Safety & Security


“Compliant, or non-compliant, that is the question”


F


ire doorset legislation has changed significantly in the recent years, with changes made at every stage in the lifecycle


of a fire doorset, from design & testing to inspection & maintenance. For social housing fire doorset specifications, this means that every stage in the lifecycle of a fire doorset must be reviewed to ensure ongoing compliance with the new legislation. One of the most important changes to legislation


is the introduction of Te Golden Tread, created to link all stages in the lifecycle of a fire doorset. Put simply, at each stage of the lifecycle, it ensures that “what is tested, is manufactured, surveyed, installed and maintained”. Tis is mandatory for all residential buildings where fire doors are a requirement. Te data for the doorsets lifecycle must also be visible and adhered to and changes to the fire doorset much maintain the integrity and intended performance of the fire doorset for its complete lifecycle. Tere are five steps in the lifecycle of compliance


for a fire doorset, with the first step (Design & Test) being the key reference point for all other steps to ensure the original design intent is preserved.


ONLY 55% COMPLIANT? In a recent white paper research completed with Housing Management & Maintenance, we asked specifiers of fire doorsets in social housing if they included key elements of the new legislation in their specifications. Our results produced some alarming


findings, highlighting our concern that changes recommended and legally required have not been fully implemented.


Our research was aimed at understanding how the new legislation and guidance had been adopted, with particular focus on use of 3rd party certified companies and individuals to complete each stage in the lifecycle.


For each question we asked, a minimum of


30% of respondents had either not included 3rd party accreditation or were unsure/ didn’t know if 3rd party accreditation was included in the specification. Meaning within the respondents questioned, a significant percentage had not implemented these legislative changes and recommendations. Tis was especially alarming for the annual


inspection of a fire doorset, where it is a legal requirement that the annual inspection is carried out by a 3rd party certified inspector.


All changes are verified against the test evidence the fire doorset was made to comply with


Corrective maintenance completed by a 3rd party certified maintenance team


Annual inspection carried out by a 3rd party certified inspector


Installation completed by a 3rd party certified installer


Survey completed by a 3rd party accredited surveyor


Manufactured by a 3rd party certified manufacturer at a 3rd party certified facility


21% 11% With 29% of respondents not including this


in their specifications and a further 15% who are unsure or didn’t know.


Therefore a high percentage of doors that may initially be fully compliant, risk future non-compliance due to this key omission.


It is of paramount importance that maintenance


teams are fully trained and have knowledge of the individual aspects of a fire doorset. Tis should include, tested performance knowledge and product composition to ensure what was tested is the same as what is surveyed, manufactured, installed and maintained. As an example, if a fire doorset has a damaged


or broken piece of glazing, the maintenance team will need to have been trained and have the knowledge of how the doorset was constructed. Tey must be able to replace components like for like and know what components should be replaced as part of this repair. Tis will ensure the fire doorset remains compliant and its performance is maintained as per original design intent. For example, how will a non-trained maintenance team


68%


15%


21%


65%


29%


15%


56%


17%


13%


69%


15%


19%


66%


12%


33% g Not Included g Unsure/Don’t Know g Included 54 | HMMAugust/September 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk HMM08_Winkhaus_DPS ADV.indd 2 15/08/2022 15:57


55%


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