FDSW24 A False Sense of Safety
The theme for this year’s campaign, which runs from 23 – 27 September, focuses on ‘A False Sense of Safety’. The campaign aims to bridge the gap between perceived safety and actual fire risk, encouraging the public to engage in fire safety awareness and report any fire door issues, regardless of location or the assumption that fire safety is someone else’s responsibility
A False Sense of Safety – Who would you trust to repair a fire door?
In a recent survey, most respondents agree that those responsible for installing and maintaining fire doors should have specialist qualifications or accreditations, but many still trust unqualified individuals like caretakers or handymen .
We encourage schools and public buildings to rely on certified or skilled professionals to install, maintain, and inspect fire doors, ensuring they stop the spread of fire and smoke and protect lives in the devastating event of a fire.
Fire safety is every building users’ responsibility – make sure you don’t have a ‘False Sense of Safety’ when it comes to fire.
A False Sense of Safety- Are hospitals as fire-safe as we think?
A recent survey carried out for Fire Door Safety Week 2024 found that 52% of respondents believe hospitals provide the highest level of fire safety in a building, despite NHS data reporting a concerning rise in fire incidents.
These stats show that while we feel safe in hospitals, we can’t take fire safety for granted. Fire doors are vital in stopping the spread of fire and smoke, but poor maintenance and misuse can weaken their protection, or prevent them from working altogether.
Alarmingly, 22% of those surveyed said they wouldn’t report an issue with a fire door as they do not like to cause a problem or a fuss.
FDSW24 aims to bridge the gap between perceived safety and actual fire risk, encouraging the public to engage in fire safety awareness and report any fire door issues, regardless of location or the assumption that fire safety is someone else’s responsibility.
A False Sense of Safety – A Caring Home?
Recent Government data reported that there had been 485 fire related incidents in care homes throughout the UK in 2023.
Despite this figure, a recent survey carried out by the British Woodworking Federation for Fire Door Safety Week 2024 found that only 8% of respondents had heard of any fires occurring in a care home, highlighting the need for greater awareness on fire safety.
To protect our most vulnerable, it’s crucial that fire doors are always used correctly and remain unobstructed. Fire doors should never be locked, propped open, or blocked, as these actions compromise their ability to contain fire and smoke, putting lives at risk.
Make sure you don’t have a ‘False Sense of Safety’ when it comes to fire.
A False Sense of Safety – How confident are you in your workplace’s fire safety?
A recent survey conducted for Fire Door Safety Week 2024 revealed that while offices rank as some of the most visited buildings on a day-to-day basis, only 4% of participants expressed confidence in the fire safety measures implemented.
While many people recognise the importance of fire safety, there’s a clear need for more education and awareness about how to report issues with fire doors.
If you see a fire door that has been propped open, blocked, or locked, please report this to a responsible person.
Make sure you don’t have a ‘False Sense of Safety’ when it comes to fire.
Would you know how to spot a faulty fire door and who to report it to?
Support and Resources
BWF Five Step Fire Door Check – 5 Things to check for in fire door safety
BWF FDSW22 – Close the Door on Fire video
BWF FDSW – Tenants and Residents Advice
BWF Fire Door Alliance – Fire Doors in Houses of Multiple Occupancy
BWF Fire Door Alliance – Fire Door Maintenance
BWF Fire Door Alliance – Fire Doors and the Building Regulations
Training
BWF Introduction to Fire Doors (E- Learning)
BWF Becoming a Certified Licensed Door Processor (E-Learning)