ALMOST half of adults in Hampshire don’t know the difference between a fire door and a regular door, while a similar figure have seen them illegally propped open.
New figures, released as part of Fire Door Safety Week, show ‘an alarming lack of general public awareness’ according to IronmongeryDirect, which spoke to 2,000 adults.
Figures revealed that 46 per cent of people in Hampshire have seen a door wedged open, while 43 per cent wouldn’t recognise a fire door in the first place.
In the south east, 19 per cent said that they were unaware that fire doors must be kept shut at all times.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue said: “The results of this survey highlight the need for the public to be made more aware of the important role that fire doors play in keeping them safe.
“We recommend that people are vigilant. If you are unsure about the condition or inappropriate use of a fire door, please alert the person responsible for fire safety immediately.”
Fire doors are designed to withstand fire for between 30 and 240 minutes.
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