FIRE SAFETY
legislative requirements . For example , all doors located on an escape route must have suitable exit hardware installed , which is determined by a number of factors including building size and whether it is public facing or not . In addition , it is also a legal requirement for all exit devices to comply with the latest revisions of EN 1125 or EN 179 and to possess UKCA and CE markings .
Similarly , one of the most significant gaps in fire safety is the installation of fire door hardware . Fire door integrity can quickly become compromised by hardware alignment issues and improper installation methods . As a result , the door may not be able to latch or close fully from its standing position , leaving gaps large enough for fire and smoke to pass through . Whilst there is currently no legal framework to assess the competency of installers , responsible persons are encouraged to appreciate that installation is a specialised task . During installation , installers must also look to follow manufacturer guidelines and fittings instructions , which should be supplied with all third-party certified fire doors and hardware .
When it comes to maintenance , it ’ s vital to recognise that even durable door hardware can become worn and tired in high-footfall environments and may need repairing or replacing over time . A damaged or ineffective self-closing
device for example , can limit the closing action of a fire door and prevent it from fully closing into the frame - rendering it useless in the event of a fire . As part of regular fire risk assessment duties , responsible persons should perform quarterly checks on fire doors - as well as annual checks on flat entrance doors and self-closing devices in HMOs . A competent assessor must ensure that the entire fire door is in working order , reviewing the certification , door integrity , glazing , gaps , seals , hinges and closing elements . If a fire door isn ’ t operating as intended , it ’ s imperative to seek out professional advice and ensure maintenance is carried out both quickly and professionally .
In any circumstance , under the latest regulations , responsible persons must cooperate , coordinate and share necessary information with others in order to comply . With that in mind , dependable fire door hardware devices will be supplied with full product information from the manufacturer - including the Declaration of Performance
( DoP ), third-party certification and product data sheets . Transparent and accurate construction product information is more readily available than ever before and highlights whether a product complies with the necessary standards - helping duty holders to ensure the most suitable fire door hardware solution is being applied in the correct way .
More than that , with it being made easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance , it is necessary to become educated on key fire door safety themes , such as specification , installation and maintenance . Whilst fire safety practice may be complex by nature , it pays to understand the fundamentals .
www . allegion . com
https :// www . gov . uk / guidance / ukca-marking-conformity-assessment-and-documentation , https :// www . gov . uk / guidance / ce-marking , https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = b55d9rsnT6M , https :// single-market-economy . ec . europa . eu / sectors / construction / construction-products-regulation-cpr / declaration-performance-and-ce-marking _ en
SEPTEMBER 2024
47
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal . co . uk