Can I wedge a fire door open?
Get a priceNo. A fire door only works when it is shut.
A wedge, a fire extinguisher or a chair holding it open means it cannot close when the alarm goes. Smoke goes straight through.
Why people do it
The door is heavy. Trolleys, bins and prams go through all day. The closer is stiff.
The fix for a stiff closer is to have it adjusted, not to prop the door.
What you can use instead
A hold-open device. It holds the door back and lets go when the fire alarm sounds, so the closer does its job.
Some are fitted on the door and some on the wall. Some are wired to the alarm and some listen for it. Ask your fire alarm engineer which kind suits your building.
What we check
When we inspect, we look for wedge marks on the floor and scuffs on the bottom edge. They tell us a door has been propped for years, even if it is shut that day.
We also test any hold-open device by setting off the alarm, if the building allows it.
Send the postcode and a rough door count. You get a price back the same day.
Get a price