A4.4.1 Introduction
Under current Fire Safety legislation (Fire Safety) Order 2005, any premises where persons are employed to work or members of the public may visit (for payment or otherwise), must have "preventative" and "protective" measures in place. "Protective measures" includes determining the number of fire compartments within the building, which also includes the location and number of fire doors required. This will ensure that occupiers or visitors will be able to escape from fire via a protected means of escape route usually protected by fire resisting doors.
The old custom and practice of ‘knocking up’ fire door frames, hanging a fire door leaf and believing that the results constituted a valid fire door installation was never correct, and undoubtedly places property and lives at risk. The best way to ensure that a fire door is installed using the correct frame is by purchasing a fire door frame from the door leaf manufacturer, preferably as part of a door set, or from a company certificated to produce fire door frames for that manufacturer’s door. This ensures that you get a fully compatible and certificated end product.
The role of the specifier is as critical as anyone’s in the life of a fire door. The specifier’s role, being at the beginning of the project, is an opportunity not only to identify where a fire door is required and what its rating needs to be, but to set the standard by insisting on a third party certificated product.
The specifier has the opportunity to look at the fire safety of a building as a whole, and as such, make decisions on what fire safety products are required to ensure the safety of the occupants in the event of a fire. While product costs are always a consideration to specifier’s, decisions on the quality of a product are made with safety in mind. If you leave the decision of fire doors quality to someone further down the process, are they going to make the decision based on the safest option or the cheapest?
The specifier can prevent this situation arising by insisting on a third party certificated product from the design stage.
Manufacturing members of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) -CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Door set Scheme supply more that 75% of the fire doors used in the UK each year. With the Scheme representing both volume manufacturers and manufacturers of bespoke, made-to-measure fire doors, there is a third party certificated option available for every situation at competitive prices.
There is no reason to avoid specifying third party certificated fire doors.
A4.4.2 Selection of Certified door sets
Just like any passive or active fire protection system, it is essential for a
fire door to perform its vital task in the event of a fire.
To satisfy UK Building Regulations, a door design must pass a recognised fire test, or an assessment based on test evidence. Tests are usually conducted in a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) approved laboratory, with the intention of checking that the design meets current standards and to prove that it will hold back a fire for a prescribed period of time.
The test is conducted on a door assembly which has been supplied by the manufacturer, with no independent selection or assurance that subsequent production will be to the same quality or specification. It is important to understand that a test report is only valid for the door assembly that has been tested. So a single leaf door assembly test is not valid for an assembly involving pairs of doors, nor a double acting single leaf door.
The BWF recommends that all fire door designs should also be third party certificated to offer a safeguard for important aspects which are not covered in a single fire test. Third party certification tests and verifies a fire door’s design, performance, manufacturing process & the associated procedures, quality assurance, the audit trail from manufacture to installation and identification marking.
Every fire door design manufactured under the (BWF) -CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Doorset Scheme has been independently tested and certificated as proof that, all things being equal, it will be reliable in the event of a fire. But it is not only the fire door itself that has to be certificated. Anyone involved in the handling of certificated doors, whether manufacturing the frames, inserting glass vision panels or installation, should be able to demonstrate through independent certification that they are capable of doing the job to the required standard.
Although it is vital to use certificated components when completing a fire door assembly, it is also important to ensure that the components used are compatible. It is wrong to assume that all certificated components will work effectively together.
The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Door set Scheme has a variety of labels to suit the different ratings and requirements of each job. These labels have the manufacturer’s name and phone number, and where applicable the certification number, a unique serial number and the rating, printed on them.
A4.4.3 Installation of Fire Doors
Proper installation is integral to fire door performance. It is one of the final and, arguably, most crucial stages of the work carried out on fire door sets.
As manufacturers & suppliers go through the extensive and committed process of having their doors and components rigorously tested in accordance to the latest standards, the installation procedures become ever more important to ensure that the fire door remains fully reliable.
The correct installation of fire door assemblies and doorsets is fundamental to their overall performance because it will ensure the fire door will remain reliable to its fire integrity rating in the event of a fire.
A fire door set is correctly installed in the furnace when it is tested, so therefore it must be installed correctly on site so that the door will perform in the same way when needed.
Incorrect installation defeats the purpose of certificated fire doors, certificated components and certificated hardware because in a fire, the smoke and gases it produces can easily travel through the gaps left by incorrect installation.
A certificated half hour fire door which is incorrectly installed may only provide 5-10 minutes of fire resistance. In order to avoid risking people’s lives, BWF-CERTIFIRE manufacturers provide specific and comprehensive installation instructions with every door which must be rigorously followed by the installer. Installation instructions are specifically written for each particular door design in accordance with its relevant fire test.
THEREFORE, INSTALLING FIRE DOORS IS NOT A STANDARD TASK, IT IS A SPECIALISED TASK.
The advice in the installation instructions just takes a moment to read and even though installers may have been fitting fire doors for years, the instructions will inform the reader of detail specific to that door. More importantly, it will offer that peace of mind to the installers and will result in fewer site difficulties.
Not following the instructions can prove fatal in the event of a fire and will invalidate the certification because installation is the last stage of the entire certification process.
If you come across a BWF-CERTIFIRE certificated fire door that – for whatever reason –does not have these installation instructions, then you should speak to the site manager from where you obtained the door or contact the manufacturer of the fire door; details can be found on the label stuck on top of the fire door leaf.
If there are no instructions, you may be installing a fire door that has not been third party certificated. The BWF recommends that you contact the manufacturer of that fire door and obtain instructions direct from them.
Where possible the frame to wall gap should be limited to 10mm, but some fire doors will allow up to 50mm if identified in the installation instructions. The gap should be filled with a material fibre or intumescent foam to ensure flames cannot penetrate.
Trimming allowances will be clearly identified in the installation instructions but as a general rule are limited to 5mm off the bottom and 3mm off the stiles. Taking more off the door may affect the structure of the door reducing the expected performance. Never trim the top of a Certifire door due to the positioning of the identification label. If it is destroyed or removed you need to contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
The role of essential ironmongery is to hold the fire door in place in the event of a fire. Door closers, hinges, locks and latches are all considered essential ironmongery and must therefore be made of a metal that has a melting point above 850 degrees Celsius such as steel, phosphor bronze and brass.
There is now a variety of tested and certificated door closers available to fit all design requirements. Concealed over head and jamb mounted closers are now used on fire doors where you don’t want the closer visible when the door is in the closed position. Also certificated floor springs are now readily available and used in double leaf configurations. If hold open devices are used, they must be in-line with the closer to ensure the door does not distort and only used if linked directly to a fire warning system.
Products that are considered non-essential ironmongery, including handles, letter plates and air transfer vents, do not have a direct role in holding the door in place but can still have a significant effect on the fire door achieving its rating. It is critical that non-essential ironmongery is chosen and installed as per the door leaf installation instructions which may require intumescent sleeves or paste being used.
Ideally, a non-certificated fire door should not be installed where a fire door is necessary and it is highly recommended that you change your supplier in order to obtain fire doors manufactured under the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Door set Scheme. The BWF is committed to supporting FIRAS, the third party certification Scheme for the installation of passive fire protection products. Members are trained and taught how exactly to install a fire door. All certificated FIRAS Installers are obliged to stick a unique and fully traceable label on every fire door they install.
Note: As a requirement of the FIRAS Schemes, certificated companies are required to employ, on a permanent or contract basis, competent Supervisors and Technicians (Operators) whose technical and practical competence is assessed by FIRAS Inspectors in the trade disciplines for which certification scope is held. A register of competent employees is maintained for each certificated company, which is regularly reviewed to ensure that the company maintains a competent workforce whose abilities remain current with the work scope the company provides.
Once certificated, all FIRAS Registered Installer Companies are subject to ongoing random inspection of their installation work on ongoing contracts along with an annual audit of their office systems by FIRAS Inspectors to ensure that compliance with FIRAS Scheme Requirements is maintained.
A4.4.4 Fire Door Register
A maintenance log should be kept and all doors given a unique reference number. Each building should have its own Register – a copy of which should be kept in the building.
A4.4.5 Maintenance of Fire Doors
Regular maintenance of fire doors is also required, which will ensure all escape routes are protected and maintained in a safe condition.
A4.4.5.1 Why is it important to maintain a Fire Door?
Just like any passive or active fire protection system, it is essential for a fire door to perform its vital task in the event of a fire. As with any similar life-saving product, a fire door should be regularly checked to ensure it functions properly and is ready to use. It is exactly the same as testing the battery of a smoke alarm or having the pressure of a fire extinguisher checked regularly.
Most of the time, a fire door is used like any other door, and is subject to the day to day wear and tear of opening and closing as people pass through. The building and the surrounding environment can also change and affect the door. It is important to check if regular use or changes to the surroundings affect it in any way.
Any slight alteration to the door or its surroundings can affect the performance of the door. This can result in a half hour fire door lasting a lot less.
So, once a fire door has been installed correctly, it needs to be maintained regularly to ensure that everything is in working order.
Periodic checks should be carried out at least once every six months. Newly occupied buildings may require more frequent checks in the first year of use. Where a door is heavily used, it should be checked every three months.
A4.4.5.2 Follow the instructions
Every Fire Door produced by a BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme Manufacturer is supplied with the Installation, Care & Maintenance Instructions. These instructions will tell you how and when to maintain that particular door.
As a helpful guide some of the most important points to be considered are listed below, the key areas you should include in your periodic maintenance checks
The door and frame must remain square and should not be able to distort between the stiles, top and frame. The gaps must not be greater than those specified in the manufacturers’ installation instructions- typically 3-4mm. This is also true for the meeting stiles of double doors. If the door leaves have minor surface damage, then these can be repaired. However, if there are any major defects in either the door leaves or the frame, they must be replaced.
If the glass is cracked or broken, then it must be replaced immediately. If not, then in the event of a fire, the smoke and gases will travel through the glass, which means that the fire door will not last its fire rating. This work must only be undertaken by companies with appropriate third party certification or by FIRAS accredited installers.
If seals have been badly fitted or are damaged, then they must be replaced with the same type that was originally specified. If the smoke seals have to be replaced, then they should be fitted in one continuous length if possible. If fixed piecemeal, they could potentially leak at the joints. You should remember that loose smoke seals left flapping can damage a fire door beyond repair.
With a self closing device, open the door fully and check it closes without binding on the floor. Open the door to approx. 5 degrees and again check that it closes fully, overcoming any latch or seal. Check door closing speed to be approx. 10 seconds from 90 degrees and ensure that the door does not slam. Adjust speeds as necessary. Ensure that doors are not being wedged open.
Make sure that door hold open devices are not straining the door against its self closing device. A closer fitted at the top of the door should have the hold open device fitted at the top of the door. A floor spring at the foot of the door should have the hold open device fitted at the bottom.
Check that mechanical hold-open devices have not been fitted. Hold-open devices on fire doors should be electro - magnetic and connected directly to the fire detection and alarm system, so that they can be released automatically if there is a fire. If fitted, make sure that any electro-magnetic hold open device is operating correctly and releases immediately when power is removed.
Make sure that all fixings are secure. Some hinges, closer arms and locks might require lubrication.
REMEMBER, where required YOU MUST REPLACE COMPONENTS LIKE-FOR LIKE, ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION
Hinges - Check that there is no visible wear. Any dark marks or stains around the hinge knuckle could indicate wear and impending failure, meaning the hinges should be replaced as soon as possible.
Locks and lever handles - Check that the levers fully return to the horizontal after use and that the latch bolt is engaging smoothly and completely into the strike. Wipe any metal dust deposits off the latch bolt and strike plate. Adjust, lubricate or replace as required.
BS5499 lays down standards for the size and siting of Fire Door Safety Signs. Signs should be fitted on all non-domestic fire doors and be visible at eye level. If these have been tampered with or removed, they must be replaced.
Fire doors are finished with a variety of facings which require different methods of cleaning. The manufacturer’s instructions will give full details.
You must ensure that the BWF-CERTIFIRE label is in place. You will find it either on top of the door or just below the bottom hinge if it is a door set.
This must never be tampered with in any way, including painting over it, as doing so will invalidate the certification.
