Door Industry Journal - Spring 2020

115 THE door industry journal spring 2020 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Fire & Security Added assurance Testing for and compliance with performance standards provides the base information from which products can be considered for specific applications. Further assurance can be gained from third party certification. Where fire door performance is concerned, the industry is led by the British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Alliance, which extends the work of the Certifire Fire Door and Doorset Scheme. The Fire Door Alliance covers not only fire door manufacturing, but also fire door conversion, ironmongery, intumescent seals and glazing systems. Its mission is to ensure that only third-party certified fire doors, installed by certified companies, should be used in the UK. Products which are certified under the Certifire scheme and the manufacturer’s subscription to the Fire Door Alliance will provide additional assurance when selecting fire doors and their components, both in the performance and quality of the products themselves and in the manufacturer’s commitment to ensuring that their products and systems meet the highest possible standards. Making the right choice When selecting the right door closer for any fire door situation, the first task will always be to ensure that the product meets relevant fire performance requirements and has the appropriate accreditations. Further assurance can be gained by seeking genuine, independent third-party certification, by ensuring that manufacturers’ claims are clear and unambiguous and by selecting products from a manufacturer with a reputation for quality and reliability. Once these criteria have been satisfied, skill and judgement need to be applied in interpreting regulations correctly and considering less rigid criteria, such as reliability, maintenance requirements and other factors that can have a significant influence on the safety of a building’s occupants. Powermatic door closers carry the CE mark, assuring their suitability for use on fire doors. They are also the only Certifire jamb-mounted door closers. They also deliver additional benefits which enhance fire door reliability and provide the convenience in operation to assure a building’s fire safety British designed and manufactured to the highest standards of quality and engineering excellence, they not only deliver reliable performance but also provide safety to a building’s occupants whilst minimising maintenance costs. On a whole-life costing model, Powermatic can prove to be a worthwhile investment for fire door applications in all types of building.