in schools have the opportunity to perform essential maintenance during periods of low foot traffic when school buildings are closed. While maintenance is vital, research by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has shown that educational buildings have the highest average maintenance spending related to door hardware.
To support schools, the government continues to invest in projects for new and refurbished buildings through the School Rebuilding Programme. Retrofit projects, when executed professionally, can significantly improve a building's efficiency and fire protection without the need to replace existing fire safety infrastructure. However, it's essential to choose high-quality, like-for-like alternatives to prevent increased replacement costs and potential breaches of fire safety regulations.
In an environment where budget cuts may affect operations, responsible individuals are encouraged to review their maintenance programs. Selecting durable, high-quality door hardware products at the outset can lower wear and damage rates, reducing repair and replacement costs.
Code for Construction Product Information
The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is an accredited program that offers clear, accurate, and up-to-date product information, helping decision-makers in education select reliable hardware that complies with UKCA and CE certifications.