November/December 2021

Fire Doors
CORRECT INSTALLATION SAVES LIVES
Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), explores how fire door
installers can ensure compliance ahead of the new Building Safety Bill and highlights the
vital importance of correct installation to maintain fire door certification and performance.
The Building Safety Bill, announced earlier
this year in the House of Commons, will
introduce a new regime and place a greater
focus on safety throughout the life of a building.
A key component of the Bill is a requirement
for the accountable person to retain fire and
structural safety information, often known as the
‘golden thread’. This increases the requirements
for the exchange of fire safety information
currently outlined in the Building Regulations
and means that information, including material
product details, will need to be digitally stored
and updated throughout the building’s life span.
By providing access to these files, stakeholders
throughout the building’s lifecycle will be able to
access crucial details about the critical features
of a building that will enable effective inspection
and maintenance of these components to ensure
the building’s safety.
Ensuring compliance
Fire door third-party certification is a robust
process which means that the fire door
manufacturer or processor is audited by an
independent party to provide evidence that the
fire door is appropriately tested, and produced to
a consistent standard.
For BWF Fire Door Alliance members this involves
meeting strict criteria of an initial programme
of fire testing and auditing of the manufacturing
process and quality management systems, which
are then confirmed by regular testing and auditing
of the manufacturer’s systems and procedures.
This provides vital proof of performance and
ensures that the initial tests were not a one-off
result, offering specifiers, installers and buildingusers
peace of mind that the fire door will
perform as designed in the event of a fire.
In addition, third-party certification provides
complete traceability and visibility of the fire door’s
journey through the supply chain – which is a
crucial part of the upcoming Building Safety Bill.
Fire doors manufactured or processed by a BWF
Fire Door Alliance member have an identifying label
or plug (in accordance with the chosen certification
scheme) fixed to the door. This features a
unique number, allowing for full traceability by
the manufacturer or licensed processor and
gives access to certification and specification
information, as well as production records.
For ongoing maintenance, this means that the
original fire certificate can be located, and on-site
checks and repairs can be carried out against the
fire door’s original standards.
The importance of correct installation
A third-party certified fire door can offer many
benefits, however if it’s not installed correctly, it will
not perform as its designed to in the event of a fire.
Installation of a fire door is as critical as the
product specification, so should only be carried
out by a competent individual who’s trained to
install fire doors. A fire door should always be
supplied with installation instructions from the
manufacturer that are specific to the product.
This is important as installation methods and
materials can be different depending on a number
of factors, including the installation environment
and product type.
When installing a fire door there are several
crucial things to remember. For example, check
the certification information to ensure you
are only using compatible ironmongery and
intumescent seals that are conformity marked
when required. It’s also important to never cut
glazing apertures on-site as this will invalidate
the fire door’s certified status, and to always
ensure the gap between the edge of the door and
the frame are not too large. At the top and sides
of the door these are generally between 2 and
4mm and at the threshold, 8 to 10mm.
Beyond this, it’s important to ensure that the
frame specification is correct for the door’s fire
rating and that the Building Regulations are
strictly adhered to. If in doubt when installing a
fire door, it’s always recommended to reach out
to the fire door manufacturer or processor who
will be able to provide detailed instructions on
how the door should be correctly installed.
For those new to fire door installation, it’s vital
to seek quality assured training provision. The
BWF, in collaboration with the NOCN Group,
recently launched the Fire Door Installation
Awareness Course to support best practice and
improve awareness of the factors involved in the
appropriate installation of timber fire doors.
Fire doors perform a life-saving role in the
event of a fire, protecting lives and property.
By specifying a third-party certified fire door
and ensuring it is correctly installed in line with
the manufacturer’s instructions and Building
Regulations, installers and their clients can be
one step ahead of the changes brought about by
the Building Safety Bill.
For more information visit: https://firedoors.bwf.
org.uk/be-certain-be-certified/
Contact the BWF:
0207 637 2646
www.bwf.org.uk
@BritWoodFed
36 T I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST