FDSW 2026: Check it, close it: protection starts at the door
Posted on September 22, 2026
Check it, close it: protection starts at the door
Fire doors save lives, but only when they are correctly installed, properly maintained and able to close when needed. During Fire Door Safety Week, 21–25 September 2026, Geofire is supporting the message Check it, close it: Protection starts at the door and encouraging everyone to take fire door safety seriously.
New research highlighted by The British Woodworking Federation shows why that message matters. While fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and toxic smoke and help protect escape routes, 38% of Gen Z respondents said they feel safe when a fire door is wedged open. Almost three in ten also believed a fire door could be safely wedged open when smoke alarms are present. A smoke alarm provides a warning; it does not replace the protection of a closed fire door.
Convenience should never compromise protection
In busy buildings such as care homes, schools, hotels and commercial premises, heavy fire doors can make everyday movement difficult. Wedging them open is not the answer.
A suitable fire door holder uses a magnet to hold the door open and releases it when the fire alarm activates, allowing the door to close. This supports access and ventilation during normal use while helping the fire door perform its vital role in an emergency.
How Agrippa helps
Geofire’s Agrippa acoustic range offers a wire-free, battery-powered solution for legally holding open fire doors. Designed for quick installation, Agrippa listens to and learns the building’s specific fire alarm sound, releasing the magnetic hold when that alarm is recognised. This helps reduce false activations without requiring hard wiring into the fire alarm system.
- Supports easier movement through busy buildings.
- Allows ventilation and airflow without unsafe wedges.
- Fits discreetly at the top of the door, helping to avoid trip hazards and floor damage.
- Provides a wire-free option with minimal disruption during installation.
- Automatically releases the door when the learned fire alarm sounds.
Make fire door checks part of everyday safety
Everyone has a part to play. Check that fire doors close fully without sticking, look for visible damage, keep doorways and escape routes clear, and report problems immediately to the building’s responsible person or health and safety representative. Fire door hardware and retainers should also be included in planned inspection and maintenance routines.
This Fire Door Safety Week, remember: check it, close it and never wedge it. Where doors need to be held open, choose a suitable, compliant solution that allows them to close when it matters most. Explore Geofire’s fire door safety solutions at https://www.geofire.co.uk/products/
