Safety & Regulation
and raises safety issues around egress and evacuation. Even when the door can fully open, a bulky cowl may cause damage to wall surfaces due to repeated collisions. This sometimes results in the occupier – or even the installer – removing the cowl, which can compromise security and fire safety.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITY AND AESTHETICS Letterplates fitted at many residential properties may need to be TS008 for PAS 24:2016 compliance and Document Q approval, which leaves specifiers with the challenge of finding a compliant letterplate that is not bulky. A key design feature to look out for is a pivoting stay mechanism, which enables a reduced internal flap projection from the door surface, giving a less intrusive feel to the door and enabling the door to open fully without the risk of any damage to the interior wall. It is also advisable to select a TS008 letterplate with no fixings to the exterior
door because this further enhances security by preventing anyone from unscrewing the outer section from the door. Long-term performance is important, so test data that proves smooth
operation over a number of years is also a feature to look out for. And, of course, aesthetics matter too, a range with a variety of colours and finishes to match existing decor is advisable too.
SAFER SOLUTIONS It is now four years since the Grenfell Tower fire, and the tragedy has had far- reaching consequences, including a positive impact on due diligence when selecting building products, particularly for use in social housing. Effective protection from the spread of fire from either side of the door is an
essential feature of any letterplate installed in a fire door. Although a letterplate may not seem to be a safety product because safety is not its primary function, as an integral element of a fire door, it should have undergone rigorous in-house and third-party testing. TS008 letter plates designed for use in fire doors are manufactured with intumescent material in their construction, which expands to create a fire
barrier equal to the performance of the required fire door. Only Certifire approved TS008 letterplates can be fitted to timber fire doors with no further testing. For composite or steel fire doors, the letterplate must be tested as part of a complete door configuration.
PERFORMANCE MATTERS It’s easy to mistake a letterplate as a simple piece of hardware that frames an aperture for post, but it plays a critical role in preventing that aperture from becoming a risk to security and fire safety. Aesthetics are always important, but, when it comes to safety and security, it’s performance that really matters.
Richard Morris is the national new business manager at UAP
Smoke & Fire Protection Feature
44 | HMMOctober/November 2021 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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