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Half of people can’t identify faulty fire doors, study shows
Cristina Lago Deputy Editor
The study showed that employers are more likely to provide guidance about detecting faulty fire doors than landlords (Image: British Woodworking Federation)
Fifty-seven percent of the UK population cannot spot a problem with a fire door, leading to underreporting issues, new research by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) shows.
Of the 2,000 adults surveyed as part of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week, 29% would not report a faulty fire door due to lack of knowledge. 21% said they wouldn’t report faulty doors because they did not think anything would get done.
The study also found that more employers provide guidance on how to identify defective fire doors in their workplace (38%) than landlords in their homes (26%).
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However, the study also showed high awareness of factors that might prevent a fire door from performing properly in the event of a fire.
Sixty percent of respondents would report a faulty or propped open fire door because they would feel responsible if a fire occurred that they feel they could have prevented.
Additionally, 86% said they would report a faulty or propped open fire door in the future.
Lack of understanding of the purpose of fire doors
BWF said the survey highlights a lack of understanding of the purpose of fire doors and how they function.
Protection and business safety chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Gavin Tomlinson, said: “This research highlights a worrying lack of awareness about the importance of recognising and reporting faulty fire doors.
“Everyone must understand that fire doors are a vital barrier, not just against flames but also against the deadly spread of smoke during a fire.”
The January/February 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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