Doors and Windows Feature
Setting the standard for certification and compliance
Marcus Parnham from Profab Access, discusses the importance of specifying fire integrity products to ensure the suitability and safety of a building for its entire lifecycle
Building Fabric
F
ocused on improving the safety of high risk residential buildings, the Building Safety Act will drive significant culture changes throughout every aspect of the industry to facilitate the design and construction of
buildings that are not only fit for purpose, but fit for the future. Key requirements of the legislation include changes to the Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005, in addition to the establishment of the Building Advisory Committee and Industry Competence Committee as part of the Building Safety Regulator, which will have additional powers for the regulation of construction products. Tis is summarised throughout the Construction Products Regulations 2022,
which identifies the general safety requirements that all construction products being placed on the UK market must meet. Tese regulations aim to reform the government’s current testing regime to
overcome concerning ambiguities regarding present guidelines and regulations, in addition to the initial capture and communication of key product data to achieve a successful golden thread of building information throughout every stage of the design, construction and maintenance stages.
OVERCOMING REGULATORY DISPARITIES For housing and facilities management professionals looking to specify fire-rated riser doors throughout their portfolio, choosing products that are
supplied with comprehensive third-party certification can help to safeguard the suitability and safety of each building for its entire lifecycle. Currently, there are differences between the guidelines outlined in BS EN
1634 Standard and Annex B of Approved Document B2. As a result, some riser door manufacturers may only conduct product assessments via a third party, while others may undertake continuous independent product testing and certification. For manufacturers who submit evidence in the form of assessment reports, it is oſten based upon primary testing that may have been conducted many years ago. Providing that the manufacturer states nothing has changed in terms of
product materials, specifications and manufacturing techniques, assessments will oſten be renewed for a further five-year period, without any substantial fire performance tests being completed. However, while the new Construction Products Regulator will have the
ability to conduct its own tests of building materials specified in fire critical environments, it will also be the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure the products they supply now are not only compliant, but suitable for the proposed application. Tis responsibility is also shared by the customer, who has a legal obligation
to undertake and evidence comprehensive due diligence by ensuring they request demonstration of compliance and subsequent testing reports, not
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