Fire Door Safety Week


Choosing the right fire door supplier C


hoosing the right fire door supplier is important. Ensuring fire door compliance is vitally important in not only ensuring


the safety of the residents but is also likely to be a major factor in what stands between a customer’s decision between one contractor and another. We explore the necessities of a fire door supplier and the industry standards required.


INDUSTRY STANDARDS


TEST EVIDENCE It is important that fire doors undergo rigorous independent testing in an approved UKAS test house, ensuring compliance to the latest industry standards is applied. Testing methods include primary testing and


‘cascaded test evidence’. Primary testing, usually conducted in a UKAS test house with qualified test engineers, reports what doors have been tested and the test’s outcome. An organisation may decide to use test reports from another company, known as ‘cascaded test evidence’, often used when an organisation wishes not to conduct testing of its own. Ensuring compliance to the latest industry


standards is something that all fire door suppliers should be monitoring. Therefore, making continuous improvements to ensure requirements are met and that the doors they supply can be trusted to withstand a variety of circumstances is important.


evidence is vital at the procurement stage when selecting your supplier of choice. Evidence of certification can be requested by the concerned party and given in the form of complete copies of certificates, test evidence, or visiting the third party’s website to see if the company in question is registered. Field of Applications, written by an accredited third party, allows companies the flexibility to offer different styles of doors, with the assurance that primary testing has been conducted. There are ways you can check your fire door set


meets the correct certification requirements following delivery. This should be easily identified by way of a label or plug usually positioned on the top of the door. This label will contain information about the type of certification administered and whether it meets the appropriate industry standards. If you feel there is a reason for concern regarding your door, you should report it immediately.


CERTIFICATION A supplier that has the appropriate and trusted certification is vital and needs to be ensured at every stage of the supply chain. To accompany primary test evidence, a


manufacturer needs to demonstrate third-party certification by a UKAS accredited body such as the widely recognised BM Trada to ensure high standards are being met and followed. As part of the certification, the manufacturer will be issued a Field of Application Assessment, allowing them to manufacture door sets to bespoke sizes and designs, with a range of ironmongery and accessories. Various testing and certification can be


conducted to offer peace of mind. Third-party accredited certification, administered by recognised bodies like BM Trada and Secured by Design, allows for the provision of certificate and the listing of door set ranges under that scheme to be certified. Asking the right questions and requesting


SERVICE Clients are looking for a supplier they can trust to deliver products to a high standard and bring confidence that they can deliver the best possible service. Offering services like dedicated account managers, who can prioritise workloads and build relationships with clients is vital to maintaining longevity in an organisation’s client portfolio. A supplier that conducts customer service to this standard and delivers promptly helps set them apart from competitors.


BESPOKE MANUFACTURING A well-equipped and dependable product range is also a valid reason to choose a supplier. Bespoke manufacturing is essential when it comes to replacement fire door sets as not only does it enable the door set to be made to suit the existing structural opening but enables a vast range of designs to suit the exact project criteria.


As a bespoke manufacturer, Sentry Doors can


offer a wide range of sizes, styles, and finishes to suit clients’ exact requirements. We offer a Resident Design and Colour Choice sheet to assist in the selection process.


QUALITY ASSURANCE It is wise to ask your supplier what their quality assurance process is as it should be an element of the production process that is monitored throughout the procurement of door sets. A supplier’s commitment to quality management is evident in their certification schemes demonstrating a desire to ensure full compliance in their products. Independent third-party ISO 9001 certification portrays a supplier’s commitment to meeting the needs of clients. High-performing products that combine quality, service, and value, alongside vast technical expertise and consistent investment portrays how committed a supplier is to its quality management.


INSTALLATION Ensuring fire door compliance is a collaborative approach as the correct installation of a fire door is equally important to selecting the correct supplier. It is important that door sets are installed by competent personnel who are third-party accredited by BM-Trada or equivalent and that the door set is fitted in accordance, supported by your chosen manufacturers’ installation guidelines. There are a range of factors that contribute to


appointing the right supplier. As a supplier of choice to local authorities, housing associations and their contractors, Sentry Doors offer a robust certification portfolio combined with quality assurance and industry-leading lead times. Download our certification portfolio and sign up to our Compliance Portal to keep up to date.


01302 337473 www.sentrydoors.co.uk www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM August/September 2021 | 45


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