the door

'Door' means a moveable barrier used for entry or exit to an area marked with a certain limit.

The primary purpose of a gate is to provide security by controlling ingress and egress through the “door.” Doors are usually made using materials suited to the function of the door.

What Is a Fire Exit

A fire exit is usually defined as a means of exiting a building in the event of a fire or a door that is used to let people out of a building when there is a fire. It is important to clarify that emergency exits can be the combined use of a regular exit and a special exit which allow for a faster evacuation, whilst also providing an alternative route in case the regular exit is blocked.

Fire Exit Door Specifications

Fire exit doors do not have to be manufactured to withstand and stop the spread of fire. Their main purpose is to be able to open quickly and easily so that people can escape the building in the shortest time possible in the event of an emergency.  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005, commonly known as the Fire Safety Order, states that the following requirements must be adhered to:

• Fire exit doors must open in the direction of escape and sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits. 

• Fire exit doors must not be locked or fastened in a way that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person in an emergency situation. 

• If the door is also to provide security, a fire exit door can be locked from the outside, but must be fitted with an emergency push bar (or other emergency access device) to allow a quick escape.

• Fire exits must be clearly marked and identifiable using adequate lighting and/or signage.

What is the required width of a fire exit?

There are two main sources when considering the width of fire doors installed in a building as stated on the British fire safety advice center website:

• Building Regulations – consider the maximum number of persons approach. Building regulations contain guidance on the width of escape routes and exits for new-build, non-domestic properties and the communal areas in purpose built blocks of flats in “The Building Regulations 2010, Fire Safety, Approved Document B, Volume 2 – Buildings Other Than Dwellinghouses, 2006 edition, incorporating amendments up to April 2019”. These regulations specify that the width of escape routes and exits depending on the number of persons needing to use them must be regulated accordingly; i.e. for a maximum of 60 persons the width must be no less than 750 mm, for 110 people no less than 850 mm, for 220 people no less than 1050 mm and for more than 220 people it is calculated as a minimum of 5 mm per person.

• British Standards – consider the risk profile approach. The British Standards are regulated by the British Standards Institution which is recognized as the UK’s National standards body. They take a complimentary approach to calculating the width of fire exit doors in regards to the number of persons using them based on two factors; occupancy characteristics and fire growth rate. By combining these two factors the risk profile of a specific building is created and there is a scope for a much more interpretive approach on a case by case basis.

The minimum width for an emergency escape exit should ideally be 1050 mm but not less than 750 mm in any case and where wheelchair users are likely to use it not less than 900 mm. 

When calculating the exit capacity you must remember to discount the largest exit or exits if they are close together (see example below), as they may be unavailable due to the fire. Then add together the number of persons who can safely use the remaining available exits. E.g. Exit A (1200mm wide) = 200 + 30 (150mm over 1050mm) = 230 persons, Exit B (900mm wide) = 100 persons and Exit C (850mm wide) = 100 persons. Discount the largest Exit (A) then total exit capacity is Exit B + Exit C = 200 persons. 

How Many Fire Exits Do I Need?

There is no specific regulation defined by the government on how many fire exits you must have in your premises, however there are guidelines in the Building Regulations document to follow to comply with fire safety regulations.

The government recommends that more than one fire exit is provided from your premises whenever it is possible. These exits should be completely independent from each other and have separate escape routes if possible.

Three factors influence the number of fire exit doors needed in a premises:

• The number of occupants in the room

• The number of tiers or storeys in a building

• The limits on travel distance to the nearest exit

The government guideline states that for up to 60 persons 1 fire exit is needed, for up to 600 persons 2 fire exits are needed and in cases of more than 600 people there must be at least 3 fire exits. It’s not always possible to know the number of people in the room, so in this instance the capacity of the room is calculated on the basis of the floor space factor found in Appendix C of British Building Regulations.

Efforts to ensure the distance people need to travel to evacuate the premises is as short as possible, however if a building has more than one exit, there should be no point that is more than 60 metres away from the nearest escape route.

Who Is Responsible For Fire Safety?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, in any non-domestic premises a ‘Responsible Person’ must be identified, and it is the duty of this person to ensure that fire safety standards are met. The Responsible Person is usually an employer, landlord, building manager or managing agent, but in a building such as a school, this may be the head teacher or a governor. This means that as well as having a moral obligation to ensure access control systems adhere to the latest regulations, there is also a legal requirement for those in charge.

As the responsible person for implementing these regulations they must make sure that the premises reach the required standards and that the occupants of the building are provided with adequate fire safety guidance.

The Fire Safety Order applies to almost all buildings, places and structures including shared areas in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), blocks of flats and maisonettes, however individual private homes are not covered in the Order.

Maintenance and Testing of Fire Escape Doors

Maintenance and testing of routes in case of an emergency are not just limited to maintaining fire escape doors but also staircases, corridors, escape routes, fire detection alarm systems, fire-fighting equipment, notices and emergency lighting. Regular checks, periodic servicing and maintenance must be carried out on all fire safety fixtures and fittings.

An employer or nominated employee can be designated to carry out checks and routine maintenance of emergency routes and equipment. However, it is recommended that periodic servicing of fire-fighting equipment and installed systems such as fire alarms and lighting are done by a competent person to ensure the reliability, safe operation and need for any necessary repairs.

Every premises will have its own requirements depending on the size and layout of the building and the number of people inside. However, as a general guide it is helpful to use a Fire Safety Maintenance Checklist to adhere to a required timescale such as below:

• Daily – Responsible Persons or wardens should check that all escape routes are kept clear; that fire doors open easily; and that there are no fire hazards such as visibly faulty electrical equipment, or flammable materials left close to a heat source.

• Weekly – Test fire alarms to ensure the mechanisms are working correctly

• Six monthly – Safety standard BS5839 recommends that fire alarm systems are inspected by a ‘competent person’ at least every six months, a standard which the UK government follows.

• Annually – All fire extinguishers should receive a basic service every 12 months, to pick up on any problems and ultimately to ensure that the extinguisher has a long and reliable life. Fire suppression systems also need regular servicing, timings of which will vary depending on specific products and the environments in which they’re stored.

• Five yearly – Most fire extinguishers should have an extended service after five years. This will involve completely discharging the extinguisher, checking for internal corrosion, refilling and re-pressurising.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a fire exit door open

If it’s a hot day or you need some airflow, it is completely fine to have final fire exit doors standing open on. The only time this shouldn’t happen is if the fire exit door is also doubling up as a fire resistant door, doubling up as a means to stop the spread of fire. Fire rated doors should not be left open.

Can I lock a fire exit door?

Internal Fire Exit Doors

There are many instances emergency escapes need the ability to lock. For example, hotel bedroom doors must have the ability to lock for the privacy and security of the guest and are operated externally using a key, but can be readily opened from the inside for easy evacuation in an emergency. Building regulations state ‘where a door on an escape route has to be secured against entry when the building or part of the building is occupied, it should be fitted with a lock or fastening which is readily operated, without a key, from the side approached by people making their escape’.

Similarly if the door is operated by a code, card or biometric data for example, it should be possible to override the lock by the side of the door used by those making their escape. This stipulation is further reflected in the RRFSO by stating ‘emergency doors must not be locked or fastened that they cannot be easily opened by any person who may require them to use them in an emergency’.

5 Top tips for fire exit regulations in the workplace

With all the above information in mind, see below our 5 top tips for managing fire exit regulations in the workplace:

1. Carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly

2. Tell staff or their representatives about the risks you’ve identified

3. Put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures

4. Plan for an emergency

5. Provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training