PROFAB ACCESS PLEDGES ITS SUPPORT FOR COMPREHENSIVE RISER DOOR FIRE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

Following the release of the Hackitt Report, amendments to Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and more recently the issuing of the Draft Building Safety Bill, the adequate testing and corresponding certification of fire doors, including riser doors, is being placed under increased scrutiny. As part of this year’s campaign, which begins on 21st September, Profab Access is encouraging the industry to achieve complete compliance by specifying riser doors that have been rigorously fire tested in both directions by an accredited third party and are supplied with comprehensive certification. Due to the ambiguity and disparities between the guidelines outlined in BS EN 1634 Standard and Annex B of Approved Document B2, some manufacturers may only conduct product assessments, or physical fire testing from only one direction. However, Annex B of Approved Document B2 (Buildings other than Dwelling Houses) stipulates that the requirement for fire doors is for test exposure from each side of the door separately, with the only stated exception being lift doors. As riser doors are not symmetrical either in the door or frame, Profab Access believes these types of fire doors should be subjected to fire testing from both directions, going above the guidance outlined in BS EN 1634 to ensure complete compliance with the legislation outlined in Annex B of Approved Document B2. This not only demonstrates a clear trail of due diligence that supports Dame Hackitt’s ‘Golden thread’ of documentation with regard to the performance of a building’s fire integrity, but provides architects and specifiers with the confidence the riser doors are supplied with the highest standards in fire testing. Mick Hill, Lead Technical Manager at Profab Access, said: "This year’s Fire Door Safety Week provides us with the ideal platform to discuss the importance of ensuring the performance, compliance and certification of riser doors with regard to fire testing, in order to fulfil due diligence by making sure the highest levels of protection are being provided. "Professionals must be confident the riser doors they are specifying will not fail in the event of a fire and this can only be achieved by choosing fire integrity products that have undergone extensive fire testing by an accredited third party. This provides architects with the confidence and assurance they have demonstrated all reasonable measures to ensure the riser doors meet the current legal standards and will not fail in the event of a real fire event." This Fire Door Safety Week, professionals have the opportunity to achieve the principles outlined in the Draft Building Safety Bill by confirming the riser doors they specify for upcoming projects deliver complete compliance. This alsoensures a building will continue to provide the highest standards in fire safety throughout its entire lifecycle. As a result of its commitment to providing clients with the highest standards in fire testing and certification, Profab Access is the first manufacturer in the UK to currently test its fire integrity riser doors bi-directionally through an individual accredited third party. For further information on Profab Access and its range of riser doors, access panels, and steel doors, call +44 (0)1827 719051

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