More than 100 fire safety professionals from NHS Trusts across the country took part in what was reportedly the first ever NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum, hosted by Specialist Door Solutions on 16 January.
The ‘hybrid’ event attracted speakers and industry experts from NHS England, Golden Thread Fire Delay (GTFD), London Fire Brigade (LFB), and P+HS Architects, who discussed how NHS Trusts can improve the future safety and regulatory compliance of all doorsets in their buildings.
This included the different requirements for testing, installing, and maintaining doorsets in hospitals, and the challenges in ensuring compliance in line with recently updated regulations. The meeting took place at The SDS Hub, Specialist Door Solutions’ new collaboration and event space in the heart of London, as well as online via a webinar. The success of the Forum has led to the next event being planned already.
During the discussions, many highlighted the challenges for NHS Trusts in maintaining compliance for hundreds or thousands of doorsets across different sites. There was a particular focus on recent changes to Approved Document B, along with the implications of HTM 05-03 part K – including the requirements of primary and secondary risk assessments.
Mazin Daoud, head of Fire Safety at NHS England, said: “People need to understand that non-compliant doorsets are a business continuity concern, and in the NHS, business continuity is treatment continuity; potentially a life safety issue. You simply can’t treat patients if an area has been badly affected or destroyed by fire.”
During the event, Mazin Daoud described the approach taken in the revised HTM 05-03 part K (Guidance on Fire Risk Assessments in Complex Healthcare Premises, updated in 2024), including the responsibility of those completing the fire risk assessment and the assessment of older fire doors, which may have no appropriate test evidence. He also emphasised that maintenance protocols must be appropriate to the risk, which would include the dependency of patients, the frequency of use, and the likelihood to suffer impact damage, plus the potential impact on business continuity.
Marc Wimble, Inspecting Officer & Healthcare coordinator for LFB, said: “While we do make assessments in line with the current regulations, we understand the challenges for Estates teams, and will work with NHS colleagues to ensure they know the right actions to take to maintain compliance for the long term.”
As well as discussing current regulatory requirements, the group also discussed the different considerations for doorsets in traditional hospital buildings and new-builds, and the upcoming regulatory changes in Approved Document B taking affect from September 2029 – and how this will impact doorset testing, design, and specification.
Stephen Hatcher, Associate Director at P+HS Architects, said: “We were delighted to be invited to speak at this important event. Ensuring we all stay at the forefront of safe design and innovation is crucial for the continued development of our industry. By sharing insights and exploring new ideas together, we can create environments that not only meet but exceed the safety standards expected. We look forward to the positive impact that events like this will have on future projects.”
Russell James, Strategic Partnership director for SDS (pictured at the lectern), said: “Seeing so many at our first NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum event has highlighted just how important it is to be clear about the requirements for NHS Trusts to ensure their doorsets are specified, installed, and maintained correctly.
“Doorsets are one item on a long list of elements that must be well managed to maintain safe hospital operations, and it’s vitally important for us to facilitate these conversations to share information, expertise and advice. We look forward to holding more events like this in the near future.”
