Fire is a threat and potential hazard that should be taken seriously in all aspects of life. Whether you are the owner of a single domestic property, or you own a large commercial premises with multiple occupants, it is vital that you have a clear understanding of your responsibilities relating to fire safety regulations and the preventative measures you can put in place to keep all occupants safe. In the healthcare sector the practice of minimising the risk of potential fire hazards is of even greater importance due to presence of patients, medical equipment and documentation at every physical healthcare institution. One way in which fire hazards can be minimised, and the threat of injury and illness in the event of a fire reduced, is to install a preventative measure such as a strong and robust fire door.

If a fire is allowed to spread it can cause huge levels of damage to a hospital. It can spread in such a way that damages the structure of the property itself, as well as delicate and expensive medical equipment, treatments and medication, as well as documentation relating to staff and patients. Depending on the type of healthcare institution, the spread of a fire could pose a great risk to the immediate health of patients and staff present in the building at the time of the fire.

Fire doors can provide an extra level of protection within a healthcare setting. They are fire-resistant and with different levels of protection offered, a healthcare institution can choose to install fire doors that offer the greatest level of protection against a fire, but those that also allow for flexible and secure use on a constant basis. A fire door, when opened allows for any occupants of the building to have a safe, clear route out of the building. This could be to escape the spread of fire and smoke to a designated area of safety at the exterior of the building.

Fire doors also provide a clear preventative measure to stop the spread of fire, smoke and potentially toxic gases, due to their fire resistant properties. Blocking the spread of fire with a fire door ensures that your healthcare institution is fully prepared for the outcome of a fire, an event, which no one can fully predict. They severely limit the dangers of fire through blocking the route of it spreading. This could provide crucial extra seconds and minutes in places such as hospitals or nursing homes, where plenty of vulnerable individuals live, or are being treated.

As you can see there are two major benefits to the installation of fire doors within healthcare institutions. The first is that they provide a sturdy resistance in the event of a fire, preventing the spread of fire, smoke and gases which could decimate a building and seriously injure occupants in the worst-case scenario. It also provides a clear route from which people can escape from the building in the event of a fire, blocking off certain areas and allowing for the easiest route to safety.