3. Fire Doors JF - Association for Specialist Fire Protection

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection
The Role of Fire Doors, Frames and Fire Seals,
Door Hardware Maintenance and Replacement
John Fletcher
Technical Consultant
British Woodworking Federation
Pioneering fire protection through innovation and professionalism
Fire Doors
The Role of a Fire Door
BWF-Certifire Fire Door and Doorset Scheme
Presented by John Fletcher
John Fletcher Consulting Ltd.
Last week was a busy week!
Events and Supporters
Events
Supporters
 Online fire door test
 Training events
 Radio broadcasts across UK
stations on Fire Door Safety
 Fire Safety Week at Chester
Business Fair – Cheshire Fire &
Rescue
 Massive ‘Twitter’ following
 Shut that (fire) door campaign Wolverhampton
 Care Homes Campaign Suffolk
 Residents campaign across HA’s
 Fire Kills
 National Landlords Association
 Fed. Of Private residents
Associations
 Inst Fire Prevention Officers
 CityWest Homes
 Federation of Small Businesses
 Cheshire / Tyne & Wear F & R
 Wolverhampton Homes
 National Social Housing Fire
Strategy grp
 Midland Heart
 + Fire Industry TA’s
Why?
 To create a lot of noise
about the importance
of fire doors
 . . . . . And we did!
 We ‘hit the nail on the
head!’
So much noise, that we were invited to discuss fire doors with
the Fire Minister, Brandon Lewis MP on Monday
Fire doors – my main messages
1.
Fire doors are essential in passive fire protection
A requirement in compartmenting a building
Protecting escape routes
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2.
Must be tested to show the design will work in a fire.
Is a certificate enough?
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3.
Fire doors can only work correctly when . . . .
Fitted with the correct compatible components for the door
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4.
Door leaf + frame / linings
Closers, Hinges and other ESSENTIAL ironmongery
Seals
Glazing
I.e. the fire door assembly / or doorset must comply with regulations
Where to go for help & information
8
The Humble Fire Door
“It could be argued that the
fire door is the most prevalent
fire safety measure in any
built environment.”
Essential in
Passive Fire
Protection
Fire
Door
Must be tested
to show how
the design will
work
Can only work
with correct,
compatible
components
Who we are.
The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme
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Began in 1997
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Around 200 members
An alliance across the Fire Door Industry
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Door leaf and doorset manufacturers
Frame manufacturers
Licensed modifiers
Ironmongery manufacturers/distributors
Seal manufacturers
Fire door glass / glazing system providers
Suppliers
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Door blanks / cores
Glass
 Merchants and Distributors
BWF Fire Door Strategy
Why the industry set up the scheme
• 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
11
Why do we need a fire door scheme?
 3 million fire doors sold per year
 Common supply route via merchants - approx 80%
 Doors installed as any other door
 Attitude - anyone can ‘hang’ a door
 No understanding of certification &
‘test evidence’ requirements
 Most people FORGET that a fire door
MUST work in the event of a fire
 “An engineered safety device”
The common issues
 New build
 Changing the spec “to save the client money”
 Cutting costs = cutting corners
 Poor skills / poor workmanship
 It’s ONLY a door!
 Lack of understanding of how fire doors work
 Industry reliance on building control to ‘police’ new buildings
 Existing buildings
 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
 How can the client understand?
 Poor skills / poor workmanship / poor maintenance
 It’s ONLY a door!
 Lack of understanding of how fire doors work
 Recent ‘high profile’ fires
 Rosepark / Lakanal House
 Heavy fines / Prosecution
How can we get it so wrong?
Does someone
REALLY believe
this will work in a
fire?
Photos by kind
permission of
CheckMate Ltd
. . . and in new buildings too
Poor workmanship & poor advice
Taking note of signage
How many ways can you
hold open a fire door?
Theodore Firedoor Favourites
Highlighting bad practice
Keeping the pressure on the market
Dedicated campaign highlights 4
major areas where contractors and
clients may be vulnerable
•
Non-compliance with Building
Regs
•
Non-compliance with RRO
•
Lack of adequate insurance
protection
•
Insufficient protection for life or
property
Help and education
Consistent messages & information
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Maintaining pressure on the
various stakeholders
Closer working with insurance
sector
Encouraging members to
cascade information to clients
Educational tools such as
Videos and Fact Cards
Better engagement through
merchants
Consistent approach to inspections
Competent Approved Fire Door Inspectors (FDIS)
What are fire doors for?
Passive Fire Protection
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
o as a doorset,
o or as an assembly.
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
We expect a jobbing builder or small
contractor to be able to install a complex
engineered fire safety device .
With components bought from . . .?? . .
What he doesn’t realise is
ALL of those components have to
be able to work together to
ensure the door assembly
will work effectively in the event
of a fire
Who is responsible?
Fire Doors - They’re YOUR responsibility
 It doesn’t matter where
you are in the circle or
what your role is
 Applies to new installations
 Applies to existing doors
 We are ALL responsible
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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 &
Wales :
Approved
Documents
Scotland :
Technical
Handbook :
sections
Northern Ireland
: Technichal
Booklets
- Where a fire door is required
- The fire resistance period
expected
- Specific requirements e.g.
smoke seals and signage
B
2
E
- Minimum sound resistance
performance of the door
E
5
G
- Minimum air transfer gap
required under the door
F
3
K
Thermal
- Minimum thermal performance
of the door if required
L
6
F
Accessibility
- Access to buildings for disabled
people, including door width,
hardware locations, opening
forces, provision of vision panels
and light reflectance values
required
M
3
R
N
4
V
Performance
Fire Safety
Sound
Ventilation
Safety
Glazing
Notes
- Where safety glass is required
Regulatory Reform Order (2005)
Existing buildings
Applies to England and Wales:
Fire (Scotland) Act
•
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•
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•
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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
Building handover requirements
Regulation 38 – England and Wales
New build
Client Ownership
Understanding certification
What does it tell us?
How do we know it’s correct or upto-date?
Should doors be tested & certificated?
 You need proof of fitness for purpose
 Comply with building regs.
 A test certificate indicates that the 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
 Each configuration requires a NEW test
Certification is crucial
 So how do I know if the door is a fire door?
 Label
 Plug
 Copy of test evidence
 If you have none of these . . .
 then there’s a doubt about its ability to perform
 An ‘expert’ assessment can be made
 But it’s expensive
How to trust ‘Fire Test Evidence’
Self
declaration
Certificate
3rd party
accreditation
Test Information
“Tested to BS 476 Part 22”
 The simplest form of ‘Test Evidence’ approval is ‘Self
Declaration’
 Manufacturer makes their own claim of conformity
Common claims:
“Complies with …”
“Designed to …”
“Tested to …”
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These claims are no guarantee that products will meet the right standards
or that they will continue to do so.
What’s the risk?
Risk to the end user or specifier
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May not have been tested
If it was- when?
Not impartial
May not meet all requirements
To what standards?
What about ongoing product manufacture?
These claims are no guarantee that products will meet the right standards
or that they will continue to do so.
BEWARE : There are a growing number of products on the market with such claims
The Certificate
Producers or manufacturers may have ‘tested’ their
product to provide ‘evidence’
 They have a certificate – but WHEN was it issued?
 Caution also needs to be taken with this information
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Was the sample representative of what is ALWAYS produced?
What standards were the product tested to?
Was the test independent?
Will future products be the same?
 What if . . . .
 materials change?
 processes change?
 designs change?
It’s only a snapshot test
Third-party Accreditation
 Third party accredited product conformity certification schemes not
only provide a means of identifying materials and designs of
systems, products or structures which have demonstrated that they
have the requisite performance, but additionally provide confidence
that the systems, materials, products or structures actually supplied
are provided to the same specification or design as that
tested/assessed.
3rd party Accreditation
Warrington Certification is the UKAS test
laboratory who conduct independent
testing of doors and components and audit
check members
The performance of
timber doors is judged
by subjecting them to
the standard test
procedure specified in
BS 476 : Part 22: 1987
or BS EN 1634-1: 2000.
Tests are made on
complete door
assemblies, the door
and frame with all the
necessary hardware.
Doors +
components can
be traced up or
down the supply
chain
The BWF-Certifire label
Permanent, Tamper Evident, Full Traceability
Manufacturer and
contact details
Mfctrs
Certifire
No.
Fire door
rating
Unique
door No.
46
Fire Door Certificates
What to look for . . .
Door types and configurations:
• Flush, panelled, glazed, etc
• Single door*
• Pairs of doors *
• Single or double action / swing*
A separate door test is usual to cover each
type /configuration shows that is fit for the
application
* These are shown as :SA / SL (Single Acting – Single Leaf)
SA / DL (Single Acting – Double Leaf)
DA / SL (Double Acting – Single Leaf)
DA / DL (Double Acting – Double Leaf)
Door types
You may have specified FD30 but . . .
 Each door type requires a different construction - AND a different
test
 And it MAY NOT be suitable for glazing
Panel
Moulded
Panel
Flush
Glazed 1 ½ pair
with screen
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
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Hinges
Closers
Locks and latches
Handles
Knobs
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 Accredited
 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?
 Don’t consider upgrading an ordinary door with intumescent paints
 It’s a very specialised job
 You can’t apply the paint accurately enough with a paint brush
 Don’t patch up the door
Door Frame
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Is the door frame made from the right
material?
 Hardwood for 1 hour and above
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Is the door frame firmly attached to the
wall?
Is the planted stop firmly attached to the
frame?
Is the frame-to-door-leaf gap consistently
3mm (with a tolerance of +/- 1mm)?
Does the door close evenly into the frame
Gaps between door
and frame or threshold
Mind the gap
The gap is important
The gap should
be 3 to 4mm
between the
frame and the
sides and top
edge of the door
Threshold Gap
 If a Fire Door – the permissible
threshold gap is ~ 10mm. (Check
the manufacturer’s instructions)
 If a Fire and Smoke Door – the
permissible threshold gap should be
3mm – the same as the perimeter
gap.
 Does the door freely swing, without
binding?
Intumescent and smoke seals
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Must be tested to BS 476: Pt 22
(OR BS EN 1634-1:2000 AND a separate test for smoke leakage
under BS 476: Pt 31.1)
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Typically fitted into groove in door leaf OR PREFERABLY frame.
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Fitted along 2 vertical sections and top edge
 not fitted to threshold
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Save lives, and property - prevent flow of cold / hot smoke
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Should be supplied fitted by manufacturer.
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If replaced due to repair MUST be equal to original doorset /
assembly
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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 FD30’s
and no substitution allowed on FD60’s
 Are there any seals present in the door leaf or
frame?
 Are the seals free from damage?
 Are the seals continuous around the door leaf’s
perimeter?
 Are the intumescent seals, graphite or sodium
silicate?
 If combined fire and smoke seals, are the fins
or brushes free from damage?
 Is the door leaf to frame gap still 3mm (+/1mm)?
Intumescent Materials
3 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 firerated safety glass?
Other apertures
in doors
Letter boxes
Air transfer grilles
Spy-hole viewers
Must all be cut by licensed
processors
NOT on site
Unprotected
slots and
apertures
Fire Rated ATG’s
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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 electromechanical 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
Ironmongery for Fire Doors must
be compatible with the door
Essential Ironmongery
Non-Essential Ironmongery
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Hinges
Closers
Locks and latches
Handles
Knobs
Spy holes
Letter plates
Function of door closers
Code of Practice
Essential reading
Read or download this
document from
www.firecode.org.uk
How Safe are YOUR Fire Doors?
Conclusion
How safe are YOUR fire doors?
Conclusion
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Only specify / use 3rd-party accredited fire doors
Ensure they are installed / maintained by competent persons
Get them checked or inspected by competent personnel
ONLY use the correct compatible components for the door leaf
Don’t play with fire - don’t cut corners
If in ANY DOUBT, then ASK
Further Information
Directory of members - Literature and Fact Cards
www.bwfcertifire.org.uk
Websites
for more information & advice
www.bwfcertifire.org.uk
www.fdis.co.uk
Online installation video
Check the certificates
“
Third party certification is the only way to ensure
that Fire Doors are manufactured consistently to
protect lives and save property.
Cutting corners can cost lives.
“
Views / Comments / Questions
ANY QUESTIONS?