Where Are Fire Doors Required in Commercial Buildings?

Whether you're purchasing or buying a plot of land to build a shopping centre, offices or some other property for commercial use, you must know and comply with the relevant fire door regulations and best practices.

Here's what you need to know:

Are Fire Doors a Legal Requirement?

Fire doors are legally required in all non-domestic buildings, this includes:

• A commercial building

• A public building

• A business premises (like an office)

Fire door regulations also apply to apartments and houses of multiple occupancies (HMOs). We've covered these two areas in our guide to domestic buildings and fire door regulations.

What is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

This is Government Legislation focusing on fire safety measures. One section refers directly to fire safety strategy for emergency routes and exits.

It highlights that all emergency exits should be kept clear at all times. These fire safety regulations also state that:

• Escape routes must be as direct as possible so that everybody can escape as swiftly as possible

• That it's possible for people to get out of the commercial building

• There are sufficient evacuation routes, these are adequate and never locked

• All fire doors must open in the direction of escape

And more.

Fire Doors Regulations for Commercial Buildings

Where you place your fire doors depends on planned escape routes in the event of a fire. The main goal is to buy as much time as possible for everybody to get out of the building and to safety.

Any commercial building with more than one floor should have a vertical and horizontal escape route planned so that people can safely exit the building wherever they are at the time of an emergency. Once these routes have been identified, fire doors must be fitted to secure these pathways to safety.

Additionally, you should fit fire doors in any room or around areas that house fire equipment so that these can be easily accessed if needed.

Why Do All Commercial Buildings Need Fire Doors?

There are four main reasons why every commercial premises needs to invest in and correctly install fire doors:

1) To obstruct the spread of smoke and fire long enough for everybody to get out of the building safely

2) To minimise the risk to those within the building (both employees and visitors)

3) To reduce the damage to the property and any properties in close proximity

4) To comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Are Fire Doors Required in Offices?

Offices fall under the umbrella of commercial businesses and so must comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). Every office building must have a fire risk assessment carried out every 12 months and should have a 'Responsible Person' to ensure the building complies with fire regulations at all times.

Are Fire Doors Required in Shops?

Property owners of shops (retail shops, restaurants etc.) must also comply with the RRO. An additional consideration to be made is if a shop owner also owns a property directly above a shop. In this instance, the 'front door' to the property above the shop must also have a fire door installed.

Do Industrial Units Need Internal Fire Doors?

Industrial units are held under the same legalities and expectations as other commercial properties when it comes to fire resistance measures. That means that the Responsible Person must ensure that every door leading to escape must be a certified fire door.

Do Schools Need Fire Doors?

While it isn't strictly stated that fire doors are a legal requirement in schools in official Government documentation, there are numerous fire safety standards that schools need to comply with.

Some of the regulations that must be adhered to regarding fire doors include:

• Building Bulleting 100: Design for fire safety in schools

• Fire safety risk assessment: Educational premises

Fire Safety Precautions

Fire doors play an integral role in keeping staff, visitors, shoppers and students as safe as possible in the event of a fire. Whether you own a shop, office, industrial unit, school or some other business building, it is your responsibility to create as safe an environment as possible.

Vibrant Doors supplies high-quality, stunning external and internal doors, including an extensive range of fire doors. From flush fire doors to sturdy and stylish oak fire doors, to paint grade doors, you’re sure to find the perfect fire door for your property, whether commercial or domestic.