In December 2022, the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published amendments to both volumes of Approved Document B Fire Safety: Approved Document B: Fire safety – Volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments – for use in England Approved
Thermory and Woodsafe Timber Protection, the largest players in their respective industries, announce collaboration to provide thermally modified and durable fire-protected wood. Woodsafe Timber Protection AB WOODSAFE® Europe’s largest manufacturer of durable fire-resistant impregnated wood, and Thermory AS, the world’s largest manufacturer of thermally modified wood, announce collaboration for the
A sustainability initiative has seen passive fire specialist FSi cut the amount of waste water it generates by more than 550,000 litres a year. Through a specialist water cleansing system, FSi has successfully reduced the amount of wastewater created though its manufacturing operation by up to 90 per cent. And
By Laura Smith – UK Head of Marketing CPG UK For the offsite sector, the focus is not just on building efficiently, but also manufacturing safe and complaint buildings. To achieve this, it is important that offsite manufacturers and their suppliers collaborate at the earliest opportunity. CPG Offsite Solutions, which
By Patricia Gabriel – Market Manager CPG UK Nullifire has developed a high-performance fire protection solution to meet the unique requirements of off-site construction. Nullifire FZ100 Fire Safe Zone has been engineered to provide best-in-class fire-stopping capabilities to existing and future service penetrations. Quick and easy to install, as well
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1) highlighted numerous failings, one of which was the lack of wayfinding signage in stairwell landings which meant firefighters were unable to easily identify floor numbers when carrying out their duties. As such, the Inquiry recommended (Recommendation 33.27) that the owner and manager of every
With its low cost, timesaving and sustainability-based attributes, modular construction has seen tremendous growth in the last few years. Rick Perkins, global technical manager passive fire protection at Sherwin-Williams, examines the advantages of this approach and how intumescent coatings play a key role in ensuring high levels of fire safety in
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity
Leading manufacturer of life safety products Hochiki Europe, have today demonstrated their commitment to training for life for fire engineers and apprentices with a sizeable donation of life safety equipment to Banham Academy’s new training facility in Derby. Banham Academy are the leading specialist training provider in England delivering the
Fire doors are a vital component of any fire safety strategy – but does current UK regulation go far enough? Ruth Deardon, Product Line Manager at JELD-WEN looks at what can be done to ensure fire doors perform as needed. The critical importance of fire doors has been recognised throughout
BDC 322 : Nov 2024
In December 2022, the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published amendments to both volumes of Approved Document B Fire Safety: Approved Document B: Fire safety – Volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments – for use in England Approved Document B: Fire safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments – for use in England. Approved Document B (ADB) for Fire Safety is statutory guidance authorised under Section 6 of the Building Act 1984 to give practical guidance on ‘common building situations’ about how to meet the legal requirements and regulations of the Building Regulations 2010 for England. ADB is concerned with: • Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape• Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)• Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (structure)• Requirement B4: External fire spread• Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service• Regulations: 6(3), 7(2) and 38. ADB is only required by Section 1 of the Building Act 1984 to address health and life safety in the event of fire in or about buildings, confirmed in Regulation 8 of the Building Regulations 2010. The health and life safety objective of the law of the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010, addressed by the statutory guidance of both Volumes of ADB, is discussed in BDM01 A to Z of Essential Principles for the protection of buildings. BDM01 is an orderly recommendation to investors, on behalf of insurers, not to design and build solely down to the ‘life safety before collapse’ objective on the assumption that the project is a ‘common building situation’. Instead, to define and insist upon the resilience their investment requires, beyond statutory guidance or Building Regulations, it calls for resilient construction innovation to improve health and life safety with measures anticipating likely events involving fire and water. Two volumes of the Insurer ADB have been developed by RISCAuthority and published (as graphical reproductions under Open Government Licence) by the Fire Protection Association, both referencing the Essential Principles:• Approved Document B: Fire Safety – Volume 1 Dwellings – Incorporating Insurers’ Requirements for Property Protection• Approved Document B: Fire Safety – Volume 2 Buildings other than Dwellings – Incorporating Insurers’ Requirements for Property Protection. READ GUIDANCE FROM THE FPA Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thermory and Woodsafe Timber Protection, the largest players in their respective industries, announce collaboration to provide thermally modified and durable fire-protected wood. Woodsafe Timber Protection AB WOODSAFE® Europe’s largest manufacturer of durable fire-resistant impregnated wood, and Thermory AS, the world’s largest manufacturer of thermally modified wood, announce collaboration for the supply of durable thermally modified fire-resistant wood. Thermory’s real wood products with fire protection are available immediately. “I am very proud of the trust from a well-respected pioneer, innovator and industry leader in the field of thermally modified wood. Together we will contribute to a sustainable society with the forest as a resource,” says Woodsafe’s founder and CEO Thomas Bengtsson. “We aspire to improve the environment we live in. Leach-resistant fire protection has been a challenge when creating large public or residential buildings with wood. After a long testing period of comparing different technologies, we are happy to partner with Woodsafe to offer this durable extra layer to our real wood products,” says Simmo Soomets, CEO of Thermory. “It’s inspiring to merge our areas of expertise – thermally modified and durable fire-protected wood – on top of Thermory’s sustainable products and Woodsafe’s low energy production and present our combined solution to the global market,” says Woodsafe’s Product and Business development manager Peter Johnson. About Woodsafe Timber Protection AB Woodsafe is Europe’s largest processing link between the wood industry and the client. We manufacture durable fire-retardant impregnated wood, nothing else. For over 20 years, Woodsafe has supplied fireproofing services to the construction sector for sustainable communities built from forest resources. In collaboration with our partners, we are the market-leading manufacturer of fire-impregnated wood products, with a strong focus on being innovative for a sustainable future. We want to do our part for a sustainable society by producing fire-resistant wood, where the connection between city, life and nature creates harmony and well being. About Thermory AS Thermory is a leading manufacturer of thermally modified wood and sauna materials with over 25 years of experience and a global network of distribution partners in 50+ countries. Thermory’s mission is to leave a lasting impact – to enhance the environment around us with sustainable real wood products, reduce the footprint of our operations, keep innovating and improving. Using only heat and steam, Thermory creates durable and climate-resistant interior and exterior cladding, decking, flooring and sauna materials that are unrivalled in both performance and beauty. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A sustainability initiative has seen passive fire specialist FSi cut the amount of waste water it generates by more than 550,000 litres a year. Through a specialist water cleansing system, FSi has successfully reduced the amount of wastewater created though its manufacturing operation by up to 90 per cent. And by re-using the recycled water in its processes, the company has in turn reduced its fresh water consumption by half a million litres. Previously classed as low risk toxic waste due to the presence of contaminants, wastewater generated by the production process at FSi had needed to be disposed of at a specialist centre. However, through a dedicated cleansing process FSi is now able to remove the toxins from the water to allow it to be reused on the site. The wastewater treatment system has been in place at FSi’s manufacturing headquarters in Measham since the start of the year and has had an instant impact. Dave Bennett, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager for FSi, explained: “Through our production processes we create a large amount of low risk contaminated wastewater. Prior to the introduction of the new process around 650,000 litres a year were going into low-risk waste disposal, which was something that we wanted to find a solution to. “We went all over the country looking for a suitable product that could process wastewater and eventually found I and C Industries in Glasgow, which said they could get our wastewater clean to a brown water state that we would be able to dispose of, or put back into our process. “That is now going back into our processes, or we are using it for hosing down works areas, such as cleaning up mixing equipment. Mixes are made in 1300 litre batches and need to be cleaned after use, so the water has been ideal for that. Once used in our processes it will then be recycled again. “As a result of this we’ve managed to bring our wastewater down to around 10 per cent of what it was.” The water is treated through a process known as flocculation, which adds materials to the water that change its chemistry, increasing the size of the particles to draw out chemicals, which can then be pulled out of the water and separated. The result is a sludge-type substance of low-level contaminants that is then taken away from the site to be disposed of at a specialist low risk contaminant waste facility, and the remaining treated water is re-used on site. The reduction in the amount of wastewater needing to be transported from the site for disposal brings further potential savings in carbon emissions. The introduction of the wastewater treatment system is part of a wider scheme to minimise waste across FSi’s operation, which has sought to drastically cut waste and increase efficient recycling, including adding a greater level of control to ensure efficient end recycling. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Laura Smith – UK Head of Marketing CPG UK For the offsite sector, the focus is not just on building efficiently, but also manufacturing safe and complaint buildings. To achieve this, it is important that offsite manufacturers and their suppliers collaborate at the earliest opportunity. CPG Offsite Solutions, which encompasses seven brands – Nullifire, Illbruck, Tremco, Flowcrete, Dryvit, Nudura and Vandex, is an excellent example of how industry collaboration in practice allows for specialist solutions to be developed for the offsite sector. A fabric first approach relies on early engagement with offsite modular manufacturers to make buildings safer from the outset. Working closely with partners, CPG Offsite Solutions offer a range of passive fire protection products for both service penetrations, and inter-module junctions. Penetration Seals: Penetration seals are passive fire protection systems used to maintain the fire resistance of a wall or floor that has services passing through it. In the event of a fire, the penetrations caused by these services can undermine the integrity of a buildings fire safety precautions. Service penetration seals such as Nullifire’s FP220 Service Sleeve, or Nullifire FP170 Intucollar Intumescent Pipe Collar provide an effective solution to this problem. FP220 Service Sleeve is a pipe closer device which comprises of an intumescent material within a stainless-steel shell. Expanding when exposed to fire, this device reinstates the fire performance of compartment walls which have been penetrated by combustible pipes. Suitable for installation prior to a module being transported to site, FP220 provides up to two hours fire resistance (tested to EN 1366-3) and is ultra-slim in design ensuring quick and easy installation. FP170 Intucollar Intumescent Pipe Sleeve is another penetration seal which is suitable for offsite construction. Expanding when exposed to fire, this product has been tested with a wide range of combustible pipes, insulated non-combustible pipes and network cable bundles (up to 125mm). This product is easy to install within modules and provides up to 4 hours fire resistance (tested to EN 1366-3). Module Junctions: Offsite manufacturing inherently creates joints between modules or panels. Ensuring that adequate fire protection is installed within these areas is critical to the fire strategy of the building. CPG Offsite Solutions offer a range of tested and certified passive fire protection products for module junctions, including, Nullifire FJ203 Fire Resistant Rope, as well as Nullifire FJ400 Intuspan Intumescent Joint Filler. FJ203 Fire Resistant Rope has been designed to reinstate the fire compartment requirement in linear gaps such as those created by module or panel junctions and is tested to EN 1366-4 achieving up to four hours fire resistance. Nullifire FO142 or FO143 Silicate Adhesive may be required for installation. Nullifire’s fire resistant rope is easy to apply, easy to cut and can accommodate joint widths of up to 150 mm. Saving time and money within offsite construction. FJ400 Intuspan Intumescent Joint Filler, is also a popular choice for module junction protection. Typically offering 60% physical movement capabilities, this product has been tested in linear joints from 12 mm to 115 mm gap width and is suitable for use between horizontal and vertical elements. Offering up to two hours of fire protection between module junctions, this fully dry system is ideal for high vibration areas and can be installed by hand. How can CPG Offsite Solutions support the offsite market: CPG Offsite Solutions have access to a comprehensive range of tested solutions ideal for the offsite market. Supported by an expert technical team, working closely with their partners to ensure that the correct fire protection solutions are installed within all projects. Find out more about CPG Offsite Solutions today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Patricia Gabriel – Market Manager CPG UK Nullifire has developed a high-performance fire protection solution to meet the unique requirements of off-site construction. Nullifire FZ100 Fire Safe Zone has been engineered to provide best-in-class fire-stopping capabilities to existing and future service penetrations. Quick and easy to install, as well as lightweight and easy to cut, it offers a fully tested system to BS EN 1366-3, up to EI120, delivering Nullifire’s renowed safety performance whilst supporting the fast-track nature of off-site projects. Typically installed at the drywall construction phase, one side of the partition may be fully constructed before application, and FZ100 is able to protect many bespoke off-site penetrations along with standard service requirements. FZ100 identification tape pinpoints the Fire Safe Zone, and within that perimeter, service requirements are marked out and installed with ease. For a fully optimised system from a single source, a cold smoke seal – which is required on both sides of the parition – can be achieved using Nullifire FS702. Paul Wright, National Sales Manager for CPG Offsite Solutions (UK) , said, “Nullifire FZ100 has been optimised to meet the specific needs of modular construction, delivering fire protection for off-site construction, which offers reassurance and peace of mind, as well as delivering time and cost benefits to projects overall.” “The system enables the simple installation of services, does not detract from the acoustic capabilities of the partition, is very low odour and being fully breathable foes not absorb mositure.” “Its high technology formulation is fibre free too, enabling it to be used in clean areas such as hospitals and food preparation areas.” Part of the Construction products Group (CPG UK) portfolio of brands, and previously available in the UK under the Firetherm name, Nullifire products are used extensively across built environments, with the benefit of highly knowledgable technical support and service, to ensure the ultimate peace of mind in the specification process. Paul Wright added, “FZ100 is backed up with the support of Nullifire’s renowed technical department, who understand the building regulations for off-site construction and work closely with designers, main contractors and contractors to ensure safety and performance comes as standard.” “There is assurance and support across the supply chain too. Due to in-house manufacturing all products from Nullifire undergo careful quaility management, are subject to rigourous testing methods and are developed in line with the markets requirements.” “Our focus is to protect people and buildings from fire” Nullifire understands the need to have confidence in the fire protection installed in modern buildings and our systems perform when they are called upon. We focus on making it simple for our customers to choose and install the optimum solution for every project.” Everything is focused on providing what our customers need at every stage of their project – smart protection. Contact Nullfire today for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1) highlighted numerous failings, one of which was the lack of wayfinding signage in stairwell landings which meant firefighters were unable to easily identify floor numbers when carrying out their duties. As such, the Inquiry recommended (Recommendation 33.27) that the owner and manager of every residential building containing separate dwellings carry out an urgent inspection of wayfinding signage to ensure it is visible in low light or smoky conditions and that flat and floor numbers are clearly identified in the stairwells of relevant buildings. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into effect in England from 23 January 2023, making it a legal requirement for all high-rise residential buildings in England to install wayfinding signage in their buildings, including clear markings identifying floor and individual flat numbers to assist the Fire and Rescue Service in navigating their way around, even when visibility is low. The regulations require Responsible Persons in multi-occupied residential buildings which are classed as high-rise buildings, (defined in The Fire Safety (England) Regulations as a building at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys), and also those above 11 metres in height in an identical use of multi-occupation residencies where communal areas and escape routes exist, to provide additional safety measures with the provision of wayfinding signage directly reflecting the building plans, which are required to be made available in a secure information box on site. Existing duties under the Fire Safety Order will make sure that this signage is maintained throughout the life of the building. As part of the best endeavours of the Responsible Person, it would be pertinent that this signage is inspected regularly to ensure it is still in place, legible, and correct in the information it provides. Signage should conform to the specifications and locations set out in paragraphs 15.14 to 15.16 of Approved Document B Volume 1 edition, which incorporates the 2020 amendments, namely firefighting shafts and protected stairways, as well as the individual dwellings. Fire safety signs As it is estimated that a large number of buildings will not have this signage in place, a signage survey should be carried out with immediate effect and any findings should be remedied, with all missing signage put in place. The FPA supplies fire safety signage which can be delivered directly to site for fitting. Find out more about the FPA’s fire safety signage here. FPA Members will receive a 20% discount on all fire safety signage. Not an FPA member? Find out more here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With its low cost, timesaving and sustainability-based attributes, modular construction has seen tremendous growth in the last few years. Rick Perkins, global technical manager passive fire protection at Sherwin-Williams, examines the advantages of this approach and how intumescent coatings play a key role in ensuring high levels of fire safety in modular buildings. Modular construction is the process of creating buildings using off-site prefabricated building components. These components are manufactured in a controlled environment and then transported to the construction site for final assembly. Although this method of construction has been around for decades, in recent years it has gained popularity due to its many advantages. The Need for speed One of the most significant advantages of modular construction is its speed. Building a traditional structure on-site can take months, if not years, to finish. Modular construction, on the other hand, can be completed in a fraction of that time – as modules are manufactured in a factory the construction process can be carried out much more quickly and efficiently. Central to its popularity is the realisation that modular construction does not necessarily result in buildings of a temporary nature. The materials used and methods of constructing them mean that they are built to extremely high standards. The majority of today’s modular buildings have steel frames and a design life of 50 years. However, it is highly likely that they will last longer than that – longer, in fact, than some so-called permanent buildings constructed in traditional ways. Another advantage of modular construction is its cost effectiveness. Since modules are manufactured in a controlled environment, there is less waste and fewer materials are needed. These cost savings can be between 10-35 per cent less than traditional methods, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Safety first Being produced in a factory also means there are fewer hazards than on a traditional construction site – modular buildings are built to strict safety standards to ensure that they are structurally sound and safe for occupants. This is especially evident in their ability to protect against the potentially devastating effects of fire. A large part of this is due to the intumescent coatings that are applied to the structural steel frames that are used in their construction. These are designed to expand when exposed to high temperatures, forming a thick, insulating layer that helps to protect the underlying steel from the heat of a fire. This delays, or prevents, structural failure and collapse, giving occupants longer to evacuate and firefighters more time to respond. Every second counts Since assembled modules are transported and erected as a unit, intumescent coatings make a great choice for fire protection as they are the lightest and most compact form of fire protection available. There are several types of intumescent coatings available, each with their own unique properties and application methods. It is important to engage with a coatings manufacturer as early in the design stage as possible in order to ensure that the most appropriate solution is applied. Depending on the building’s design and structure, intumescent paint has the ability to protect steelwork for 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes in a fire, as required by the designer and building regulations. It is applied by airless spray to a thickness according to the level of protection required, and if the steelwork is visible in the final design it will not detract from the appearance. Application form When applying an intumescent coating, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and coating specification carefully to ensure that it is used correctly and provides the desired level of fire protection. This may involve applying multiple layers of the coating, preparing and priming the surface before application and allowing the coating to dry and cure properly. Using an appropriate intumescent product will mean that it is durable both once in service in the finished building, as well as during construction/erection phase, when it may be exposed to weathering. Some of the latest generations of intumescent coatings are not only very fast drying, they also have excellent mechanical resilience, making them a fantastic option when steelwork may need to be further worked on quickly after coating application. Look ahead The future of modular construction looks bright, with increased adoption likely to transform the way we build and design buildings long-term. However, like any other type of building, fire protection should be a primary concern, so intumescent coatings from leading manufacturers should be used to provide an effective, versatile and reliable solution. By providing a layer of insulation that protects the steel framework from heat, intumescent coatings can help to prevent structural damage and save lives in the event of a fire. For further information please visit https://bit.ly/3iovJNg Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity varied in thickness between 50 to 70mm, making it ideal for the installation of our innovative FIRETITE cavity wall insulation. FIRETITE is the world’s first three-component mineral based insulation developed by BASF. It is fire classification of A2-s1, d0, a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK, contains no harmful pollutants, has no internal propellants and has achieved the best EMICODE emissions classification of EC1 plus. FIRETITE was installed at this development by our registered contractor, Adrian McGirr and his team from Fior Insulation & Fire Protection. Fior are experienced passive fire protection specialists and are involved with FIRETITE because they recognised the benefits and potential for this unique product. “It’s exciting to be involved with FIRETITE as a new innovative solution for fire rated cavity wall insulation. This product can help rectify many of the cavity wall fire challenges we have faced over the last few years”, said Adrian McGirr, Fior Insulation. Project: A residential scheme featuring 216 apartments with private balconies or terraces situated in the heart of the Dublin docks.Developer: Marlet Property GroupMain Contractor: BAM IrelandArchitect: Henry J. LyonsFIRETITE Installer: Fior Insulation & Fire protection LtdScope of Project: Install FIRETITE in specific brick cavity along the atrium wall at ground floor and basementProducts used: FIRETITE Class A2, S1, d0 mineral based cavity wall insulation
Leading manufacturer of life safety products Hochiki Europe, have today demonstrated their commitment to training for life for fire engineers and apprentices with a sizeable donation of life safety equipment to Banham Academy’s new training facility in Derby. Banham Academy are the leading specialist training provider in England delivering the Level 3 Fire Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) apprenticeship to apprentices across the country. Graduates leave the Academy with vital skills and accreditations, enabling them to embark on fruitful careers within the fire and security industries. Apprentices are released from their employer to train at Banham Academy’s educational training centre for 15 weeks, over a three-year period, undertaking a combination of coursework and practical training. Successful completion of the course sees an apprentice awarded with qualifications and invaluable credentials for their careers ahead. Furthermore, as Banham is the first IET-approved centre, employers gain a competitive edge as graduates are officially recognised and accredited by the IET as engineering technicians. Hochiki Europe have donated a range of life safety devices to Banham Academy’s newly opened Derby training centre including addressable panels, smoke and heat detectors, sounder bases and beacons, relay units, call points and remote indicators. Kevin Faulkner, Operations Director, Banham Academy, explained “We are grateful to Hochiki Europe for their donation of life saving equipment to our second training site in Derby. Banham Academy are reliant on donations from manufacturers within our industry to allow our apprentices to continue their training on industry-leading products that are trusted and are of the highest quality. Competency of installing, commissioning, and maintaining leading security and fire systems is an important part of the learning that we provide at the Academy. This vital hands-on learning allows our graduates to leave being proficient in handling lifesaving products and systems with the utmost of knowledge and care.” The Derby facility is Banham’s second Academy, allowing them to deliver their apprenticeships to even more young people across the UK from both their London and Derby sites. Not only is the training centre bigger, but crucially the location will make it more accessible for students based in the North. Nathan Hudson, Sales and Marketing Director at Hochiki Europe said “We were delighted to help Banham Academy because we know how important it is to encourage and support career development as well as helping the next generation of life safety engineers across the country. Compliance is crucial in our world, we design and manufacture products which are trusted to not only save lives and property, but also reduce false alarms, but this is only possible when the installation is compliant. Our aim with this donation is to enable Banham Academy to deliver hands on, compliant training using the latest life safety technology”. To date Banham Academy Derby has 125 students currently enrolled, but by the end of the year they are expecting that number to rise to 200. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fire doors are a vital component of any fire safety strategy – but does current UK regulation go far enough? Ruth Deardon, Product Line Manager at JELD-WEN looks at what can be done to ensure fire doors perform as needed. The critical importance of fire doors has been recognised throughout the recent scrutiny and revision of building regulations following the Grenfell tragedy, where a system found “not fit for purpose” by the Hackitt Review has been overhauled and strengthened to improve the fire safety of our buildings. This has led to the creation of the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which seek to address many of the recommendations made in Dame Hackitt’s report. These sit alongside, and in some cases modify, existing legislation impacting fire doors such as the Building Regulations Approved Document B and the Fire Safety Order. This new legislation sets requirements on how fire doors are maintained by a designated “Responsible Person”. All high-rise buildings, where applicable, will be managed by a Building Safety Manager, who oversees the fire door specification, door fitting and maintaining these in service. Without doubt, this is a welcome move towards increased responsibility on fire safety, but does it go far enough? JELD-WEN believes that without formal training or qualification for installing fire doors, we are missing one vital component in managing this risk. Fire doors are a specialist construction item and due to reliance on past accepted practices we rely on a fitter’s competence and duty on how well they fit doors on site. Even a perfectly manufactured fire door will ultimately fail if it is not installed or maintained correctly. This is a question not only of training, but also visibility across stages of a building’s life. Achieving a “Golden Thread” for construction projects, where all named stakeholders have access to a trail of readily available fire safety informationwill make a huge difference to how well fire doors are installed, maintained and, when necessary, replaced. Right now, this isn’t part of our building regulations. The definition of “Responsible Persons” still must be defined in context of the Fire Safety Act. Duties around fire door checks, any remedial work needed and other practices within the life span of a fire door again require attention. What can be done? Ultimately, fire doors are one of the most critical safety features of any building but will only perform as they should if properly specified, installed, inspected and maintained. Here at JELD-WEN we believe that there are a number of key areas of focus to address if we are to ensure every fire door can perform as intended. Firstly, we think it is worth looking at areas where stricter legal requirements could be implemented. The most important criteria is making it mandatory to use only third-party certified fire doors which will ensure best-in-class practice and the door’s consistent performance. This should be coupled with ensuring all fire door installations and maintenance work is carried out by qualified and accredited fire door installers. Making it a legal requirement to mark every fire door with its source manufacturer and performance will help to improve the traceability of doors within the UK housing stock. This task could be managed as part of a mandatory “Golden Thread” standard as it outlines how fire door information should be stored, updated and shared. This data should include manufacturer name and third-party certification, installation details, maintenance records, and blueprints all stored in an easily accessible digital format. Finally, more government support is needed in tackling the fire door safety skills gap, including creating more apprenticeship opportunities and an education campaign designed to raise awareness of the opportunities available within the sector. Looking to the future Ultimately, while the UK’s overall fire strategy is certainly shifting in the right direction, there is still some way to go, particularly when it comes to fire doors. A fire door, after all, is much more than just a door. It is one of the most critical components of limiting the spread of fire in a multi-storey building. As an industry, we must continue to work closely on each part of the fire door process to limit avoidable risk and help to keep people safe in their homes. After all, every fire door properly installed and maintained is another chance to save lives. For more information on the JELD-WEN range of commercial fire doors visit: https://www.jeld-wen.co.uk/behind-every-doorset/
