Fire door safety campaigners are stressing the life-saving role that fire doors play in protecting us while we sleep, as part of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (23-39 September), run by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).
The awareness week, now in its seventh year, will once again highlight the importance of fire doors and good fire safety practice. This year it will focus on the critical role fire doors play in protecting us when we’re asleep, particularly in specialised housing such as care homes, children’s homes and sheltered housing as well as houses in multiple occupation and communal properties.
Research conducted for this year’s Fire Door Safety Week amongst care home workers will reveal concerns about fire safety as well as a lack of clarity about the crucial role that fire doors play in care home buildings.
Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation, said:
“We all need to feel protected, and especially so when we are asleep. Fire doors play a vital role as the first line of defence against fire and smoke, containing their spread while buildings are evacuated. But they must be properly installed and maintained, and good fire safety practice must be shared and followed. That’s why we continue to raise awareness every year through Fire Door Safety Week. Good practice is especially important in buildings with multiple occupants and residents who may be vulnerable. It is quite literally a matter of life and death.”
Numerous events and campaign activities are being held throughout Fire Door Safety Week 2019, including Guilty or Not Guilty? Know your legal responsibility when it comes to fire safety. This event run by the BWF, in collaboration with Kizzy Augustin from Russell-Cooke Solicitors, will take the format of an interactive mock criminal trial. To find out more, visit the dedicated Eventbrite page.
A free toolkit of resources is available to help landlords, tenants and anyone with an interest in or responsibility for fire safety at a property to get involved. Click here to visit the Fire Door Safety Week Toolkit page
For more information, and to pledge your support, visit the Fire Door Safety Week website.