For this blog, let’s talk about something that troubles many of us in the fire safety industry; the worrying trend of profit-driven fire door inspections potentially putting building safety at risk. At Fire Doors Complete, we’ve always believed that ethical fire door inspections should be about protecting lives, not just generating revenue.
Think about it: fire doors are more than just another component in a building. They’re critical lifesaving barriers that, in the event of a fire, prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving people precious time to reach safety. When inspections are driven by sales targets rather than genuine safety concerns, we’re all put at risk.
The problem with profit-first approaches
It saddens us to see some fire risk assessors and inspection companies putting profits before people. We’ve encountered cases where companies recommend complete door replacements when a simple repair would do the job perfectly well. Some are even condemning doors prematurely to generate replacement sales, while overlooking cost-effective solutions like retrofitting. This approach not only hits property managers’ pockets hard but potentially compromises the integrity of fire protection systems in residential buildings.
A better way forward
We’ve always done things differently at Fire Doors Complete. Our approach is simple: we treat every building as if our own families lived or worked there. This means we’ll always check whether a repair can be made before suggesting replacement, and we’ll only recommend additional inspections when they’re genuinely needed. It’s about finding solutions that work for everyone – maintaining safety without unnecessary expense.
Best practices in action
When we carry out fire door inspections, we look at the whole picture. From checking door closers and intumescent strips to examining fire door signage and looking for signs of wear, we take time to understand each door’s story. We believe in having honest conversations with building managers about what we find, explaining our recommendations in plain English and helping them understand their options.
The value of experience
Over our years in passive fire protection, we’ve learned that maintaining fire doors in optimal condition isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about understanding how these crucial safety systems work together. We’ve seen time and again how proper maintenance can extend the life of emergency exit doors while ensuring they remain ready to perform when needed.
Working hand in hand with building owners and property managers, we’ve shown that ethical fire door inspections actually save money in the long run. By spotting potential issues early and taking preventative action, we help avoid those costly emergency replacements while keeping buildings safe and compliant.
The path forward
We can’t overstate how important fire doors are in an emergency. They work alongside your fire alarm system to create a comprehensive safety net for everyone in the building. But this only works when inspections are honest and thorough, putting safety first.
As proud holders of various accreditations and schemes, we’re committed to building lasting partnerships based on trust and transparency. We believe building owners and managers deserve fire safety partners who’ll give them straight answers and practical solutions.
After all, when it comes to fire safety, we’re all in this together. Whether you’re a property manager, building owner or tenant, we share the same goal – keeping people safe without breaking the bank. Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing more important than knowing you’ve done everything possible to protect the people who rely on these safety measures every day.
- For more information about Fire Doors Complete, contact us here or call 07970 201231.