How to Educate Staff About Fire Door Safety in the Workplace
Fire doors save lives.
But only if people know how to use them.
Too often, staff wedge them open, block them or don’t even know they’re there. That puts everyone at risk. Teaching staff about fire door safety isn’t just a box-ticking job. It’s a vital part of keeping the workplace safe.
Let’s break down how to do it.
Why Fire Door Safety Matters
A fire door is more than just a heavy door with a sticker. It holds back flames. It buys time. It can mean the difference between life and death.
Most fires won’t kill. Smoke does. Fire doors stop smoke spreading. If they stay closed. If they work.
One broken hinge or missing seal and the door fails. That’s why fire door safety matters. It’s not enough to have them installed. People need to know how they work and what not to do.
Legal Obligations Under UK Law
UK law is clear. Fire doors must be installed, maintained and used correctly.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes fire safety a legal duty. So does the Fire Safety Act 2021. If staff don’t understand fire door use, the business is at risk. Not just from fire, but from legal trouble.
Real-Life Consequences of Neglect
Fires in care homes, tower blocks and workplaces have shown what happens when fire doors fail. In many cases, they were propped open. Or damaged. Or never closed.
Fire spreads fast. So does smoke. Once it gets past a fire door, escape routes become deadly.
These aren’t just stories. They’re warnings.
Who Needs Fire Door Safety Education
Everyone. But not all need the same depth.
Frontline Staff
These are the ones using the doors daily. They need to know the basics.
Never block them. Never wedge them. Report damage.
Simple, clear rules. Delivered in plain language.
Facilities and Maintenance Teams
They do the checks. They do the fixes. They need proper training to spot issues and act fast. A fire door installation course helps give them the technical know-how to understand how these doors are built and how they fail.
Fire Marshals and Supervisors
These roles carry responsibility. They handle drills and evacuations. They need deeper knowledge of how fire doors fit into the wider fire plan.
Methods to Educate Staff About Fire Door Safety
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Use different tools for different people.
Formal Training Courses
Online or in-person, structured courses are ideal for technical teams or anyone in charge of fire safety. This makes sure they know their legal duties and what to look out for.
Toolbox Talks and Safety Briefings
Short and direct. A five-minute talk in a team meeting. A quick reminder during a shift. These help reinforce messages without pulling people off the job.
On-the-Job Walkthroughs
Walk the site. Point out the fire doors. Show what’s right and what’s wrong.
See a door propped open? Use that moment to teach.
This makes training feel real, not abstract.
Posters, Signage and Visual Reminders
Sometimes, people forget. Signs help.
Put up clear signs near every fire door. “Keep Closed” actually works if it’s seen and understood.
Use posters in break rooms or noticeboards. Show what good and bad fire doors look like. Simple images, not long explanations.
Visuals stick. Especially when people see them daily.
Include in Inductions and Refresher Training
New staff should learn fire door rules from day one.
It shouldn’t wait until their first fire drill.
Add it to the induction checklist. Show them what a fire door looks like. Show them what not to do. Tell them who to contact if something looks wrong.
Then follow up. Once a year, twice a year. Doesn’t matter how.
Just don’t let it drop. Keep it fresh.
Key Topics to Cover in Fire Door Training
Want training that actually helps? Stick to the basics. Make them clear.
- What Fire Doors Do
Hold back smoke and fire. Protect escape routes. Save lives. - How They Work
It’s all about seals, closers, latches and gaps. Tiny faults can ruin them. - Don’ts
Don’t wedge them. Don’t block them. Don’t ignore signs of damage - Spotting Problems
Missing seals, broken closers or gaps under the door. Teach people what to look for. - Who to Tell
Make sure everyone knows how to report issues. And who’s responsible for fixing them. - Why It Matters
Show real-life examples. Let them see the cost of getting it wrong.
Keeping Fire Door Safety Alive
It’s not a one-off job. People forget. Habits slip. Reminders help.
Periodic Refresher Sessions
Quarterly updates. Quick reviews. Maybe during team meetings.
Just enough to bring fire door safety back to the front of people’s minds.
Conduct Regular Fire Door Inspections
Don’t just rely on one person. Get staff involved. With proper fire door inspection training, staff responsible for fire safety can learn what to look for.
Turn inspections into a shared responsibility. It makes people care more.
Include in Fire Drills and Emergency Training
During a drill, point out the fire doors. Check if people block them.
Check if they use the right exits.
Afterwards, review what went well and what didn’t.
It’s a good time to talk about fire door safety without the pressure of a real emergency.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
People Wedge Doors Open
They do it to stay cool or move stuff. It’s lazy. It’s dangerous.
Explain why it’s a problem. Offer solutions. Install hold-open devices that release on alarm.
No One Reports Damage
Maybe they think it’s not their job. Or they don’t notice.
Make reporting easy. Use a logbook. Or a QR code on the door that links to a form.
Messages Don’t Stick
Sometimes posters fade into the background. Talks get ignored.
Change things up. Use fresh designs. Change your briefing format. Keep it moving so people don’t tune out.
Keep the Doors Closed, Keep the People Safe
Fire doors don’t work unless people do. A door can only protect if it’s shut, working and understood.
Training doesn’t need to be formal or long. It needs to be real. Real messages. Real checks. Real habits.
It’s not about scaring people. It’s about making fire door safety normal. Part of daily work. Just like putting on gloves or washing hands.
Because when fire strikes, those doors are the last line. And the people using them? They need to know exactly what to do.
