Community safety


give owners of multi occupancy buildings the information they need to keep residents safe. It cannot be emphasised enough that all of


the relevant parts of the Building Regulations should be incorporated within one doorset. This means that the specification for the tested doorset should be the same and should include all relevant Approved Documents, such as Approved Document B (fire) and ADQ (security). We have seen so many doorsets now for which the specification as tested for fire is not the same as the specification as tested for security.


Expert panel


The Grenfell Technical Group is due to report to the Grenfell Independent Expert Panel, also chaired by Sir Ken Knight, which is made up of a range of building and fire safety experts from a number of organisations, including the Building Research Establishment and the National Fire Chiefs Council. This panel seeks to help the government


ascertain if any immediate actions need to be taken on any fire and safety issues in high rise buildings. For example, it will consider whether changes or clarifications are required to existing regulations, and provide advice on possible changes, including making recommendations on the use of specific materials. In addition, it will look at whether the current process for assuring fire and building safety in high rise buildings, including through the building control process, is fit for purpose, and whether any immediate changes are required.


Assuring performance


Landlords who are seeking assurance that existing doorsets meet the current benchmark standards should seek professional advice. This may include submitting a sample doorset or door assembly to a test laboratory that is accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) or via a suitably qualified third party accreditation body that is a signatory to the European Accreditation Multilateral Agreement (EA MLA). A technical assessment must be based on


appropriate, relevant and applicable primary fire resistance test evidence from one or more full scale fire resistance tests. In considering whether to replace existing doorsets, landlords should consult the Local Government Association guidance, Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats1


FOCUS


an applicable independent third party product certification scheme. This would provide assurance that it meets


current building regulations and has been manufactured under a third party certificated quality assurance system, with certification provided by a UKAS accredited certification body. Replacement doorsets should be installed by a third party certificated installer and the doorsets maintained throughout the life of the doorset.


Once all the information and advice has


been received following the Grenfell tragedy, the government may decide to make changes to the Building Regulations. As far as SBD and the fire service are concerned, we have proved that fire and security can work well together and that the technical challenges have been overcome by a number of leading manufacturers. We do not believe that there is a conflict between fire and security, and in residential multi occupancy blocks of flats, SBD continues to require all entrance doorsets to flats to be dual certified for fire and security


John Cole is chief operating officer at Secured by Design. For more information, view page 5


Reference 1. www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ documents/fire-safety-purpose-built- 04b.pdf


, which advises landlords wishing to replace


the complete doorset to the front door of a flat that they should be certified in accordance with


Please note that this article was written before publication of the government’s anticipated best practice guidance on the replacement of front entrance doorsets.


www.frmjournal.com JUNE 2018 25


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