FIRE SAFETY
This modern approach to fire safety management is helping to eliminate guesswork and should be widely viewed as an opportunity to simplify processes for all involved.
of traceable, accessible product information. This shift is altering the way fire door certification and record holding is approached, where: n Test evidence must clearly demonstrate classifications, limitations, and compatibility between components such as door closers, hinges and leaf assemblies.
n Assessment reports must be transparent, retrievable, and linked directly to a manufacturer’s products.
n Digital record keeping is becoming essential for duty- holders, who are being held responsible for products remaining reliable and suitable throughout a project’s lifecycle
Testing data contributes to a single source of truth, made accessible through The Golden Thread of Information – a legal requirement under the Building Safety Act.4
The
‘Golden Thread’ has been transformative in documenting verified data and acts as an intuitive framework for how product information can be created, maintained, and made accessible. Access to this digital vault of information has become central to compliance by promoting transparency and reducing risk, with the government now proposing a centralised library for all construction products to further expand regulatory coverage and support greater decision-making.
Data makes the difference Whilst it is clear how testing and certification can impact product specification, perhaps less understood are the other ways in which data is helping to build a more accurate picture of the built environment and its fire safety systems. Inspection data from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS),5
for example, tells us that care and
maintenance issues are present in 54 per cent of fire door inspections, reflecting the need for ongoing care post
hardware specification and installation. In truth, data is redefining the role of mechanical fire
door hardware components in real time, too. Take fire door closers, which are a key component of fire doors, and as such, are an important data contributor when it comes to fire door safety. Forward-thinking manufacturers are also exploring how data can better support fire safety practice and hardware, such as door closers, can now incorporate stores of data right from the box, with video installation guides made available to installers through QR codes and safety critical data accessible via the ‘Golden Thread’. This modern approach to fire safety management is helping to eliminate guesswork and should be widely viewed as an opportunity to simplify processes for all involved. Fire door safety will always remain a technical discipline, but in an age where information can be accessed instantly from our fingertips, even a mechanical fire door closer has a digital voice. By combining robust hardware and practical expertise with reliable, accessible data, the industry is paving its way to a safer, more accountable built environment.
References 1
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/67befa24a0f0c95a498d1f96/CCS0924294540- 001_PN8889787_SECURE_Construction_Green_ Paper_2024_Web_Accessible.pdf
2
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/909/ regulation/38
3
https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/building-safety- regulator-making-buildings-safer/building-safety-regulator- news/understanding-the-golden-thread/
4
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-building-safety-act 5
https://fdis.co.uk
Installation guidelines.
Sue Corrick
Sue joined Allegion UK in 1997 and continues to build upon her 25 years of experience, having developed an astute understanding of ironmongery and fire safety. In her role as product marketing manager, Sue works closely with customers, monitoring and analysing the needs of the market to ensure Allegion products meet relevant standards and are safe and secure for everyone that uses them.
April 2026 Health Estate Journal 49
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