doormats

[wee brian]

Really?

http://www.fia.uk.com/en/Information/Details/index.cfm/Fire-risk-warning-over---homely---doormats

"Doormats represent a serious fire risk and should not be placed in communal areas, one of the UK's leading fire safety experts has warned. Welcome mats may make a flat or apartment seem more homely, but if placed outside the door they can help to spread fire through a building says Brian Gregory of Safety Management UK. The former firefighter, who now runs one of the UK's biggest fire safety companies, is concerned that many landlords are prepared to turn a blind eye to the fire risk a doormat can pose."

[nearlythere]

I seem to remember this doing the rounds before and I think then the general view was that it was a very irrelevant issue and one that would be considered in the circumstances of the case. If a door mat is such a fire risk glory be what about a fully carpeted stairway in a posh block of apartments.
Mind you I've never known door mats, plastic flowers, magazines be such a danger that it would concern the nation.

Maybe I haven't seen the evidence to support this?

[morph]

My experience is that it is a mistake to focus on one thing. If someone asked me "what's the problem with my doormat?", I would have say "nothing at all, but ......!"  Going on, I would advise that it should be part of the overall management of the building and if there is a zero tolerance management approach, there should be nothing in the common ways, including doormats, plants, mobility scooters, recycling boxes, xmas decs etc etc.

The trouble is that press reports focus on the headline rather that the full picture.

If anyone is interested, I work for a large Local Authority, advising on Fire Safety in housing stock, among other things.

[Davo]

I presume they are thinking of arson risk?

I don't think one doormat of the type they produce nowadays would do much damage to a 30 mins set.

As has been said, it should be a judgement call

davo

[kurnal]

Its all about control. For the most part a doormat presents no appreciable risk but as morph says one persons doormat becomes someone elses curtains and cupboard and pram and rubbish bin and motorbike and so it goes on. Zero tolerance is manageable, controlling the risk is difficult time consuming and mega hassle.

[William 29]

To be honest, bit surprised the FIA published this without posting a balanced view or opinion on it?

Doormats can be very scary though...they caused me no end of trouble when we fought fires in such premises. 

[nearlythere]

To be honest, bit surprised the FIA published this without posting a balanced view or opinion on it?

Doormats can be very scary though...they caused me no end of trouble when we fought fires in such premises. 

I know of firefighters being attacked by them.

[jayjay]

Just checked Pas 79 no mention of doormats in there?

[William 29]

Just checked Pas 79 no mention of doormats in there?

Well that's good enough for me then it must be right! lol

[colin todd]

The former Mrs Todd once alleged that I treated her as a doormat and she could certainly be a bit firey.  What a load of twaddle. What happened to fire risk assessment.  Dont repy, as the answer will only depress me. Anyhow, as the gentleman is, apparently, one of the UK's leading fire safety experts ( a title I thought Big Al claimed for himself) and he apparently runs of the biggest fire safety companies in the UK I would imagine he must be right. So how dare you question this , Wullie?

[William 29]

The former Mrs Todd once alleged that I treated her as a doormat and she could certainly be a bit firey.  What a load of twaddle. What happened to fire risk assessment.  Dont repy, as the answer will only depress me. Anyhow, as the gentleman is, apparently, one of the UK's leading fire safety experts ( a title I thought Big Al claimed for himself) and he apparently runs of the biggest fire safety companies in the UK I would imagine he must be right. So how dare you question this , Wullie?

Colin, I consider myself reprimanded and I promise to try not to put such a reckless and stupid comment on the forum again.

[colin todd]

Exactly, plus the gentleman was apparently in the Scots Guards.