Fire safety is one of the most important considerations for any home, and it will have been one of the key principles involved in building yours. However, if you think you may be at a particularly high risk of fire for whatever reason (or if you’d simply like the extra peace of mind), then the good news is that you have plenty of options for fire safety features that you can incorporate into your home. As an experienced timber merchant in Wigan with a wealth of experience to our name here at Sherman & Young Timber, we have a couple of key suggestions on that score – here’s what we’d advise!
Install fire-rated doors for extra protection
One of the simplest and most effective upgrades is the installation of fire-rated doors. These are designed to hold back flames and smoke for a set period – typically 30 or 60 minutes – giving you and your family valuable time to get to safety in the event of a fire. Fire doors are essential in escape routes like landings, staircases, corridors, and hallways, as well as in higher risk areas such as kitchens, storerooms, or workshops.
Here at Sherman & Young Timber, we supply a choice of FD30 timber fire doors that meet British Standards and Building Regulations, so they’re well worth considering if you have any reason to believe that a space in your home might be at a particularly high risk of fire. What’s more, Regular inspection for warping, gaps, or damage is vital for maintaining their effectiveness over time.
Install smoke alarms in every key area
Smoke alarms are essential for any building, but they’re especially crucial in timber-built properties where fire can spread more rapidly. It’s therefore a good idea to install alarms on every floor, in all bedrooms, corridors, offices, and communal areas. It’s better to use a combination of optical and heat alarms to suit different spaces. Heat alarms are suitable for kitchens, boiler rooms, and garages, while optical alarms work well in living areas and sleeping quarters.
Look for mains-powered models with battery backup, and you might want to consider an interconnected system – in other words, when one alarm is triggered, all others sound too. As we’ve just discussed, it’s particularly important to carry out regular maintenance: test your alarms monthly and replace batteries or the entire unit when necessary. Make sure to keep your alarms free of dust and cobwebs, which can affect their sensitivity. In tenanted or multi-use properties, you’ll want to ensure alarms comply with the latest legal requirements.
Use fire-retardant treatments on timber
If your building features exposed timber – beams, cladding, soffits, or panelling – it’s well worth treating them with fire-retardant treatments. These which can be applied on-site, or used to pre-treat your timber before delivery. They’re often clear or lightly tinted, preserving the timber’s natural finish while offering essential fire protection. For structural applications like roof trusses or partition studwork, pressure-impregnated treatments offer long-term resistance embedded deep into the timber. Don’t forget to check the product’s Euroclass rating, and ensure it’s suitable for the intended use, whether internal or external.
Create safe escape routes with compliant materials
All properties – whether they’re residential, commercial, or mixed-use – need clear, unobstructed escape routes. In timber-framed buildings, it’s vital that those escape paths are constructed with materials that can resist fire long enough to support safe evacuation.
We supply timber-based panels and components that meet UK fire resistance requirements for structural applications, such as our MDF fire retardant sheets. Whether you’re building staircases, corridor partitions, fire hatches, or emergency exits, you can combine the practicality and character of timber with the necessary fire performance. By the same token though, you’ll also need to ensure that they’re used alongside general good practice when it comes to fire safety – for example, escape routes always need to be kept free of obstructions.
Those are just a couple of our key suggestions – you may well be able to think of more of your own! In the meantime, of course, if you ever need any help with fire safety features, you can enjoy many of the above at the very best prices here at Sherman & Young Timber. We’ve been supplying top-quality timber across Wigan, Manchester, Liverpool and the wider Lancashire area for over 50 years. As trusted timber merchants in Ashton-in-Makerfield, we’re proud to be the go-to timber yard in Wigan. Whether you’re searching for timber merchants in Wigan, timber merchants in Liverpool or anywhere in between, we’re here to make sure you get exactly what you need.
You can take a look at our full range of timber products here on our website, or if you’re not sure what you need, give our friendly team a call on 01942 727 314 – we’re always here to chat and help out!
