Chris Robinson , Sep 27, 2022 4:18:58 PM
Change is finally here in the world of fire safety and fire certification. The amendments to Fire Safety Regulations 2022 are putting responsible persons under the spotlight, forcing them to carry out regular inspections of their building’s fire doors and fire safety procedures.
One problem that persists, however, is the way in which we certify fire door performance and the loopholes which allow unqualified manufacturers to sell ‘certified’ doorset products.
There are two main ways for manufacturers to offer fire certification, Primary Test Evidence and Global Assessments. But how do these work? & what are some of the dangers still present in fire certification?
Primary Test Evidence (Individual Burns Test)
Primary evidence derives from fire tests carried out by a name manufacturer at a UKAS laboratory. The report details the precise specification of the tested product and the manner in which it was tested.
These test reports are statements of fact, meaning they only apply to the exact product and conditions in which it has been tested. There are no assumptions or caveats to the evidence.
Global Assessments (Field of Application)
Once the primary tests have been completed successfully, the test house will write a Global Assessment or Field of Application report. This third-party assessment will bring together the individual test data into a single document.
Global Assessments are unique in that they can bring together the results of multiple tests and provide a scope and final certification based on all the evidence found.
Global Assessments (Field of Application) should only be used as part of a third-party certified scheme such as Q-Mark Fire Door Manufacture. This ensures that the manufacturer and manufacturing process is regularly monitored and audited.
The manufacturer and their critical factory production control systems must undertake a fire test periodically. The third-party certification scheme also provides a traceability element to each doorset which will link the doorset back to the initial certificated scope.
The Problem With Global Assessments
Unfortunately, it is not illegal for none qualified manufacturers to manufacture under a Global Assessment scheme. This can lead to issues down the line as the procedures and understanding required to manufacture performance doorsets will not be evident.
Due to the latest amendments of the Fire Safety Regulations 2022, clients are more anxious than ever about specifying fire-certified doorsets. The lack of legislation preventing unqualified manufacturers from accessing the Global Assessment scheme is making clients weary of the reliance on this Global Assessment scheme.
The result? Clients are now requesting Primary Test Evidence for each and every combination of doorset that they specify for their project.
Why can’t I just request Primary Test Evidence?
Each project is entirely different from the next. Fire doors are prevalent and required in a wide array of buildings, ranging from schools to hospitals.
Due to the unique nature of each building, there is often a requirement for a wide range of designs and specifications in one single project.
It’s highly unlikely that one model of a fire door can be used explicitly throughout an entire project. Most commonly, the suite of doorsets we provide to our clients includes various fire door types and a range of joinery and ironmongery additions.
The sheer number of possible combinations makes it impossible to supply Primary Test Evidence for every door in every possible situation.
The Solution To Fire Certification Dangers
Unfortunately, until legislation prevents unqualified manufacturers from creating life-saving performance fire doorsets, this problem will persist. Clients will continue to value Primary Test Evidence of each doorset combination over a more complete certification process such as Global Assessment.
At RW Joinery we are aiming to solve this issue by testing the most onerous and extreme design of doorset and screen combination over and above what is required for the Welsh and Scottish Housing Authorities.
We are partnering with Fire Door Safety Week and Halspan to test a highly-complex doorset combination including multipoint locking, a letterplate, and a door viewer.
By submitting our doorsets to these extreme burn tests, we shall be able to easily provide Primary Test Evidence for all lesser versions of this tested combination.
If you’d like to discuss your project in more detail, why not talk to an expert today? Simply fill out the form below or call us on 0161 480 8722.
