Door Industry Journal - Spring 2021

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 108 THE door industry journal spring 2021 Fire Doors, Safety & Security As lifesaving equipment, it is important that key legislation is met regarding fire doors and closers, to ensure they work as needed in the event of a fire. Here, Scott Copeland, Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect highlights the requirements. Fire Doors and Closers: What You Need to Know There are several considerations for building owners to make an informed decision on fire door specification and maintenance. These are critical, lifesaving pieces of equipment – so the wrong specification, or a lapse in upkeep, can have catastrophic effects. In England and Wales, Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, Section 2 in Scotland and Part E in Northern Ireland, provide guidance on mitigating fire risks in all areas of the building and states that fire doors must be self-closing, fitted with a closing device and must also be CE marked and certified to demonstrate they are fit for purpose. When it comes to fire doors, there are simple checklists and tests that building owners can use to assess whether or not the door is fit for purpose, or if existing doors need simple maintenance or full replacements. Hinges Fire doors must have a minimum of three CE Marked Fire Rated hinges, with all screws fitted and intumescent pads used. The hinges should also be free of metal fragments and oil leakage, which are signs of extreme wear. Additionally, if the hinges squeak when the door opens or closes, this is a sign that they must be replaced immediately. Closers and Hold Open Devices Door closers should comply with BS EN1154 Controlled Door Closing Devices, or BS EN1155 for electromagnetic closers and fire door holders. In order to comply, the product must be CE Marked, and be supplied with a Declaration of Performance (DoP) from the