Fire doors are essential to any building’s safety strategy, yet a concerning trend has emerged: they’re increasingly treated as disposable items rather than integral components requiring care and upkeep. While the reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, the consequences are clear—higher costs, environmental waste, and missed opportunities to enhance long-term safety.
So, what’s driving this replace-first mentality, and why is it time to rethink how we manage fire doors?
The Push for Replacement: A Short-Sighted Approach
There’s a growing industry reliance on replacing fire doors at the first sign of wear. It’s a solution that often feels easier—new doors arrive with factory assurances of compliance, and for some, this minimizes perceived risk. But this approach comes at a price:
- Increased Costs: Constant replacement strains budgets unnecessarily.
- Environmental Impact: Disposing of slightly worn doors contributes to waste and carbon emissions.
- Interrupted Safety Strategies: Frequent replacements can disrupt fire safety systems, especially in live buildings like hospitals or residential complexes.
The result is a cycle where fire doors are treated as consumables, replaced more often than necessary, and without the long-term benefits of a more sustainable maintenance plan.
Rethinking Fire Door Management
What if there was a better way to balance cost, safety, and sustainability? Imagine a strategy that focuses on extending the lifespan of fire doors, reducing waste, and ensuring compliance without the constant churn of replacements.
This approach doesn’t just save money—it minimizes disruptions, aligns with modern sustainability goals, and keeps safety systems running smoothly in the spaces where they matter most.
What’s the Alternative?
The key to solving this challenge lies in understanding the unique needs of your building and tailoring a plan that prioritizes fire door performance over replacement frequency. From proactive inspections to targeted interventions, there’s a way to keep doors functional, compliant, and dependable over time.
Want to know how it works?
Let’s Talk
If you’re tired of the replace-first mindset and want to explore a more thoughtful approach to fire door management, we’d love to hear from you. At IMS Group, we’ve worked with clients across various sectors to rethink fire safety strategies that reduce risks, lower costs, and enhance sustainability.
The answers might surprise you—and they might just change how you think about fire safety forever.
Contact Us Today to discover how we can help.
If you have any questions or would like advise get in touch with us here.
Useful links
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022-fire-door-guidance#what-the-law-requires
