Facilitate Magazine | Nearly half of people have spotted problems with fire doors in their workplace, a survey finds.
Despite widespread faults, only 13% of workers report fire door issues at work, according to research from the British Woodworking Federation. Issues identified ranged from fire doors being propped open (18%) and blocked (13%) to having faulty closers (10%) or faulty hinges (10%).
Fire doors act as a fire and smoke barrier, compartmentalising a building and helping to inhibit the spread of flames, heat and smoke. Effectively installed and maintained, they can allow crucial time to enable a building’s occupants to escape to safety.
The findings come as a recent FOI request revealed a 93% increase in lithium-ion battery fires between 2022 and 2024, with e-bikes and e-scooters among the most common causes.
Other sources of lithium-ion battery fires include vapes (38%) and electric cars and vans (36%). The research found 10% of people have experienced, or know someone who has experienced, a lithium-ion battery fire in the last 12 months.
Poor management of e-vehicles can exacerbate risk, too, as owners bring them into their workspaces, such as hallways, to charge. Many employers have introduced facilities for e-bikes and e-scooters, such as indoor parking (31%), charging points (59%), and secure storage (27%).
The British Woodworking Federation found more than half (59%) of e-bike and e-scooter owners said their fears around fire risk had grown since getting their vehicle.
