Allegion gets behind Fire Door Safety Week

Specialist security manufacturer Allegion shows support for Fire Door Safety Week with a host of awareness activities

Posted by Stephanie Broad | July 27, 2016 | Security & safety

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Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) takes place from 26 September to 2 October, with the aim of raising awareness of the critical element of fire safety in every commercial, public and multiple occupancy building. It is further supported by the British Federation of Woodworkers' (BWF) #ClickItKickIt campaign, which is raising awareness of the dangers of wedging fire doors open and empowering people to photograph fire doors being wedged or propped open.

The BWF says: 'A wedged-open fire door renders that door useless. It can no longer protect your safety or your property. It’s an open door to danger.'

Allegion has benefits of 130 years of experience keeping people safe and will continue this by supporting FDSW with:

• Radio coverage to include a questions and answers session on fire door safety and installation
• Demonstrating the correct installation of fire door hardware at Screwfix Live in September
• Hosting events at their new offices in Aston, Birmingham
• Distributing guides on how to correctly install and maintain fire door hardware

Giving end users and facilities managers the chance to try a door closer for free, with its no obligation ‘Try Me & Keep Me’ programme.

Worryingly, a recent report from the Government has shown that there were 213 deaths and more than 6,700 casualties from building fires in England in the six months of April to September 2015. Full year figures are likely to show a significant increase on previous years.   

Paul Barrows, demand creation leader at Allegion, said: “It's terribly sad to read the latest Government figures on deaths and casualties from building fires. We offer door closers that link with an electro-magnetic hold open system to the fire alarm, which will release a door to its closed position when the fire alarm actuates. This negates the need for any sort of wedge, or even worse, propping the door open with a fire extinguisher.

“Alternatively, a free-swinging electro-magnetic door closer linked to the fire alarm system will facilitate a barrier free operation to the door whilst still allowing the door to be manually closed if required for areas of personal space where an element of privacy is required. Our events will aim to help people to find solutions to fire door safety – which could save lives.