SAFETY & SECURITY 91
propose new ‘Gateway Points’ to ensure suitable consideration is given to building safety throughout the construction process, and before a building is occupied. The long overdue proposed changes have been welcomed by the construction indus- try and industry associations. But what impact will the Bill, when it becomes law, have on fire door safety specifically, and how can specifying third- party certified fire doors now ensure that housebuilders and developers stay ahead of the upcoming changes?
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INFORMATION SHARING A key component of the Bill is a require- ment for an ‘accountable person’ to retain fire and structural safety information through a project – referred to as the ‘golden thread.’ This information is required to be digitally stored and, impor- tantly, updated throughout the building’s lifespan – a positive step which goes above and beyond the requirements for the exchange of fire safety information in current Building Regulations. The golden thread will mean that
important information regarding building materials will be passed between stake- holders throughout the building’s lifecycle, ensuring that the appropriate person has the information they need to ensure the building’s ongoing safety. This is vital for the maintenance of fire safety products that are installed, particularly fire doors, which perform a life-saving role in the event of a fire. This level of traceability is already achievable by speci- fying a third party-certified fire door – which provides a robust, evidence-based log of the fire door’s component parts.
WHAT IS THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION? Third-party certification of a fire door means that the manufacturer, or proces- sor, has been audited by an independent body to ensure the fire door is produced to a consistent standard and has robust evidence of its performance. Providing peace of mind, third-party certification gives specifiers verification of product performance and quality. The certification process involves meeting specific criteria set out by the third-party certification body. For BWF Fire Door Alliance members, this criteria includes: Initial fire testing: A full-sized construction of a door assembly is subjected to one or more tests in accordance with the appropriate fire test standard (BS 476: Part 22 or BS EN 1634-1) at a UKAS accredited test facility to determine its fire resistance.
he newly introduced Building Safety Bill – and new planning legislation introduced in August –
STAY AHEAD OF REGS CHANGES
Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation explains the importance of third-party certification in the context of the upcoming building safety legislation and the changes it will bring.
PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND, THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION GIVES SPECIFIERS VERIFICATION OF PRODUCT PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY
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