FIRE DOOR SAFETY WEEK RETURNS FOR 2019
THE CAMPAIGN runs from 23 to 29 September, and will stress the ‘life-saving role that fire doors play in protecting us while we sleep’.
Run by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Fire Door Safety Week is now in its seventh year and will highlight ‘the importance of fire doors and good fire safety practice’, specifically focusing in 2019 on the ‘critical role’ played by doors in protecting people while they sleep, ‘particularly in specialised housing such as care homes, children’s homes and sheltered housing’ alongside houses in multiple occupation and communal properties.
This year, research undertaken for the campaign with care home workers will reveal ‘concerns’ relating to fire safety as well as a ‘lack of clarity’ about fire doors’ ‘crucial role’ in care homes. A series of events and campaign activities will take place during the week, with support from the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign as well as the National Fire Chiefs Council and London Fire Brigade.
A ‘hard-hitting’ video to be released will also underline the ‘powerlessness’ of both tenants and residents to protect themselves from fire ‘if responsible authorities fail to take action over fire safety’, while an interactive mock criminal trial will provide fire safety product manufacturers, consultants, contractors, designers, installers and duty holders with an ‘insight into where they may be liable’ in the event of a fire.
Helen Hewitt, chief executive of the BWF, stated: ‘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. We encourage individuals and organisations to get involved this year, share our free resources and run their own publicity campaigns and events to support the campaign’s vitally important messages.’
