Fire Safety Regulations 2022 - Self Closing Door Checks

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have come into force on 23 January 2023. The regulations have been implemented to improve fire safety in blocks of flats. Where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises and is above 11 metres in height, there are additional requirements for the responsible persons in relation to fire doors.

In addition to the information requirements, where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises and is above 11 metres in height, the responsible person must:

• Use best endeavours to undertake checks of fire doors at the entrances of individual domestic premises at least every 12 months.
• Keep a record of the steps taken to comply. In any case, where access was not granted during any 12 months, the actions that the responsible person took to try and gain access.
• Undertake checks of any fire doors in communal areas of the building at least every three months.

The regulations as gives guidance on what the checks must cover:

The checks must, in particular, ensure that the doors' self-closing devices are working and also:

• if there have been any alterations or damage to a door's glazing apertures or air transfer grille
• if there are any gaps around the door frame and that seals and hinges are fitted correctly
• that the door closer shuts the door
• that the door closes perfectly around the whole frame
• that there is no visible damage (either deliberate or from wear and tear) to the door or door closer

The government has published guidance on the new regulations. Check your fire safety responsibilities under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 here.

#atimetochange #BuildingSafetyAct2022 #firesafety #firedoors