Who Was To Blame? Not me! - Seals for fire, smoke, weather ... protection/bwf/BWF-WIS CERTIFIRE FA… · Who Was To Blame? Not me! ... Fire Doors are required in almost every building

Who Was To Blame?Not me!

How often do you hear the words “Who was responsible? Someone must have been to

blame” when you learn of a serious fire reported in the papers or on TV?

One of the most important ways to prevent the spread of fire and stop the blame game is

to correctly specify, install, maintain and inspect fire doors. So if everyone involved in the

lifespan of a fire door recognised the potential consequences of their choices and actions, and

took responsibility for them, then all fire doors would do their job in protecting human life and

property.

Just another door?Fire doors are the unsung heroes of fire safety. Most of the time they work just like any other

door. But when a fire breaks out, they need to work as an engineered safety device. All the

components have to work together to hold back the lethal spread of smoke and flame for a

specified time to allow time for escape and for the fire and rescue service to do their job.

There’s a surprising lack of awareness and understanding of fire doors and how they work,

even amongst those who have dealt with and checked them for many years. And those

responsible for specifying, buying, installing or inspecting them are not always aware that

if the wrong components (for example, the wrong type of door closer) are used, the door’s

performance can be compromised.

This lack of understanding can lead to short cuts and penny-pinching. It’s only when

a fire breaks out that the potentially lethal consequences are realised, often with

devastating results.

Who should ensure that fire doors are fitted

and working correctly?Because no one wants to take responsibility the lines become blurred through the

various stages of the process, even through inspection.

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme has developed the Circle of Responsibility,

an easy way of describing the process that can lead to potentially lethal sub-standard fire

doors. The term is intended to alert all those involved in the process to the fact that, without a

definitive specification or recommendation right at the start, cost considerations, ignorance and

quick fix solutions could override safety when it comes to decisions about fire doors. The Circle

of Responsibility ensures everyone gets it right, without blaming the next person.

BWF-CERTIFIRE Fact Card

Who Was To Blame?

November 2012

Each stage in the Circle is crucial.

Here’s what you can do.

Architect or specifier

Specifiers have the power to prevent decisions which might be based on cost, rather than

safety, being taken further down the line by insisting upon third-party certificated fire doors. With

a wide range of third-party certificated designs at competitive prices there is no reason not to set

the standard at this all-important point in the decision-making process.

Merchant

There are now around 100 BWF Approved Fire Door Centres at builders’ merchants, with staff

trained to understand fire doors, their components and the relevant building regulations. Every

BWF Approved Fire Door Centre commits to stocking the right ranges of compatible fire door

components.

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme also commits to keeping AFDCs up to date on changes in

legislation and the industry.

Inspector or building control officer

door

Building Control Officers bear the final responsibility for checking and assessing fire doors, as

part of the signing off procedure for a building. The only way to be absolutely sure that a fire

door will do its job is if the assembly, as described in the original test report, is replicated.

Contractor, door fitter or installer

Contractors, fitters or installers need to ensure that the door matches the requirements on

the architect’s drawings, and complies with the building regulations. If a fire door is not fitted

correctly, it is just an ordinary door.

Responsible person / facilities manager

Fire Door Inspection Scheme

In line with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, facilities and office managers must

ensure that fire doors are properly maintained. The BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme recommends that

fire door repairs are carried out only by accredited competent persons who are able to maintain

the certification of the fire door.

By adopting a circle of responsibility you involve everyone and ensure there are no compromises.

For more information, telephone 0844 209 2610, email [email protected] or visit the

BWF-CERTIFIRE website on www.bwfcertifire.org.uk.

For fire door inspections visit www.fdis.co.uk

Fire door signage is required

on both sides of any door

located in a public building.

Wessex Intumescent Supplies Limited

Email: [email protected] Web: www.wis-ltd.com

GIVING YOU THE FACTS

ABOUT BUILDING

REGULATIONS

Guiding you tosafety

Fire Doors are required in almost every building built in the UK according to the requirements of the

relevant national fire safety regulations. English and Welsh Building Regulations, are divided into Parts, with

corresponding Approved Documents providing guidance as to how to achieve the requirements of each

part. Building Regulations in Scotland are divided into Technical Handbooks and in Northern Ireland into

Technical Booklets.

The following information is based on the England and Wales Building Regulations. The Regulations

in Scotland and Northern Ireland only containing minor differences. The table overleaf indicates which

regulations affect fire doors and gives clarification on where to find the corresponding information for

Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Approved Document B – Fire SafetyThe principal regulation and guidance affecting fire doors is contained in Approved Document B : 2006

edition incorporating 2010 amendments : Volumes 1 and 2. These specifically cover fire safety guidance for

buildings in which fire doors play a unique role.

Where should fire doors be fitted?The guidance requires that a building is divided into compartments, protecting escape routes, such as

corridors and staircases.

In domestic dwellings above two levels, every door leading to the stairwell (at all levels) must be a fire door,

where the door leads to a habitable room. (i.e not a bathroom or w/c). Fire doors are also required in loft

conversions; between house and integral garage; and between the business and residential elements in a

mixed-use building.

For non-domestic buildings, guidance is divided into two sections based on horizontal and vertical escape

routes.

What fire resistance period should be required*?In a compartment wall that separates buildings, the fire door must match the fire resistance period of the

wall containing the door with a minimum period of 60 minutes. In all other situations, a 30 minute fire

door (FD30) is allowed. Approved Document B identifies the use of 20 minute fire doors (FD20) in some

circumstances. However, the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme recommends that any fire door should be designed

to last a minimum of 30 minutes, so an FD20 is no longer manufactured by Scheme members. (See our

fact card Explaining FD20 and FD30 Fire Doors).

* refer to Table B1 AD B Volume 2


Unit 22, Regent Trade Park, Barwell Lane

Gosport, Hants PO13 0EQ

Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683


Where is signage required?Correct signage is required on all fire doors installed in non-domestic buildings. Signs should be put on both sides

of the door and must clearly indicate that the door is a fire door and any further instructions required such as

“Keep Closed” or “Keep Locked”. Standard signs are generally available from fire door stockists.

Where are smoke seals required?Smoke seals are recommended on doors approaching or protecting escape shafts such as stairs and corridors

and where a door separates a private area from a common space such as a flat front door. Smoke seals are also

recommended on doors in sections of corridors that lead to dead ends. Note: Where smoke seals are required,

the threshold gap must be set at no more than 3 mm.

Approved Document E – Resistance to Sound This document explains the minimum sound resistance performance recommended for buildings of multiple

occupancy. Where a door separates the occupants of a building, for example, the front door of an apartment, the

door must maintain the sound performance requirements. Sound performance of a door is generally based on

the weight, with higher density materials giving more resistance to sound.

Acoustic seals may be required on a fire door, including at the threshold.

Approved Document F – VentilationIn domestic buildings, a ventilation gap totalling 7600 mm² is recommended at the threshold of the door, to allow

air movement throughout the building. This measurement is taken from the highest finished floor covering to the

bottom edge of the door. For a 762 mm wide door, this represents a 10 mm gap, (reducing to 8 mm for a

926 mm wide door). This can be achieved by making an undercut of 10 mm above the fitted floor finish.

For non-domestic buildings, the ventilation requirements are likely to be the responsibility of the heating and

ventilating designer.

Approved Document L – Conservation of fuel and powerWhere a fire door divides a heated and unheated area, it will be required to provide a thermal performance

(energy efficiency) that will control the heat leakage. Examples of this are flats with doors leading to common

corridors, integral garages or external doors.

Approved Document M – Access to and Use of BuildingsThis document introduces a number of recommendations to improve access to and movement through buildings

for disabled persons.

For domestic situations, the minimum clear door opening required when approach can be made head on is

750 mm, which increases to 800 mm if passing through the doorway from a corridor that is 900 mm wide.

For non-domestic buildings, a minimum of 800 mm clear opening is required when the approach can be

made straight-on, which increases to 825 mm if passing through a doorway from a corridor that is 1200 mm

wide.

Access through an external door for non-domestic buildings requires a clear opening of 1000 mm irrespective

of the approach. Measurements for replacement doors in existing, non-domestic buildings are slightly less.

For non-domestic buildings, door opening furniture must contrast visually with the door surface, as must the

leading edge of a door if a hold-open device is used. The frame or architraves should contrast visually with the

surrounding wall so that the exit is clearly identifiable.

For non-domestic buildings where doors need to be opened manually, the opening force at the leading edge of

the door must not exceed 20 N.

Where required vision panels (glazed apertures) should be fitted between 500 mm and 1500 mm from the top

of the floor covering, although a division is allowed between 800 mm and 1150 mm from the floor.

Approved Document N – Glazing safetySafety glass is required in a fire door when located under 1500 mm from floor level or if the smaller dimension of

the glazing area is greater than 250 mm. This applies to both domestic and non-domestic buildings.

For a copy of the regulations and guidance documents please contact the relevant authority. England and Wales – Dept. of Communities and Local

Government – www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations

Scotland – Building Standards in Scotland – www.scotland.gov.uk

Northern Ireland – Technical Booklets – www.buildingcontrol-ni.com

This information is guidance only. Refer to relevant authority before implementation.

Summary of National Fire Safety

Regulations for UK

Regulatory Parts

Performance

England &

Wales –

approved documents

Scotland –

Sections

Northern Ireland –

Technical booklets

Fire Safety B 2 E

Sound E 5 G

Ventilation F 3 K

Thermal L 6 F

Accessibility M 3 R

Safety Glazing N 4 V

Effective clear widths of doors

Direction of approach

of wheelchair

Min. effective clear width

of door leaf (mm)

Direction of approach of wheelchair

Newbuildings

Existingbuildings

Straight-on (without turn or oblique approach)

800 750

At right angles from an access route at least

1500 mm wide

800 750

At right angles from an access route at least

1200 mm wide

825 775

At right angles from an access route at least 900 mm wide

Note: For 900 mm

wide, refers to BS

8300:2008

850(dwellings

only)800

External doors and internal

lobby doors at the entrance of buildings used by the general

public

1000 775

How healthy are your fire doors?

How safe are YOUR fire doors?

Fire doors play a vital role as part of a building’s passive fire protection system. They help sub-

divide a building into compartments, slowing down the spread of fire and smoke and allowing

occupants to either escape the building by keeping escape routes clear of smoke and fire, or

wait for rescue within a protected area.

Manufacturers often make claims that their products are tested and achieve a certain

performance level. But did the products pass that test? And if so, then how do they prove it?

In the UK, all fire door designs should be tested to BS 476 Part 22 or the European equivalent

BS EN 1634 Part 1, to represent how they will function in a fire, and that the manufacturer can

demonstrate that there is evidence supporting the performance of the door.

It is also important for a manufacturer to demonstrate that the products they make are

consistently ‘fit for purpose’ and that passing the fire test wasn’t a one-off event.

Ways of demonstrating fire door performance

There are three ways in which manufacturers describe their compliance.

1. Self-declaration

Where a manufacturer makes their own claim of conformity by stating that the door, doorset or

door component ‘complies with’ or is ‘designed to’ or ‘tested to’ a certain standard.

These claims are no guarantee that products will meet the right standards or that they will

continue to do so. There are an increasing number of fire door manufacturers and component

manufacturers who make such claims.

2. Test certificate

A test certificate tells the purchaser that a company’s products have been tested and they have

a certificate to prove it.

But caution still needs to be taken with this information. It provides only a snapshot of the

product test.

YOUR TEST CERTIFICATE

QUESTIONS

This information has been

independantly approved

by BWF-CERTIFIRE who

certificate our products

for fire safety.


ABOUT FIRE DOOR

CERTIFICATION

3. Third-party certification

Third-party certification tests and verifies a fire door’s design, performance, manufacturing

process and quality assurance from manufacture to installation.

The company is independently audited to ensure that all the management and manufacturing

processes and systems are in place to ensure consistency with the product that was tested.

The product too, is subjected to regular scrutiny, with frequent testing taking place on standard

products to ensure that the test wasn’t just a once-only event.

In the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme, all manufacturers and companies that

are licensed to cut an aperture and glaze doors are third-party accredited.

What to look for on a certificate

It may seem an obvious statement, but the product must relate to its certificate. You may be

surprised to know how many people just accept a certificate without checking it refers to the

actual door or component used. It’s not enough to just obtain a certificate or a photocopy.

In the case of door leaves manufactured under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset

Scheme, the label applied to the top of each door leaf shows the certificate (CF) number of the

original door manufacturer, and if the door was cut with an aperture and glazed by a licensed

converter, a second label denotes their certificate (CAF) number.

You should also ensure that the door is of the correct type as detailed in the certificate, e.g.

panel, flush, moulded panel, etc. If the door is glazed, then the certificate or technical data

sheet should show that this is within the scope of the test evidence and any subsequent

assessments that may have been undertaken.

If the door is to be used in a configuration other than a single leaf with single action hinge, the

test evidence should state that it can be used in that way. Using two single leaf doors installed

as a pair may NOT be covered by the test evidence.

You can download the relevant documents from the CERTIFIRE website.

Test evidence and technical data sheets

The contents of the CF document explain the scope of test evidence relating to the door leaf

design that has been tested, describing all the components that were fitted in the test and

what configurations (SA/SL, SA/DL) etc. It also explains what glazing is permitted.

The data sheet also confirms what seals, hinges, closers and other ironmongery are permitted

under the certification. This information is summarized on the instructions which accompany

every door leaf manufactured under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.

Glazing of fire doors should be only undertaken by the door manufacturer or by a company

authorised and certificated to carry out this work. In this case, the door will carry a second label

stating that the door has either been factory-glazed by the door leaf manufacturer or by their

licensed converter. The licensed converter’s scope of work is also detailed on their certificate

and is designated with a CAF number.

All labelled doors have a unique door number which allows full traceability of the door. The label

should NEVER be removed from the top of the door.

Bespoke doors

Bespoke doors, e.g. replicas of those required for special applications such as Historic

Buildings are certificated and third-party accredited under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and

Doorset Scheme. This is easily achieved because it is the design and type of door that is

tested and certificated, meaning that a range of doors can be manufactured and certificated.

Also, the company’s Quality Management system and Scheme’s audit procedures ensure that

consistency is achieved.

Summary

To ensure fire door safety make sure you ONLY specify or use third-party certificated and

accredited doors, frames and components.

Check that ALL components are compatible with the door’s test evidence.

Check the certificate is relevant to the door and components that are fitted to the door.

Never cut apertures on site.




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683


Mind the gap

Fire Door SealsFire doors play a crucial role in restricting the spread of fire and smoke. If a door is to work effectively in its

normal role the door leaf must be free to move within the frame, and in order to achieve this there must be a

gap around the perimeter. If the gap is too wide, it may compromise the door’s ability to restrict the spread of

fire and smoke.

Intumescent materials and smoke seals play a major role in restricting fire and smoke spread, and hence reduc-

ing incidences of death and injury and reducing property damage.

When do you use fire seals?

The Building Regulations indicate where you need fire doors and that these would need intumescent seals. But

they also indicate those situations where a fire door may also have to prevent smoke leakage, and in those situ-

ations a smoke seal must be fitted. You can buy intumescent seals that combine a smoke seal or you can fit two

separate seals - a fire seal and a separate smoke seal. Fire doors are designated by their required period of fire

resistance, FD30, FD60, FD90 and FD120. Different door configurations could need different sealing solutions.

Single leaf and double leaf doors behave very differently: you should never assume that a sealing system for

single leaf door will give the same performance on double leaf doors.

The Door Gap

The gap between the door leaf and the frame must be suitable for the

intumescent seal fitted. In general, the gap should not exceed 3 mm.

To facilitate the checking of this gap on site, the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire

Door and Doorset Scheme has produced a gap tester which can be

used for this purpose.

The bwfgaptester is available free of charge from the BWF.

Intumescent Fire Seals and Glazing Systems

Intumescent fire resistant seals are also used as part of a glazing system which secures and seals the glass in

fire door vision panels.

FIRE DOOR SEALS

Including:


Fire Door Seals

August 2012


ABOUT FIRE DOOR

SEALS

Intumescent Fire Seals Fire seals contain intumescent material. This material expands when

exposed to heat. When a fire door is exposed to a fire, these seals heat up

and expand to many times their original size, sealing the gap between the

door and the door frame to stop the fire spreading. Intumescent fire seals

are normally fitted into a groove on the door frame,

although they can be fitted into the edge of the door leaf

and are unobtrusive in the day-to-day use of the door.

Properly specified and installed, these seals will lie dormant

for years, only activating when subjected to the high

temperature and pressure conditions of a fire. Seals can be

made from different types of materials, and hence will

activate at different temperatures. It is important, therefore, not to mix one type of seal with another.

Smoke only seals Spreading smoke is a major cause of death and injury in fires, as well as a large contributor to the cost of fire damage,

therefore the containment of smoke is vital. Many of the fire resisting door assemblies used in buildings are also

required to provide a smoke control function.

Fire doors, which also require smoke protection, are designated FD30S, FD60S, FD90S and FD120S.

Smoke seals control the leakage of air and smoke through vulnerable parts of the door, around the perimeter and when

required at the threshold. Unlike intumescent seals, a smoke seal will be in contact with the door leaf each time it opens

and closes.

Types of Smoke Seals: There are two main types of edge seals capable of providing the specified smoke

leakage rates;

1. Deflection or Compression seals, normally fitted to the doorstop to produce contact with

the face of the door.

2. Wiping seals or brush seals fitted in the leaf edge or in the frame opposite the edge, or at the threshold

at the bottom of the door.

Combined Fire and Smoke SealsCombined seals incorporate intumescent material with a smoke seal and allow for

one product to be fitted to perform both fire and smoke protection functions.

Specifying sealsWhen specifying any component for a fire door, including fire seals, it is imperative to follow the manufacturer’s

instructions and specifications for the particular door design. For a single leaf, single acting FD30 door, it may be possible

to interchange intumescent seals with a CERTIFIRE approved seal, but you must replace the whole seal, and not have

mixed types on the same door. However for FD60 and above, the installer must comply with the door manufacturer’s

tested and recommended solution. If seals are required for fire and smoke doors then the seals must not only be

CERTIFIRE approved for fire but additionally for smoke.

If fire and smoke seals are not factory fitted, it is essential to consult the fire door manufacturer to determine exactly

which seal specification has been tested for the particular door assembly.

During the development of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme the BWF Manufacturers decided that, to

ensure the integrity of the fire door assembly, all scheme fire door assemblies should be fitted with intumescent seals.

The companies in the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme, including the suppliers of seals, have all tested

their products in a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited facility and have demonstrated that they

meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.

These companies also voluntarily undergo independent audits to verify the continuing quality and fitness for purpose

of their products. The Manufacturer’s Installation instructions can be found on the fire door or on individual company

websites. The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme directory lists all the scheme’s current members and can

be obtained via the BWF or the BWF website.

CERTIFIRE*Seals that carry the relevant CERTIFIRE approval must be fitted to doors, frames or doorsets supplied by door

manufacturer members of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.

* CERTIFIRE is the independent third-party certification body which carries out type and audit testing of all products

within the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme for fire performance, together with factory production control.

This ensures that the products supplied and installed provide the same level of performance as those tested.

Intumescent fire seal for

use where no smoke

sealing is required

Compression seal

Wiping seal




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683


Some things don’t work on their own

What’s the difference?

Fire doorset

The British Standard BS EN 12519 provides the following definition: ‘complete unit consisting

of a door frame and a door leaf or leaves, supplied with all essential parts from a single source’.

This means that a door leaf is factory pre-hung in its frame, with hinges, glazing system (glass,

seal, bead & fixing), fire and (when required) smoke seals, and ironmongery. It is supplied as a

complete unit.

A fire doorset is a fully finished, engineered unit from a single manufacturer, with all

components matched and pre-assembled in the factory and is covered by a single fire

certificate. When the whole doorset is supplied in individual component parts for assembly on

site, this is often referred to as a door kit.

Fire door assemblies

The British Standard BS EN 12519 provides the following definition: a ‘complete assembly as

installed, including door frame and one or more leaves, together with its essential hardware

supplied from separate sources’.

This means that it is a fire door installation made up from loose, correct, compatible

components – consisting of a door leaf, frame, architraves, glazing system (glass, seal, bead &

fixing), decorative finishes, seals, intumescents, ironmongery and door furniture, sourced from

different suppliers and manufacturers, made up on site into the final door assembly. It is the

ONLY acceptable alternative to a fire doorset.

Is one better than the other?

No. BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme fire doorsets and fire door assemblies will

have compatible components that meet the Building Regulations and will work in the event of

a fire.

So the decision depends on the user’s needs, budget and convenience.

DOORSETS & DOOR

ASSEMBLIES

Including:


ABOUT DOORSETS &

DOOR ASSEMBLIES

Points to Consider

Fire doorset

Compatible components

Fire doorsets are pre-assembled and therefore the manufacturer includes all the correct

components. This guarantees that the entire doorset, including the individual components, will

match the tested design.

It also means that there is less room for error because the compatible components are in place,

so you avoid the problem of having to source correct components individually.

Installation

Fire doorsets tend to be treated more carefully on site, as the initial cost of a doorset is

more expensive than individual components. Doorsets are also easier to install, as it is only a

matter of fitting the assembly to the aperture, following the manufacturer’s simple installation

instructions.

Suitability

Doorsets are ideal for new buildings, as it is just a matter of purchasing the required number

of doorsets. Bespoke doorsets are also suitable for refurbishment projects where the existing

frame is not required.


Compatible components

The components of door assemblies are sourced from different manufacturers, where you can

select from a range of products. If any individual component gets damaged, it can be replaced

from another supplier.

The correct components for door assemblies are listed in the manufacturer’s instructions (they

are also available on the individual company websites), and can be sourced from any BWF

Approved Fire Door Centre or from companies listed in the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and

Doorset Scheme directory.

Further information on compatible components can be obtained by visiting the BWF-CERTIFIRE

website www.bwfcertifire.org.uk

Installation

Any door leaves that are purchased in this way must be fitted in accordance with the test

evidence provided by the manufacturer. For example, a door leaf tested only in a single leaf,

single acting configuration should NOT be installed as a double leaf door. Door assemblies

can be installed sequentially during the different stages of the building process, enabling

components to be stored and protected.

Any doors requiring apertures such as vision panels or air transfer grilles should be prepared

and supplied by a company that is authorised to undertake this work. The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire

Door and Doorset Scheme has members who are certificated to undertake this task. Apertures

should NEVER be cut or glazed on site.

The manufacturer’s installation instructions will provide you with full guidance and information

to ensure correct sourcing and fitting of compatible components to achieve the right

performance level for the fire door assembly.

PurchasingIndependent research by Gleeds found the installed cost of fire doorsets to be less than that

of traditional fire door assemblies, taking account of purchase costs, site installation and

contract handover.

Using door assemblies can be cost effective, in that, each individual component can be sourced

separately at different times, enabling you to stagger the purchasing cost, so long as the

components comply with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and are compatible to the

test evidence of the door leaf.

Manufacturer’s

Instructions

Finishing:

Fire doorsets

These are normally

factory finished and

they can also be

supplied with the

option of applying

the decorative

coating on site.


The decorative coat

is usually applied on

site, which allows

you the flexibility of

choosing the coating,

type and colour.




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683



ABOUT FD20 AND FD30

FIRE DOORS

Spot the difference!

Fire doors are installed in a building to save lives and property in the event of a fire. They are a

specified part of a building’s passive fire protection system. It is essential a fire door performs its vital

task, so specifying the right fire door and installing it correctly can be a life or death responsibility.

Building Regulation Requirements –

Approved Document B (Fire safety)The performance requirements of fire doors or doorsets and their locations within a building are stated

in national Building Regulations. Fire doors help sub-divide a building, even domestic buildings, into

compartments, slowing down the spread of fire and allowing occupants to escape.

The Building Regulations that apply to England and Wales are divided into parts, with Part B specifically

covering fire safety. Each part has an associated Approved Document that provides guidance on how

to achieve the requirements.

The latest revision of Approved Document B came into effect in April 2007 and is divided into two

sections, differentiating between domestic and non-domestic buildings. Flats and apartments are now

considered as non-domestic buildings. The Building Standards (Scotland) Technical Handbook takes a

similar approach. In Northern Ireland, these issues are covered by Building Regulations Part E.

Fire door ratings – proof of performanceAll fire doors must have the appropriate proof of performance for the ratings they carry. This proof is

obtained by subjecting the door to testing to BS 476 Part 22 or to the European equivalent

BS EN 1634 Part 1. The door is tested as a complete assembly, and can only be guaranteed to

replicate the performance if the tested design uses the correct compatible components, including door

frames, seals and essential ironmongery. The certification issued to BWF-CERTIFIRE doors confirms

that the door has been properly tested, and goes beyond this to cover the validity of the design,

manufacture, quality and consistency of production, audit and traceability.

Fire doors must work – and at any timeA fire door is an engineered safety device, and must be installed correctly, using the correct

compatible components recommended by the fire door manufacturer, based on the door’s test

evidence. Since it is impossible to predict if or when a fire will occur, the door MUST continue to work

effectively at all times.

Incorrectly installed fire resisting doors can fail to protect lives and property. This clearly raises serious

ethical issues, as well as significant liabilities for manufacturers, installers and developers alike. If a

door is specified where site conditions and practice mean that the specification cannot be reliably met,

the responsibility is likely to fall on the designer or specifier.

BWF-CERTIFIRE fire door

manufacturers produce

and sell fire resisting doors

suitable for both FD20 and

FD30 applications.

FD20 doors

The Building Regulations Approved Document B identifies minimum fire resistance periods for various

elements of construction, including fire doors. The guidance recommends doors with a fire resistance

period of 20 minutes (FD20) in some instances, and 30 minutes (FD30) in others.

In the distant past, it was possible to obtain a fire door that had a dual classification. Following a test,

this door design could be accepted as an FD30 if installed with intumescent seals, and as an FD20 if

installed without seals.

In developing the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme in 1995, the BWF and the fire door

manufacturers noted when testing dual rated doors that, in order to meet an FD20 rating without

intumescent seals, the door had to be fitted very accurately into its frame, with little margin for error.

This would be difficult to achieve consistently on site. Furthermore, this accurate fit would have to be

maintained during the service life of the door assembly.

This reliability could only be achieved with doors fitted with intumescent seals; the safe practice is to

have side and top edge seals in place for both FD20 and FD30 requirements.

It was decided from the Scheme’s inception that its door manufacturing members would no longer test

and sell an FD20 fire door except with intumescent seals fitted. Typically this determines that an FD30

product is in fact used for both levels of performance.

Why seals are required

For a door to work effectively, the door leaf must be free to move within the frame. In order to do this

there must be a gap around the perimeter which may compromise the door’s ability to restrict the

spread of fire. Intumescent seals expand to fill the gap when subjected to heat.

As with all engineered safety products, a “factor of safety” is required

In site conditions it is very difficult to guarantee precise, accurate work and hence doors will often not

be able to meet the strictly controlled conditions of a laboratory test. Gaps may be larger around doors

– they may be slightly out of square or uneven. Intumescent seals are used to provide this factor of

safety.

To ensure the safety and reliability of every fire door, always fit intumescent seals. You cannot rely

solely on active fire protection, such as smoke detectors. Passive protection provided by a correctly

installed and properly maintained fire door is always there when needed. Fire and hot gases can easily

pass through gaps around the door within seconds. By then, it’s too late.

Remember – 1 in 12 fires spreads from where the fire started to other rooms in the building.

SUMMARY

Fire doors – they’re YOUR responsibility

To see what happens when doors are fitted incorrectly or for further help and advice on fire doors and

doorsets visit the BWF website.

You may also wish to refer to other relevant Fact Cards in this series

Fact Card – Intumescent seals for fire doors

Fact Card – Fire Door Ironmongery

MIRROR DEVICE




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683



ABOUT FIRE SAFETY

ORDER

Assess the risks

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all buildings other than domestic housing,

and replaces 118 pieces of previous fire legislation, including the old fire certificate. The law now shifts

responsibility from the fire authorities for fire safety to whoever has day-to-day control of premises. Each

business must appoint a responsible person, whether it be the owner, manager, facilities manager or

an expert consultant to manage the fire risk to the building, including those using the premises and its

immediate surroundings.

The emphasis of the Fire Safety Order is on preventing fires and reducing risk. The Department of

Communities and Local Government, which is responsible for the legislation, divides all non-domestic

buildings in to 11 sections, producing a detailed guide for each. The guides are developed to inform the

responsible person how to comply with RRO or FSO as it is known, by helping to carry out a fire risk

assessment of the building and identifying the fire precautions which need to be implemented. The guides,

available for download from www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/regulatoryreformfire, have

been written for people who have limited training and experience in undertaking a risk assessment, but if

you are unsure on how to complete it, you should contact a trained professional.

Risk assessments

A risk assessment is an organised look at what, in your work activities and workplace, could cause harm

to people. In the case of a fire, it is identifying possible causes of fire, the precautions you need to take to

prevent something igniting and, in the event of a fire how to reduce the risk to the occupants, building and

its contents. There are five key steps to undertaking a risk assessment (see right).

Fire doors

Fire doors are designed to contain a fire to a single compartment of a building, therefore reducing the risk to

those in other compartments.

rating.

complete the maintenance checklist (see over) to ensure your fire doors are still in working order.

usage buildings.

visit www.bwfcertifire.org.uk

REMEMBER a simple checklist, and does not form a full inspection of the doors. These should be

undertaken by competent personnel who are trained to carry out such tasks.

For more information visit the Fire Door Inspection Scheme: www.fdis.co.uk

FIRE SAFETY ORDER

5 key steps to

undertaking a risk

assessment:

Label (use your bwfgaptester to look for the label)

Door leaf

Door frame

Contact us for our freely available bwfgaptester

Intumescent/smoke/acoustic seals

Hinges

Door closers

Lock and latch

Glazing and glass

Threshold gap

Is there a consistent gap under the door that allows it to swing without touching

If the door leaf is fitted with a threshold seal, does the seal make contact with the floor

Fire Safety Order

Guides

www.firesafetyguides.

communities.gov.uk

BWF Gap Tester/Label Checker

MIRROR DEVICE


GIVING YOU THE FACTS ABOUT

GLAZING OF 30-MINUTE FIRE

DOORS (FD-30)

Don’t crack when the heat is on

Many timber doors include glazed apertures, either as a design feature or in order to comply with Building

Regulations.

However, when the door is a fire door, all the elements of the glazed aperture must, when used together,

be capable of withstanding the fire. They must not reduce the overall effectiveness of the door in holding

back a fire.

This fact card is intended to provide some basic essential information on the correct way to specify and

use glazed apertures in 30-minute fire doors (FD 30). It tells you what to look for and how to ensure that

you are using the correct life-protecting materials.

Fire DoorsMost fire doors manufactured in the UK are manufactured as fire door leaves. Before they are installed,

many will be modified in some way, whether by the addition of a door frame, the insertion of a glazed

aperture or other types of apertures, (e.g. for hardware, air transfer grilles, and letter plates) or, ideally,

conversion into a complete fire doorset.

Glazed apertures provide added safety in everyday use and in the event of a fire they aid detection of fire

and smoke, whilst providing visibility to potential escape routes.

The size and positioning of apertures is very important, as this will ultimately have a bearing upon the

behaviour of the fire door assembly in the event of a fire.

Under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme, apertures are permitted to be cut by companies licensed and audited

to undertake such work. These doors carry an additional label showing the certification number of the

company carrying out the work. Doors glazed by the door manufacturer will also be labeled to show it was

factory glazed.

Cutting apertures for glazing and other apertures in a fire door on site is NOT permitted, even by an

approved aperture cutter, under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.

Glazing pre-cut apertures in fire doors on site is permitted, but MUST be undertaken by a trained

and competent installer in accordance with the instructions provided by the door manufacturer.

The BWF recommends that fire doors should only be glazed by certificated members of the

BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme or by registered installers such as FIRAS, in order to maintain the door’s

full certification.

Key Elements (see component details in adjacent side panel

overleaf)The following elements are essential for the success of any properly installed glazed aperture in a

30-minute (FD 30) fire door assembly.

Apertures – only certain door types are designed to perform with glazed apertures. Make sure that any

aperture has been properly formed, either by the original door manufacturer, or by one of his approved

“aperture cutters or Licenced Convertors”.

If the aperture is cut in an unsuitable door type, or by someone who does not recognise the correct procedure

and materials, the whole fire resistant property of the door leaf may be destroyed and the door’s certification

will be nullified.

Depending on the door construction, an aperture liner of wood or intumescent material may be needed.

If a door is suitable for glazed apertures, the door manufacturer should indicate the relevant:

In every case, the door manufacturer must be able to supply evidence that he holds test certification for an

aperture in the specific door design.

If this cannot be provided, there is no proof that the installation would work in a fire, and the inspecting

authority may refuse to accept it.

Glass – a specialist fire glass must be used. There are four quite separate types of fire glass, each of which

for one specific glass may be suitable for a different glass, unless the manufacturer can provide his own test

evidence or certification.

The fire glass types are:

– borosilicate, ceramic etc.

The door manufacturer should specify:

Beads and Fixings

whole of the required time period.

angled beads are shown in the diagram, some glass types will permit the use of flat timber beads)

Glazing seals – Whatever glazing medium is used, it must hold test certification for the particular panel size

and application within the door design and be appropriate and compatible with the chosen glass type.

The seals between the glass and beads on each side may take the form of:

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme Directory provides a complete list of fully certificated

manufacturers and suppliers. Details can be found on the BWF-CERTIFIRE website at www.bwfcertifire.org.uk

For more detailed information on a specific door or glazing, please contact the door manufacturer or glass

manufacturer, who will hold full details of test certification.

Glazing in FD60 fire doors –The use of vision panels in 60-minute timber fire doors (FD 60) is a completely

Contact the door manufacturers or glass manufacturers who offer FD 60 products for specific details.

produced by the Glass and Glazing Federation. Contact the GGF at www.ggf.org.uk

Typical FD 30 fire door glazing

components



Is your metal in tune?

Ironmongery on fire doors

Just like any passive or active fire protection system, it is essential for a fire door

to perform its vital task in the event of a fire.

A fire door is not just the door leaf. It consists of the frame, any glazing, the

intumescent fire and smoke seals and all the ironmongery.

Ironmongery includes all the items that are used on a fire door, such as the hinges,

overhead door closers, latches, locks and handles.

These components are crucial when making up a fire doorset.

The fire door will not work in the event of a fire unless all the correct ironmongery

has been fitted and maintained!

All ironmongery needs to be certificated and compatible with the fire door. If not,

then the fire door will not provide its true performance level.

Selection of ironmongery

Every fire door designed and manufactured under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and

Doorset Scheme has been independently tested and certificated to prove that, all

things being equal, it operates reliably in normal use and in the event of a fire.

Fire doors can only be tested as complete assemblies. The specific ironmongery

may only be reliable and compatible with the particular fire door assembly with

which it has been tested.

All certificated ironmongery products are then issued with a certificate number.

Fire door leaves and ironmongery are often sold separately.

They are then bought separately – THIS IS WHERE THE DANGER LIES!!

It is absolutely crucial that when selecting ironmongery that only certificated and

compatible ironmongery is selected.

THE CRUCIAL

COMPONENTS

Including:


ABOUT IRONMONGERY

ON FIRE DOORS

Maintenance of ironmongery

All ironmongery needs to be regularly checked.

Hinges

Check that there is no visible wear on the hinge. Any dark marks or stains around the hinge knuckle

could indicate wear and impending failure, meaning that the hinges should be replaced as soon as

possible. (Figure 1)

Door closing devices

Check that the door closing device is operating correctly. Ensure that the doors are not being

wedged open. Open the door fully and check it closes without binding on the floor. Open the door

to approximately 5 degrees and again check that it closes fully, overcoming any latch or seal. Check

door closing speed to be approximately 10 seconds from 90 degrees and ensure that the door does

not slam. Adjust speeds as necessary.

Electro-magnetic hold-open and swing-free devices

Make sure that any electro-magnetic hold-open device is operating correctly and releases

immediately when power is removed.

Locks and lever handles

Check that the levers fully return to the horizontal after use and that the latchbolt is engaging

smoothly and completely into the strike. Wipe any metal dust deposits off the latchbolt and

strikeplate. Adjust, lubricate or replace, as required. (Figure 2)

All ironmongery

Make sure that all fixings are secure. Some hinges, closer arms and locks may require lubrication.

(see manufacturer’s installation instructions).

CE marking of ironmongery (Figure 3)

CE Marking is required under the Construction Products Directive (CPD) to confirm that

construction products, which are placed on the market within Europe, meet the Essential

Requirements set out in the CPD:

– Mechanical Stability

– Fire Safety

– Health & Environmental Safety

– Sound Protection

– Energy Efficiency

CE Marking allows a simple route to satisfying the Construction Products Regulations which

apply the Directive and its requirements in the UK.

CE Marked hinges, tested to BS EN 1935, should be used on fire or smoke doors and on all

escape routes.

CE Marking of door closing devices, electro-magnetic closing devices and door

co-ordinators tested to BS EN 1154/55/58 has been required since 2004.

BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme

All ironmongery manufacturers within the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme have

had their relevant product ranges tested.

This is the first step to ensuring you use the correct compatible ironmongery for the fire door

design – you must ensure that the ironmongery is certificated.

Always ensure that you fit the correct compatible components as per the fire door manufacturer’s

installation instructions.

Ensure the ironmongery is maintained regularly in accordance with the ironmongery

manufacturer’s recommendations.

Details of compatible components are available from the BWF and are explained in the

manufacturer’s installation, care & maintenance instructions attached to every door

manufactured by members of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683


A fire door is for life, look after yours

Why is it important to maintain a fire door? Just like any passive or active fire protection system, it is essential for a fire door to perform its

vital task in the event of a fire.

As with any similar life-saving product, a fire door should be regularly checked to

ensure it functions properly and is ready to use. It is exactly the same as testing the

battery of a smoke alarm or having the pressure of a fire extinguisher checked regularly.

Most of the time, a fire door is used like any other door, and is subject to the day-to-day wear

and tear of opening and closing as people pass through. The building and the surrounding

environment can also change and affect the door. It is important to check if regular use or

changes to the surroundings affect it in any way.

Any slight alteration to the door or its surroundings can affect the performance of the door.

This can result in a half-hour fire door lasting a lot less.

So, once a fire door has been installed correctly, it needs to be maintained regularly to ensure

that everything is in working order.

Periodic checks should be carried out at least once every six months. Newly occupied

buildings may require more frequent checks in the first year of use. Where a door is heavily

used, it should be checked every three months.

Fire door inspections should be undertaken by competent personnel who are trained to carry out

such tasks. For more information visit the Fire Door Inspection Scheme: www.fdis.co.uk

Follow the instructions Every fire door produced by a BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme Manufacturer is

supplied with the Installation, Care & Maintenance Instructions. These instructions will tell you

how and when to maintain that particular door.

As a helpful guide to some of the most important points to be considered, we have

listed overleaf the key areas you should include in your periodic maintenance checks.

Where there is a high occupancy use in buildings, the BWF recommends the setting up of a

team to carry out regular inspections on the issues raised by this Fact Card.

ONCE THEY’RE FITTED...

DON’T JUST FORGET

ABOUT THEM!

Including:


ABOUT MAINTENANCE

OF FIRE DOORS

Maintenance Checklist

Door leaf and frame

The door and frame must remain square and should not be able to distort between the stiles, top

and frame. The gaps must not be greater than those specified in the manufacturer’s installation

instructions. This is also true for the meeting stiles of double doors. Contact the BWF for our handy

bwfgaptester to help you check the gap and find the BWF-CERTIFIRE label.

If the door leaves have minor surface damage, then these can be repaired. However, if there are any

major defects in either the door leaves or the frame, they must be replaced.

Glazed apertures

If the glass is cracked or broken, then it must be replaced immediately. If it is not replaced then in

the event of a fire, the smoke and gases will travel through the glass, which means that the fire door

will not last its fire rating.

Intumescent fire and smoke seals

If seals have been badly fitted or are damaged, then they must be replaced with the same type that

was originally specified. If the smoke seals have to be replaced, then they should be fitted in one

continuous length if possible. If fixed piecemeal, they could potentially leak at the joints. You must

remember that loose smoke seals left flapping can damage a fire door beyond repair.

Closing and opening devices

With a self-closing device, open the door fully and check it closes without binding on the floor. Open

the door to approximately 5 degrees and again check that it closes fully, overcoming any latch or

seal. Check door closing speed to be approximately 10 seconds from 90 degrees and ensure that

the door does not slam. Adjust speeds as necessary. Ensure that doors are not being wedged open.

Make sure that door hold-open devices are not straining the doors against their self-closing devices.

A closer fitted at the top of the door should have the hold-open device fitted at the top of the door. A

floor spring at the foot of the door should have the hold-open device fitted at the bottom.

Check that mechanical hold-open devices have not been fitted. Hold-open devices on fire doors

should be electro-magnetic, and connected directly to the fire detection and alarm system, so that

they can be released automatically if there is a fire. If fitted, make sure that any electro-magnetic

hold-open device is operating correctly and releases immediately when power is removed.

All ironmongery

Make sure that all fixings are secure. Some hinges, closer arms and locks might require

lubrication. REMEMBER, where required YOU MUST REPLACE COMPONENTS LIKE-FOR-LIKE,

ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION.

Hinges – Check that there is no visible wear. Any dark marks or stains around the hinge knuckle

could indicate wear and impending failure, meaning the hinges should be replaced as soon as

possible.

Locks and lever handles – Check that the levers fully return to the horizontal after use and that

the latchbolt is engaging smoothly and completely into the strike. Wipe any metal dust deposits

off the latchbolt and strikeplate. Adjust, lubricate or replace as required.

Mandatory safety signs

BS 5499 lays down standards for the size and siting of Fire Door Safety Signs. Signs should be

fitted on all non-domestic fire doors and be visible at eye level. If these have been tampered with or

removed, they must be replaced.

Cleaning

Fire doors are finished with a variety of facings which require different methods of cleaning. The

manufacturer’s instructions will give full details.

You must ensure that the BWF-CERTIFIRE label is in place. You will find it either on top of the door,

or just below the bottom hinge if it is a doorset. This must never be tampered with in any way,

including painting over it, as doing so will invalidate the certification. In this situation, contact the

manufacturer directly and inform them so they can act accordingly. The building managers should

have their details on record.




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683



ABOUT PASSIVE FIRE

PROTECTION

Your silent guard

The primary purpose of fire protection planning is to safeguard human life. In 2010–11, over

11,000 people were either killed or injured in a fire. The plan also seeks to protect property

by reducing the amount of physical damage caused, and so reducing the financial loss and

disruption to business or family life. The most effective approach to maximising the fire safety

of buildings, is to implement a planned combination of both passive and active measures.

The unique role of passive fire protection

The principle behind passive fire protection is to divide a building into individual fire

compartments, constructed and lined with suitable fire resisting materials to reduce the spread

of fire. If a fire should occur, the structure is protected as the fire is contained for a period of

time within one compartment, thus reducing fire spread through the building by limiting the

movement of flame and smoke. Containment of fire through effective passive fire protection

serves to minimise the damage caused by a fire by protecting the escape routes to ensure that

the building’s occupants can leave the building safely.

PASSIVE FIRE

PROTECTION

Including:

Active and passive fire protection working together

Passive fire protection is based on the principle of containment. Products are built into the fabric of

the building, and so rarely obvious to the untrained eye. These products then resist fire or burn at a

slow predictable rate to reduce the penetration of a fire for a recommended period of time.

People are more aware of active protection systems, such as alarms, water sprinklers and fire

extinguishers. They are visible and it is easy to understand how they work to control a fire. This

often leads on to assuming that active systems are the most effective means to increase fire safety

in a building. In fact, in many cases active systems assume that passive systems are already part of

the building, and are designed to work in combination with them.

The best fire protection plan will have both active and passive fire protection methods working

together. By using an early warning system, containing a fire to a small compartment and providing

methods of controlling or extinguishing a fire, you have the most effective method of protecting

lives and property.

The role of a fire door in passive fire protection

A fire door has a critical role to play in any passive fire protection plan. A doorway is considered

a weak point in containing a fire as it represents a break in the fire protection products within

the wall. A door also requires a gap between the frame and the leaf and often includes metal

components that conduct heat.

A fire door is an engineered safety device that requires all of its components to fulfill their roles for

the door to achieve its function. A door closer ensures the door leaf remains shut, while the hinges

and latch will hold the door tightly in the frame. Intumescent seals also need to go off when a fire

breaks out to close the frame to door leaf gap. Smoke seals can be added where required to restrict

the flow of smoke. Apertures cut into fire doors, such as for vision panels, air transfer grilles or for

letter boxes are also a potential weak point of a fire door, so it is essential that any glazing or other

types of apertures are secured using intumescent sealing systems and that the work is only carried

out by a licensed converter.

It is vital that these components follow the tested design. For details of which components are

required with which door, you will need to refer to the installation instructions attached to each leaf.

Third-party certification of fire doors

To ensure best practices in passive and active fire protection, the BWF recommends the use of

third-party certificated products. Through this the customer and enforcement authorities can be

confident the goods supplied and installed are fit for purpose. Third-party certification involves the

testing of the door as a complete assembly, including door leaf, frame, ironmongery, intumescents

seals and glazing. But it goes further than just certification of the door leaf, regular testing and

audits are required to complete the certification process and certificates are issued, indicating the

scope of the certification. It is these measures which ensure the product supplied to the contractor

meets and maintains the guaranteed quality of the original design.

Why insist on BWF-CERTIFIRE fire doors

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme, established by the fire door manufacturing

industry, aims to promote the importance of using certificated fire doors as vital component of

any passive fire plan. Through the Scheme, members can obtain a guarantee of the product they

are using through assessment and certification of the design and production process and regular

auditing. The Scheme offers clear and simple methods of tracing a fire door back through all stages

of manufacture to ensure the quality of manufacture and maintain the certification. It also acts to

bring together fire door manufacturers, their suppliers, door converters, merchants and installers to

work in an alliance across the supply chain.

The whole purpose of the Scheme is to give confidence in the quality and performance of fire doors

to specifiers, enforcement authorities, building owners and occupiers. The Scheme’s certification

partner, CERTIFIRE, the fire certification arm of Warrington Certification Ltd, audits, tests and

verifies a fire door’s design, performance, manufacturing process and the associated procedures,

quality assurance, and the audit trail from manufacture to installation. It also checks that the frame

and compatible components used in the test are used in the fire door assembly.

Fire door in action

Fire door test certificate

BWF Gap Tester/Label Checker

MIRROR DEVICE




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683


GIVING YOU THE

FACTS ABOUT

REGULATION 38


Regulation 38

October 2012

or just passing the buck?Regulation 38 is a requirement under the Building Regulations for England and Wales to provide

fire safety information to the ’responsible person’ at the completion of a project, or when the

building or extension is first occupied.

It links the Building Regulations to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (known as

the RRO or FSO) which places the responsibility of fire safety onto the ‘responsible person’.

The law now shifts responsibility for fire safety from the fire authorities to whoever has

day-to-day control of premises that come under the RRO. Each business must appoint a

responsible person, whether it is the owner, facilities manager or an expert consultant, to

manage the fire risk to the building (e.g. of a hospital / school / flats), and to people using the

building, or its immediate surroundings.

Regulation 38 compliance for fire doors When it comes to fire doors in a building, the guidance is not specific about the information that

should be provided.

However, in order for the responsible person to carry out their role effectively, and to help in

future inspections and maintenance of fire doors, it is important that the correct information

concerning the fire door assembly is handed to them.

Please note, the term “fire door” always refers to the complete door assembly, not just the

door leaf.

Fire doorsFire doors play a vital role in the fire safety of buildings. Their correct specification, installation

and maintenance is paramount to the safety of all those who use the building.

A fire door assembly is made up of components which are required to make it perform correctly

in the event of a fire. These components include the door leaf, frame, seals and essential

building hardware which are referred to in the door’s fire test evidence. Using the wrong

components may have a significant effect on the overall performance of the fire door.

It is essential, then, that the information relating to all the components used in the fire door

assembly is handed over to the responsible person, since this will be necessary in future

inspections and any maintenance which may be required.

Who should receive

information?

The contractor is

responsible for handing

over the correct information

to the client or their

appointed representative,

and this could vary

considerably according to

the nature of the building or

contract. Typical recipients

are likely to be a Health and

Safety or Environmental

Health Officer , client’s

surveyor or architect, or

building project manager

responsible for the final

sign-off of the building

contract.

In turn, the client should

then provide the relevant

information to the

“Responsible Person”.

For further information on

the Regulatory Reform (Fire

Safety) Order refer to our

“Fire Safety Order” Fact

Card

Passing on the right fire safety details?...

Understanding Regulation 38Where a building is erected, extended, or has undergone a material change of use, and the

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to that building or extension, Regulation

38 requires that a package of fire safety information which records the fire safety design of the

building or extension must be assembled and given to the responsible person for the premises.

The fire safety information provided should include all fire safety design measures in appropriate

detail and with sufficient accuracy to assist the responsible person to operate and maintain

the building safely. Where a fire safety strategy or a preliminary fire risk assessment has been

prepared these should also be included.

The exact amount of information and level of detail necessary will vary depending on the nature

and complexity of the building’s design. Appendix G of Approved Document B, Volume 2, 2006

edition (with 2007 and 2010 amendments) provides a guide for the type of information that should

be provided which will depend on the complexity of the building. This information includes, among

other details, the locations of:

You can trust BWF-CERTIFIRE

door to enable traceability. Any glazed doors will have an additional label stating whether the door

leaf has been glazed by the door manufacture, or by a company licensed to undertake this work.

In the latter case, the label will show information relating to the licensed converter including their

All door leaves and doorsets are supplied with the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance

instructions, providing details of the correct components that should be fitted to that particular

door.

It is however important to check that information is provided in its original form and relates to the

actual installed product.

Make sure you pass on the correct safety information; someone’s life may depend on it.

Use this simple

checklist to ensure

you have the correct

information at

handover:

1. The location and

rating of every fire

door in the building.

2. The fire door

certificate – which

MUST be relevant

to the installed fire

door.*

3. The type of seal

(intumescent / smoke

seal / acoustic) fitted

to the door or frame.

4. Details of the door

frame (hardwood,

softwood, MDF etc.)

and how that relates

to the fire door test.

5. Details of hinges,

closers and other

essential building

and how that relates

to the fire door test.

6. Maintenance

information for each

component, including

the door leaf.

7. Frequency of

inspection and

maintenance,

depending on

expected usage of the

door.

* See our “fire door

certification” Fact Card

for further information.

Useful linksThe Planning Portal - Building Regulations (Fire Safety) FAQs

www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb

The Planning Portal - Approved Document B : 2006 : Volume 2

www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/bcapproveddocumentsb/

The Planning Portal - Regulation 38

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/regulation/38

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

www.communities.gov.uk/fire/firesafety/firesafetylaw/

BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme – www.bwfcertifire.org.uk

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme – www.fdis.co.uk




Tel: 01329 221111 Fax: 0800 731 4683
