Fire Doors
The Role of a Fire Door
BWF-Certifire Fire Door and Doorset Scheme
Presented by John Fletcher
John Fletcher Consulting Ltd.
Fire doors main messages
1. Fire doors are essential in passive fire protection
A requirement in compartmenting a building
Protecting escape routes
Save Lives Save Property
2. Must be tested to show the design will work in a fire.
What do we mean by certification?
3. Fire doors can only work correctly when . . . .
Fitted with the correct compatible components for the door
Door leaf + frame / linings
Closers, Hinges and other ESSENTIAL ironmongery
Seals
Glazing
I.e. the fire door assembly / or doorset must comply with regulations
4. Where to go for help & information
If in doubt - DONT GUESS!
2
A partnership
BWF - a Trade Association
CERTIFIRE - A Certification Body
The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme
Began in 1997
Around 200 members
An alliance across the Fire Door Industry
Door leaf and doorset manufacturers
Frame manufacturers
Licensed modifiers
Ironmongery manufacturers/distributors
Seal manufacturers
Fire door glass / glazing system providers
Suppliers
Door blanks / cores
Glass
Merchants and Distributors
Other 3rd party certification schemes
e.g. TRADA Q Mark & IFC
Industry Aims & Challenges
To improve the standard of fire doors installed in the UK
To educate the construction industry about the importance of
third-party certification of fire doors and passive fire protection
systems
To raise awareness and educate the consumers, and users of the
critical importance of Fire Doors
To move the market progressively towards fire doorsets as
the best way to achieve the Scheme long-term objectives
Our Challenges
3 million fire doors sold per year
Common supply route via merchants - approx 80%
Changing the spec to save the client money
Cutting costs / cutting corners
Poor understanding, poor maintenance, poor workmanship
Fire doors are an engineered safety device not just an ordinary
door
4
Poor workmanship
Gaps - between doors, frame-to-wall, leaf to frame
Poor workmanship & poor advice
Poor maintenance
Does someone
REALLY believe
this will work in a
fire?
Poor understanding
Photos by kind
permission of
CheckMate Ltd
Wedged / held open fire doors
Understanding the signage
Adapting / accommodating fire doors to suit
premises
What are fire doors for?
What fire doors do
Fire doors serve 2 purposes
1. Everyday activity
Allowing passage in and out of a
building / section of a building or a
room
2. In the event of a fire
A requirement in compartmenting a
building
Protecting escape routes
Restricting initial development of a
fire.
E.g restricting the amount of oxygen
feeding the fire
2 types of fire door installations
In the UK, a fire door installation is
achieved in one of two ways:-
Doorset:
o frame, a pre-hung door leaf (with
any vision panels) and essential
ironmongery, all matched and
pre-assembled in the factory
Door Assembly:
o a fire door leaf, frame and
additional components needed to
install them, supplied and fitted
separately.
In the latter case, the components that are fitted MUST match the test
evidence. I.e. They MUST be compatible with the door leaf
Door leaf standard practice
Door leaf
Fire door assembly
Fire door leaf / approved frame / casing
Compatible Approved Components
Door
frame /
casing
/ lining
CE marked Certifire Approved components
compatible with door test
What regulations apply to fire doors?
Regulations
The Building Regulations
Fire doors should have the appropriate
performance - given by
Test BS 476 Part 22
Classification BS EN 13501 / Test BS EN 1634 1/2/3
Any test evidence used to substantiate the fire
resistance rating of a door or shutter should be
carefully checked to ensure that it adequately
demonstrates compliance that is applicable to the
complete installed assembly.
Small differences in detail (such as glazing
apertures, intumescent strips, door frames and
ironmongery etc.) may significantly affect the
rating.
Building Regulations
New buildings
UK Regulatory Parts
England & Scotland :
Northern Ireland
Wales : Technical
Performance Notes : Technichal
Approved Handbook :
Booklets
Documents sections
- Where a fire door is required
- The fire resistance period
Fire Safety expected B 2 E
- Specific requirements e.g.
smoke seals and signage
- Minimum sound resistance
Sound performance of the door
E 5 G
- Minimum air transfer gap
Ventilation required under the door
F 3 K
- Minimum thermal performance
Thermal of the door if required
L 6 F
- Access to buildings for disabled
people, including door width,
hardware locations, opening
Accessibility forces, provision of vision panels
M 3 R
and light reflectance values
required
Safety - Where safety glass is required
N 4 V
Glazing
Regulatory Reform Order (2005)
Existing buildings
Applies to England and Wales:
Fire (Scotland) Act
Premises that provide care including care homes and hospitals
Community halls, places of worship and other community premises
The shared areas of properties occupied by several households
Pubs, clubs and restaurants
Schools and sports centres
Tents and marquees
Hotels and hostels
Factories and warehouses
The Missing Link
- Building handover requirements
(Regulation 38 England and Wales)
New build
Client Ownership
Handing over the correct information about the certification of
the fire door and components is extremely important for future
inspection & maintenance
Understanding certification
What does it tell us?
How do we know its correct or up-
to-date?
Doors should be tested & certificated?
You need proof of performance
Comply with building regs.
A test certificate indicates that the complete door
assembly can withhold fire for a defined period of time
What many fail to realise - that the complete assembly
must be installed as it was tested
Components as well as door
Applies to each door configuration
requires a proof
How do I know if the door is a fire door?
Label
Plug
Proof of test evidence
What if you have none of these?
then theres a doubt about the doors ability to perform
An expert assessment can be made
But its expensive
3 ways of demonstrating compliance
The difference . . . .
May not have been
Tested to / No guarantee that tested
Self Designed to =
Uncertain? / RISK products will (or have)
Was the test impartial?
Complies with BS reached the correct
declaration standards What about ongoing
476 Part 22 manufacture?
What if manufacturing
My product was
changes?
Test tested. Was the test sample
Uncertain?
I have a certificate = RISK
representative of what What if designs change?
certificate Only a SNAPSHOT test
is ALWAYS produced? What if materials
change?
Not only demonstrates Ensures the product is
3rd party product conformity supplied to the SAME
= CONFIDENCE
specification / design
certification Audits the companys
production & product AS TESTED
3rd party certification
Warrington Certification is the UKAS test
laboratory who conduct independent
testing of doors and components and audit
check members
The performance of Doors +
timber doors is judged components can
by subjecting them to
be traced up or
the standard test
procedure specified in down the supply
BS 476 : Part 22: 1987 chain
or BS EN 1634-1: 2014.
Tests are made on
complete door
assemblies, the door
and frame with all the
necessary hardware.
Fire Door Certificates
What to look for . . .
1. Does the door have any identity or
marking to validate compliance /
certification?
A plug
A label
A specific door reference
2. Is the certification number / evidence
relevant to the door leaf / door set?
Obvious!! But youd be surprised
how rarely its checked
3. Is the door type / configuration
correct?
Single / pair
Panel / flush etc.
1. Who glazed the door?
If not done correctly, the certificate
will be void
Door types
You may have specified an FD30 door, but . . .
Each door type below requires a different construction - AND a different
test
It MAY NOT be suitable some configurations, certain components or for
glazing
Panel Moulded Flush Glazed 1 pair
Panel with screen
Door configurations
Each door
configuration is
subjected to a different
fire door test.
You cannot assume that any 2 single doors will work in a double leaf system
Ironmongery for Fire Doors must
be compatible with the door
Essential Ironmongery Non-Essential Ironmongery
Hinges Handles
Closers Knobs
Locks and latches Spy holes
Letter plates
Where do I find the information
about the door leaf and components?
Installation & maintenance
instructions supplied with
EVERY door
Where do I find the information
about the door leaf and components?
What to look for after installation and in use
Checking the assembly
The Door Leaf
Does the door have a certificate?
Is it 3rd-party certificated?
Does the door leaf sit in the door frame?
Is it free from distortion?
Is the door leaf free from damage?
No cracked / split panels
If the door leaf is veneered or lipped, is the glue still holding these
products firmly in place?
Dont consider upgrading an ordinary door with intumescent paints
Its a very specialised job
You cant apply the paint accurately enough with a paint brush
Dont patch up the door
Door Frame
Is the door frame made from the right
material?
Softwood (possibly MDF) for FD30
Hardwood for FD60 hour and above
Is the door frame firmly attached to the
wall?
Any SMALL gaps should filled with mineral wool or
fire rated material
Is the frames planted stop firmly attached
to the frame?
Does the door close evenly into the frame
The gap is important
The frame to door leaf gap should be
3 to 4mm at the two sides and top
edge of the door
Threshold Gap
If a Fire Door the permissible
threshold gap is ~ 10mm.
(Check the manufacturers
instructions / evidence)
If a Fire and Smoke Door the
permissible threshold gap should be
3 to 4mm the same as the
perimeter gap.
Does the door freely swing, without
binding?
Intumescent and smoke seals
Must be tested to BS 476: Pt 22
(OR BS EN 1634-1:2014 AND a separate test for smoke leakage under BS 476:
Pt 31.1)
Typically fitted into groove in door leaf OR PREFERABLY frame.
Fitted along 2 vertical sections and top edge
not fitted to threshold
Ideally, should be supplied, fitted by doorframe manufacturer.
If replaced due to repair MUST be equal to original doorset /
assembly
Save lives, and property - prevent flow of cold / hot smoke
Many doorsets now need to provide fire, smoke and acoustic
containment
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Fire & Smoke Seals
Is the Fire Door an FD30(S) or an FD60(S)?
There is very limited substitution on FD30s
and no substitution allowed on FD60s
Are there any seals present in the door leaf or
frame?
Are the seals free from damage?
Are the seals continuous around the door leafs
perimeter?
Are the intumescent seals, graphite or sodium
silicate?
Dont mix them
If combined fire and smoke seals, are the fins
or brushes free from damage?
Is the door leaf to frame gap still 3 to 4 mm?
Intumescent Materials
3 main types
Exfoliating Graphite
Most common type, 17 different types.
Expansion between 170 300 C
High pressure seal, multi directional expansion
Hydrated Sodium Silicate
Chemical formula, consistent in its performance
Expands at 100 C , consistently
High pressure seal, multi directional expansion
Mono-Ammonium Phosphate
Referred to as MAP
Low pressure, high volume expansion
Commonly used for lock/latch and hinge protection kits
Glazing Detail
Are the glazing beads well attached to
the door leaf and free from damage?
Is the glass free from damage and
cracking?
Is the intumescent glazing seal
continuous and attached to both the
glass and bead?
If the glass is below 1500mm from the
bottom of the door is the glass a fire-
rated safety glass?
Who cut the vision panel & installed
the glass?
Check for a second label or a plug
Other apertures
in doors
Letter boxes
Air transfer grilles
Spy-hole viewers
Should be cut & fitted by
approved installers
Unprotected
slots and
apertures
Fire Rated ATGs
On an FD30 or FD60: remove cover grille
and check that a Fire Resistant air transfer
grille has been fitted (giving hot smoke
protection)
Ensure the ATG is free of blockages, replace
if necessary.
If an FD30S or FD60S: ensure electro-
mechanical device has been fitted (giving
cold smoke protection) and works!
Periodic checks must be conducted with the
fire/smoke alarm tests weekly (as required
in RRO).
Does the vent automatically shut down
when the power to the door is cut?
Ensure the electro-mechanical ATG is free of
blockages
Check / maintain the ironmongery
Replace if necessary
Essential Ironmongery Non-Essential Ironmongery
Hinges Handles
Closers Knobs
Locks and latches Spy holes
Letter plates
The role of Fire Doors?
Conclusion
The role of fire doors?
Conclusion
1. Only specify / use 3rd-party certificated fire doors
2. Ensure they are installed / maintained by competent persons
3. Get them checked or inspected by competent personnel
4. ONLY use the correct compatible components for the door leaf
5. Dont play with fire - dont cut corners
6. If in ANY DOUBT, then ASK
Further Information
Directory of members - Literature and Fact Cards
[Link]
Check the certificate details
Consistent approach to inspections
Competent Approved Fire Door Inspectors (FDIS)
Look out for 2 further initiatives
A national register of third-party
certificated fire door installers
[Link]
(Under Construction)
1520 SEPTEMBER 2014
Your attention is appreciated!
THANK YOU
