FOCUS
Proof positive Fire door performance can make the difference
between life and death;Kevin Underwood takes a close look at fire door certification
crucial time for occupants to evacuate and for fire and rescue services to tackle the fire. This process relies on all fi re protection components working together in order to slow the spread of fi re throughout an area; so what role do fi re doors play in it? As an effective passive fire protection
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product, fire doors fulfil a life saving role in preventing the spread of smoke and fire for a period of time, depending on their fire classification. A fire door is much more than a typical door: it is a complex system of components that must work together to perform in the event of a fire. That system includes the door leaf, frame, ironmongery and glazing system. While fire safety measures, including fire
doors, have always been a priority for the construction industry, the tragedy of Grenfell Tower has brought the performance of fire rated products under greater scrutiny. Following an investigation into the effectiveness of all fi re
46 MARCH 2020
www.frmjournal.com
UBDIVIDING A building into compartments prevents a fire from spreading into additional rooms and fl oors, while allowing
doors by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), it was found that the timber fi re doors tested all met required standards, exceeding the minimum 30 minute burn time requirement. This is in direct contrast to glass reinforced polymer foam fi lled fi re doors – the type recovered from Grenfell Tower, three quarters of which failed MHCLG tests in results published last year.
Third party certifi cation
Fire safety and fire door performance have always been at the top of the agenda of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Fire Door Alliance, and are the reason why it believes that it is vital to use fi re doors which are third party certifi cated. Third party certifi cation means that the fi re
door manufacturer or processor is audited by an independent third party, which checks that the product is tested appropriately and is produced to a consistent standard. For BWF Fire Door Alliance members, this involves meeting the following specific criteria.
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