• Open in the direction of travel (unless a fire risk assessment deems this acceptable due to the low number of occupants) • Should not be wedged open (unless with fire standard approved automatic door stop which releases the door upon activation of the fire alarm system) • Should be easy to open & not be locked, obstructed, or offer any resistance • Should be wide enough for the number of people likely to use them • Should lead to a place of safety • Should be self-closing to prevent the spread of fire and smoke • Should be fitted with intumescent strips and seals Door Releases If the door has an automatic door release fitted, then the release should be triggered by the detection of smoke, activation of the fire alarm, failure of the fire warning system or by manual release. The mechanisms should be operated each week to ensure they are working effectively, and they should operate within 20 seconds of the fire alarm operating. Doors fitted with release mechanisms should also be provided with the appropriate signage, such as 'Keep Clear'. Some buildings especially older ones may have panels or domes, that require the glass to be broken, which may expose a door lever, which when the lever is operated will allow the door to be pushed open. These devices must be 'Fail Safe' so if a fire did occur the fail-safe system would unlock doors to ensure a quick escape and allow firefighters inside. Protection of Escape Routes Escape routes are protected to ensure that the people have the maximum amount of time possible to escape during a fire situation, this is especially essential if the stairwells and corridors are the only means of escape from an area. Protection in this sense is provided by the materials and construction of doors, walls, divisions, ceilings, etc. along the fire route and the ability of such to resist combustion. The term applied is Fire Resistance and the minimum time required to qualify as fire resistant is as quoted: "Generally, a 30-minute standard is sufficient for the protection of means of escape". Any internal glazing within the escape route must be kept to a minimum. In cases where this is unavoidable, the glazing will need to be of 30 minutes fire protection. In an earlier section of this element, we covered compartmentation, the same methods of stopping fire spread and combustion are applied in the protection of escape routes. The escape routes in this respect are in fact compartments. To achieve this, the structural measures that constitute the means of escape (escape routes, staircases, and fire exits) must be supported by other measures, such as emergency escape lighting, fire warning systems, and fire safety signs.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FC V 5 JUN 2021
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