Building Fabric
Doors & Windows Feature
Opening the door to complete compliance
Marcus Parnham from Profab Access, discusses the importance of bi-directional testing as one of the main considerations that social landlords should address when updating riser doors to ensure compliance with the latest building regulations
H
ousing Management and Maintenance’s recent ‘Approach to Fire Safety in Social Housing’ research project discovered that proof of compliance via test evidence and certification – in addition to
independent fire testing – were the two most important factors for social housing providers when specifying fire-rated riser doors for retrofit applications. However, the research concerningly found that bi-directional testing was only the sixth most important factor. Te Building Safety Act 2022 has provided the construction industry with
the foundation for a new building regime that places residents’ safety at its centre. As part of this, the Building Safety Regulator, National Regulator for Construction Products, and New Homes Ombudsman, have each been formed to oversee the safety and standards of all buildings, enforce a more effective regulatory regime for construction products, and enable owners of new build homes to raise complaints. Te Construction Products Regulations 2022 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 ambiguities regarding present guidelines and regulations. It also aims to secure 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.
ACHIEVING LEGAL COMPLIANCE In this new regulatory landscape, social housing providers have a responsibility to ensure the riser doors installed throughout every property within their housing portfolio are compliant with the latest building regulations and meet the requirements of the Construction Products Regulations 2022. For older properties with ageing riser doors that may be constructed of
timber, this can be achieved by retrofitting steel riser doors that are installed using adjustable frame systems that have been independently bi-directionally tested and certified as an entire doorset to the latest legislative requirements. 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 may be 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. By undertaking product testing and certification by an accredited third party,
24 | HMMDecember/January 2024 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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