The Art of Design Issue 40 2019 | Page 94

94 FORM, FUNCTION AND FIRE Although Vicaima are well-known for the robust conclusions drawn by the MHCLG into manufacture of on-trend and innovative composite and GRP doors; and their failure to interior door designs, it is sometimes pass a 30-minute fire door test. forgotten that their prowess extends beyond simply form and function. Vicaima also This result precipitated the removal of many stretch the perceived boundaries and market of these GRP products from the market norms when it comes to the performance of and led to a call for timber fire doors to be risk critical products, most notably fire doors independently examined by government as and door assemblies. well. Vicaima FD30 (30 minute) timber fire doors Architects and designers will no doubt be recently tested by the Ministry of Housing well aware of the vital role they play in the and Local Government (MHCLG), achieved an decisions which ultimately leads to the supply astonishing 54 minutes. of safe products. As important specifiers in the build process, they have a duty of care Tested on the most onerous side of the door, and therefore it is essential to have a clear this result was exemplary and once again understanding, that should products fail to illustrated Vicaima’s superior fire door and perform as intended, they may also share doorset capabilities, at a time when well- responsibility for any consequences that may being and personal protection has never arise. been more closely scrutinised. Vicaima’s fire performance range removes Speculation regarding the actual safety of doubt, with rigorously tested, third party social and commercial use, offer specifiers timber fire doors had been much talked accredited and fully traceably products. the safe choice when it really matters and in the knowledge that innovative design and about this year, following the government enquiry into the tragic events of Grenfell and Whether doors are required to meet FD30 related risk critical products. And perhaps this or FD60 rating, offer additional Secure by was only to be expected, given the less than Design (SBD) compliance or to meet exacting acoustic criteria, Vicaima designs for private, performance really can go hand in hand. www.vicaima.com