FOCUS
The way forward With government and industry discussions
continuing post Grenfell,Jon Cole updates us on entrance doorsets and covers key issues
A
S THE government consults with industry in the wake of the Grenfell fi re, I’d like to provide an update on fl at entrance
doorsets within multi occupancy residential buildings, and give my personal assessment of some of the key issues, as a member of the Grenfell Technical Group.
Investigation fi ndings
The government’s investigation into the fire performance of flat entrance doorsets in high rise tower blocks has started to highlight broader potential failings within the industry. In its Advice Note issued towards the end of August, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) went as far as to describe identifying ‘systemic’ issues in the composite door industry. Its investigation began in March 2018, when the Metropolitan Police, as part of its criminal investigation into Grenfell, carried out a fi re test on a glazed, composite fi re door to a fl at entrance from within the building. It was tested against the requirement in the Building Regulations in England and associated guidance in Approved Document B (ADB)
36 OCTOBER 2018
www.frmjournal.com
that fl at entrance doorsets which allow access directly into the dwelling from a shared or communal corridor should achieve at least 30 minutes’ fi re resistance and smoke control. However, the Metropolitan Police test on the door – manufactured by Manse Masterdor – saw it fail after approximately 15 minutes. On 31 July 2018, the government announced that four other manufacturers had failed fi re resistance door tests. All the thermoplastic or glass reinforced plastic (GRP) glazed and unglazed doors, and glazed composite doors that were known to have failed to meet the necessary standards were withdrawn from the market as a consequence, and the local Trading Standards was informed. Each manufacturer has cooperated fully.
Government response
In response to these failings, the MHCLG is continuing its investigations and urging all building control bodies to check that existing building regulations guidance on new fire door installations is followed. Major fire door suppliers have been instructed to come up with a clear plan of action to tackle
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