Fire Doors – focus area this month
In the past week or two, we\’ve been checking out new premises, and of course, continuing our routine service for existing clients and in many places fire doors seem to be a special focus this July.
Some are more beautiful than others.
Image 1 in a stylish entrance foyer. Image 2 exit to a city back lane.
What to look for
As per the AS1851 (*), the first things we look for in a fire door is the AS1905 (**) tag and the, hopefully, very obvious, \”FIRE DOOR\” signage.
Usually on the side of the door above the hinges you\’ll find the manufacturer\’s AS1905 tag. This is a metal tag with stamped or embossed text, no smaller than 25 x 50 mm. This clearly indicates
- – compliance to AS 1905,
- – the manufacturer, and
- – the year it was made.
The tag is affixed by the original manufacturer and, generally speaking, can\’t be retrospectively replaced.
No AS1905 tag?
What if your door has no AS1905 tag? Rather than spend $$$’s changing fire doors, we suggested to a prospective client in one case, to have a registered surveyor check out the doors. After conducting a review and on site investigation the surveyor might agree that, whilst a door is not tagged, it is more than likely the door will fulfil its purpose in the event of a fire. A report could be generated, then be noted on all annual safety statements moving forward. You or your body corporate committee, could refer to such a statement if there is ever a query on fitness-for-purpose or compliance.In the best case scenario, the surveyor might recommend installing fire seals to deal with any excessive gaps. If there are multiple doors which appear in good condition, a destructive test of one of them could be considered. A worry might be that doors manufactured before the 1990s contain asbestos. You need to be on the look out for this and don\’t disturb them without engaging a qualified asbestos management contractor.We have no financial link to any surveyor, but we can nominate one or two we have worked with before.
(*) AS1851 Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
(**) AS1905.1-2015 Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls – Fire-resistant doorsets.
How can we help you?
Call us 1300 134 971 for your routine fire equipment checks. Or invite us along for a voyage of discovery in your premises and get with the program.