As a Building Safety Manager in social housing, ensuring fire door compliance across multiple sites while managing tight budgets is a constant challenge. With the Building Safety Act 2022 raising the bar for safety standards, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that maintain compliance without breaking the bank. Here’s how a repairs-first approach can transform your fire door maintenance strategy.
1. Optimises Budget While Maintaining Safety
One of the biggest challenges in social housing is balancing safety requirements with budget constraints. A repairs-first approach helps by:
- Extending the lifespan of existing fire doors through strategic maintenance
- Reducing the need for costly full door replacements
- Freeing up capital for other essential safety improvements
- Lowering insurance premiums through better maintenance records
2. Ensures Rapid Response to Damage
In high-traffic social housing environments, fire doors can become damaged at any time. A repairs-first strategy:
- Addresses issues quickly before they escalate
- Prevents small damages from compromising door performance
- Maintains continuous compliance with safety regulations
- Minimises the time doors are non-compliant
3. Strengthens Your Golden Thread of Information
The Building Safety Act 2022 requires comprehensive documentation of all fire safety measures. A repairs-first approach supports this by:
- Creating detailed records of all inspections and repairs
- Maintaining a clear audit trail through QR-coded door tracking
- Providing easy access to door histories and certifications
- Supporting evidence-based decision-making for maintenance
4. Enhances Tenant Safety and Communication
Effective fire safety management isn’t just about technical compliance—it’s about resident safety. A repairs-first strategy:
- Demonstrates proactive safety management to residents
- Minimises disruption during maintenance work
- Maintains the effectiveness of fire doors as life-saving devices
- Supports clear communication about safety measures
5. Streamlines Contractor Management
Managing contractors across multiple sites can be complex. A repairs-first approach helps by:
- Establishing clear standards for repair work
- Ensuring only qualified specialists perform repairs
- Creating consistent maintenance procedures across all sites
- Providing detailed specifications for all repair works
The Power of Prevention
A repairs-first strategy transforms fire door maintenance from a reactive expense into a proactive investment in safety and compliance. By addressing issues early and maintaining comprehensive records, you can ensure your fire doors remain compliant while optimising your maintenance budget.
At Neo we deliver advanced passive fire protection services across the UK. With extensive experience helping social housing providers maintain compliance and safety, we bring specialised expertise to each project. Our repairs-first approach, backed by our use of the Bolster software for comprehensive project management, helps organisations save thousands in unnecessary costs. Whether you need fire door maintenance, compliance support, or expert consultation, our team is ready to help safeguard your properties and residents.
Want to learn more about implementing a repairs-first approach in your social housing portfolio? Download our comprehensive guide, Maintaining Compliant Fire Doors Across Multiple Sites: The Power of a Repairs-First Approach or book a free consultation with our fire door experts.
