Purchasing Fire Doors

You have specified a Fire Door.

But can you tell the difference between a certified door which meets your requirements and one which does not?

It is often not so easy to determine if what you have been offered, or have received is tested and certified to meet the performances you require. Simply installing a door which has been tested is no certainty. Has the door been tested to the size and configuration of its intended use? All too often we have encountered situations where through misinterpretation or misrepresentation inappropriate doors and doorsets have been incorporated. To this end, we have a 10 point checklist which you may find beneficial

• Prior to placing an order, be satisfied that the company can certify the doors you require and, if necessary, obtain certificates before ordering.
• Ensure that doors are manufactured using the same material and construction details as specified in the test report.
• Confirm that doors will carry metal plates (Republic of Ireland only).
• Ensure that certificates issued cover the most demanding door size and configuration of your requirements.
• Ensure that certificates issued are in the name of the door manufacturer. Renaming of certificates cannot be conducted. See NAMAS requirements M10,12.12.
• If glass openings are incorporated, ensure that certification allows for their required size, location and number. Commonly quoted glass areas always have maximum height and width limitations which are not often disclosed.
• Do not accept the inclusion of glazing by assessment. Ensure openings are included from successful test evidence. Proprietary glazing systems are inadequate for incorporation into the fire door.
• Confirm that frame materials are at least equal to those the doors were tested with. Sectional dimensions and density.
• Ensure intumescent details are identical to those with which the doors were tested, including intumescent size and material.
• Ensure that doors are suitable for the incorporation of the proposed ironmongery. There are three main items for consideration – hinges, locks/latches and door closers.
• Stock door or blanks are unlikely to meet current building regulations or your performance requirements.