For facilities managers, fire doors can be easy to overlook until something goes wrong. They are part of a building’s fabric, but their role in fire safety is critical: helping to contain fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving occupants valuable time to evacuate.
The challenge is that managing fire doors is about much more than checking whether a door opens and closes. Facilities managers may be responsible for coordinating inspections, maintenance, remedial works and contractors, keeping records and reporting to senior stakeholders. They therefore need a clear understanding of fire door safety and the competence to know when something is right, when it is wrong and when specialist advice is needed.
Here are five compelling reasons why fire door training should be part of every facilities manager’s professional development.
-
It helps you understand your legal responsibilities
The Fire Safety Order places duties on the ‘responsible person’ to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are provided and maintained. A facilities manager is not automatically the responsible person, but may be appointed to manage or support important aspects of fire safety on their behalf.
That distinction matters. Delegating a task does not remove the responsible person’s legal accountability, while facilities managers need sufficient knowledge to carry out their role competently.
For facilities managers working in multi-occupied residential buildings, the requirements are even more specific. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require checks of communal fire doors at least every three months in buildings over 11 metres containing two or more sets of domestic premises, with checks of flat entrance fire doors undertaken at least annually on a best-endeavours basis. The checks must include ensuring that self-closing devices are working.
Understanding the legislation and the practical implications of these duties means facilities managers can manage fire door responsibilities with much greater confidence.
-
It makes inspections and audits far less daunting
Fire door inspections can reveal everything from damaged or missing intumescent seals and defective self-closers to excessive gaps, damaged doors and inappropriate alterations.
The important question for a facilities manager is not simply whether a defect has been recorded. It is understanding what the defect means, what needs to happen next and whether the proposed remedial work is appropriate.
Good fire door training provides that foundation. It helps facilities managers develop a clear understanding of fire door assemblies, components, fire ratings, installation requirements and maintenance. It also helps them understand the importance of accurate records and documentation.
That knowledge can be invaluable when preparing for internal audits, fire risk assessments, external inspections or discussions with clients, landlords, insurers and other stakeholders.
Rather than simply producing a file of inspection reports, the facilities manager can understand what those reports are telling them.
-
It helps you manage contractors and suppliers with confidence
Facilities managers frequently find themselves coordinating multiple contractors, from fire door inspectors and installers to maintenance teams and building contractors.
But how do you know whether the work being proposed is appropriate?
You do not need to become a fire door installer or inspector to manage contractors effectively. You do, however, need enough knowledge to ask the right questions.
A suitable fire door training course can give facilities managers a much clearer understanding of installation, maintenance and inspection requirements. It can also help them recognise why fire door work cannot simply be treated as routine carpentry or general maintenance.
Fire Doors Complete’s training recognises the importance of understanding the complete door assembly and the manufacturer’s requirements. Its maintenance training, for example, highlights how installation and maintenance requirements can vary between door types and why inspection should form part of the process before maintenance and repair work is undertaken.
That knowledge gives facilities managers a stronger position when commissioning work, assessing quotations, challenging questionable recommendations and checking that remedial works have been properly completed.
-
It reduces the risk of expensive mistakes
Fire door failures are not always obvious. A door can look perfectly acceptable while having a problem with its closer, seals, gaps, hinges, glazing, frame or other components. Equally, a well-intentioned repair or alteration can potentially compromise the performance of the fire door assembly if it is not carried out correctly.
For facilities managers, the ability to spot potential problems early can therefore make a significant difference.
Training helps build the knowledge needed to identify defects, understand inspection findings and escalate issues appropriately. It can also improve communication between the facilities team, fire door inspectors, installers and other fire safety professionals.
A competent facilities manager is better placed to make sure fire doors are inspected at the appropriate intervals, defects are recorded, remedial works are followed up and important documentation is retained.
The objective is to help ensure fire doors can perform their intended function when they are needed most, and not to simply engage in a box-ticking exercise.
-
It strengthens professional competence
Facilities management is an increasingly demanding profession. Today’s facilities managers are expected to coordinate buildings, people, contractors, budgets, maintenance programmes and compliance responsibilities, often across complex portfolios. Fire safety is an important part of that role.
Developing specialist knowledge through a recognised fire door training course can strengthen professional competence and provide a useful qualification to demonstrate continuing professional development.
Fire Doors Complete offers a range of courses covering timber fire door awareness, installation, maintenance and inspection, alongside its ‘Can I Certify a Fire Door?’ programme. The courses are designed to provide practical knowledge around areas including regulatory compliance, inspection, installation, maintenance, record-keeping and sign-off.
Successful delegates completing the relevant courses and final examination receive a certificate of achievement, with Fire Doors Complete’s courses having FireQual recognised programme approval.
For facilities managers, the value goes beyond the certificate itself. The real benefit is developing the knowledge and confidence to make better decisions about fire door safety.
Making fire door competence part of your professional toolkit
Fire door safety is a shared responsibility, and facilities managers often sit at the centre of the process. They may not carry ultimate legal responsibility, but they can have a crucial role in making sure inspections happen, defects are addressed, contractors are properly managed and records are maintained.
That makes fire door knowledge an increasingly valuable part of professional practice.
You do not need to become a fire door inspector to benefit from training. What you need is a clear understanding of how fire doors work, what good looks like and when specialist expertise is required.
Fire Doors Complete provides training designed to make that knowledge practical and accessible, with courses available through remote study and classroom-based delivery. Its training materials include detailed course content, self-test facilities and final examinations, depending on the programme.
For facilities managers looking to strengthen their fire safety knowledge, improve contractor management and demonstrate professional competence, a fire door course is a worthwhile investment.
Want to strengthen your knowledge of fire doors? Find out more about Fire Doors Complete’s training and qualification programmes, or contact the team to discuss which course is right for you.