I would welcome comments on the following that has appeared on my desk - in particular the 'Workplace Law' being quoted. Any idea of what law they may be referring to? "Having researched why I’ve been requested to keep the fire door shut, workplace law prohibits the propping open of a fire door if it is underneath a fire escape staircase which in your areas case is the situation. This is due to smoke or flames escaping from the area in the event of a fire, compromising the escape of any employees who may be working on the floor above". It is not actualy a fire door per se, but a final exit fire escape door. Thanks.

The purpose of a fire door is to prevent the spread of smoke and flames thus protecting the area behind the door, if the door in question is a final exit door to the outside then the door does not offer protection from fire spreading and therefore could be left open, after all if there is a fire you would want it open to escape from. I guess you are wanting to open the door for ventilation in the warm weather? Mike

Must learn to type faster. Agree with Bleve, was just trying to narrow it down before answering.

Hopefully to clarify, this is what the HM goverment Small and medium places of assembly document (probably the same in all versions page 78) says External Stairways "To be considered a viable escape route, an external stairway should normally be protected from the effects of a fire along it's full length. this means that any door window (other than toilet window) and walls within 1.8m horizontally and 9m vertically below any part of the stairway should be fire-resisting. Windows should be fixed shut and doors self closing" So my interpretation is if the door is under the external staircase or within 1.8 mtrs of any part of it then it must be kept shut and also have a self closer to ensure that it is kept shut. Phil

Thank you for the answers so far. It is a fire exit door on the middle floor (of three) to an external sprial fire escape. I agree completelty that this should not be propped open, even for ventiilation. Any futher guidance on where the 'Workplace Law' bit comes in that specificaly prohibits the propping open of a fire door if it is underneath a fire escape staircase would be helpful.

Bit tetchy there Phil methinks. This is just the sort of response that puts people off the forum, it does not add anything to the discussion and I did not realise I was making such an issue anyway. I am however grateful for the guidance (which I have a copy of), I was just interested in the specific legislation (if there is any)that states a door must not be propped open if it is under a fire escape. Cheers.

I don't think it's a case of getting techy but lost as to what you have an issue with you agree that the door should be kept closed so why make a further issue of it. There will not be a law that says this door must be kept closed. But as said there would be something along the lines of your acts or omissions place others at risk. which would be law by leaving the door open you acts are placing others at risk from fire. The document i have refered to and you have a copy of isn't law but a guidance document which would be seen to be best practise so you would either have to be seen to comply with this or something better. it's a bit like being done for speeding the police don't refer to the highway code but a specific law.There won't be a specific law written for keeping fire doors closed but will come under another heading which could be interpreted as to you breaking a law the might be your acts and omission placing others at risk, Which appears in many different laws in one form or another certainly the HASWA RRFSO 2005 to name 2. Is that any more helpful Phil

tetchiness is open to interpretation and is often misconstrued. In addition,we can all have a bad day from time to time

Some forums (fora) allow editing and even deletion by the originator even once posted. Some say that some fora even have something called a spell checker and a forum for general off topic discussions.

If the door's got a wee blue and white label sign on it saying "fire door -keep closed", then that'll do for me. Mandatory sign = employer's instruction = employee duty to comply = HASAWA & Safety Signs and Signals Regs?