Posts tagged: events

Specialist Door Solutions hosts first NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum

The first NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum took place on 16 January 2025, bringing together fire safety professionals from NHS Trusts across the country to discuss compliance with updated regulations for hospital doorsets.

Specialist Door Solutions (SDS) hosted the event, which welcomed over 100 attendees.

The panel included representatives from healthcare and fire safety sectors, including Marc Wimble of the London Fire Brigade (LFB), Mazin Daoud of NHS England, Alan Oliver of Golden Thread Fire Delay, and Stephen Hatcher of P+HS Architects.

Discussions focused on regulatory changes such as amendments to Approved Document B and the updated HTM 05-03 part K guidance on fire risk assessments for complex healthcare premises.

The forum highlighted the need for continued collaboration to ensure patient safety and compliance with evolving fire safety regulations.

Regulatory changes and the impact on NHS fire safety

The panel addressed the complexities of testing, installing, and maintaining doorsets in NHS buildings while ensuring compliance with updated regulations.

Mazin Daoud discussed the importance of adhering to HTM 05-03 part K, which was revised in 2024.

He stated: “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.”

He also emphasised that maintenance protocols should be risk-based, considering factors such as patient dependency, frequency of use, and potential impact damage.

Challenges in implementing fire risk assessments

Delegates raised concerns about the requirement for primary and secondary risk assessments and the difficulties NHS Trusts face in ensuring fire risk assessments remain up to date.

Mazin Daoud explained that primary risk assessments cover common building-wide elements such as fire alarm systems and external wall systems, while secondary risk assessments focus on specific areas requiring further scrutiny.

On the issue of enforcement, Marc Wimble noted: “While we do make assessments in line with the current regulations, we understand the challenges for estates teams, and we will work with NHS colleagues to ensure they know the right actions to take to maintain compliance for the long term.”

Future considerations for NHS fire safety compliance

The discussion also explored how healthcare buildings are shifting away from traditional construction methods and whether modular, stacked structures require additional fire door testing.

Stephen Hatcher highlighted the importance of staying at the forefront of design and compliance.

He said: “By sharing insights and exploring new ideas together, we can create environments that not only meet but exceed the safety standards expected.”

Russell James, Strategic Partnership Director for SDS, reflected on the success of the event: “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.”

NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum addresses compliance challenges for hospital doorsets: Summary

The NHS Estates Fire Safety Forum, hosted by Specialist Door Solutions on 16 January 2025, brought together over 100 fire safety professionals from NHS Trusts across the UK.

The forum addressed challenges related to hospital doorset compliance with updated regulations, including changes to Approved Document B and HTM 05-03 part K.

Speakers included representatives from the London Fire Brigade, NHS England, Golden Thread Fire Delay, and P+HS Architects.

Discussions covered primary and secondary fire risk assessments, enforcement challenges, and the impact of evolving hospital construction methods on fire safety compliance.

Panellists highlighted the need for continued collaboration to ensure compliance and patient safety.

NHS England’s Mazin Daoud stressed that non-compliant doorsets pose a business continuity risk, while LFB’s Marc Wimble stated that the fire service would support NHS estates teams in maintaining compliance.

Attendees discussed the potential need for additional fire door testing in modular healthcare buildings.

SDS confirmed plans to hold similar forums in the future.