60% of Local Authorities Delayed Fire Door Programmes during COVID-19, Putting 1000s at Risk

According to Fire Door Safety Week, “over half (52%) of UK local authorities responding to a Freedom of Information request reported delays to planned fire door maintenance and replacement in the first half of 2020”. Furthermore, FDSW state that according to data obtained from 147 local authorities, at least 26,318 fire doors were scheduled for maintenance or replacement up to June 2020, but 16,580 did not progress. This means that 63% of planned works were delayed until at least the second half of the year, affecting a minimum of 9,954 individual properties. Over half of the responding authorities cited COVID-19 as the reason for the delays.

Infographic by Fire Door Safety Week

It’s safe to say that COVID has had a major impact on a lot of things including fire door maintenance, but with more people staying at home due to social distancing restrictions and working from home, this issue is more important than ever. The research suggests that 65% of local authorities that have delayed maintenance and replacement in the first half of 2020 are planning to recommence by the end of the year.

UAP Are Here to Help

UAP have supported Fire Door Safety Week for a number of years as we always promote the importance of proper fire door maintenance and safety. We provide a full range of fire-resistant and Certifire approved hardware within our Firemongery range, including The Soterian TS008 Letterplate, which has been awarded the 60 minute fire-resistant Certifire certificate for 54mm timber doors. Our fire resistant products are designed to remain intact during a fire and suppress smoke from spreading throughout the affected building. Many of these fire rated products are also Document Q approved and PAS 24:2016 compliant, so you can be confident that they perform to the highest standards.

Click here to find out more about our Firemongery range.