» IT HAS BEEN FOUR YEARS since the Grenfell Tower fire , which claimed 72 lives . The inquiry is continuing , and the English building regulations are still largely unchanged . Many in the fire door industry , including DHF , are feeling frustrated at what appears to be slow progress , although with some of the systemic problems that are being addressed , there is hope .

For example , the recent passage of the Fire Safety Act 2021 ( covering England and Wales ) has clarified the responsibility for fire safety inspections of flat entrance doors . This amends the Regulatory Reform ( Fire Safety ) Order 2005 , specifying that the “ responsible person ” under the Order is responsible for , among other things , flat entrance doors . Previously , this was not entirely clear . DHF welcomes this clarification , which should serve to improve standards of maintenance . The industry is rising to the challenge , with one outcome being an upsurge in demand for fire door inspection

training . DHF has seen this increase in demand first hand . It works collaboratively with the BRE Academy to provide a series of training courses , one of which is fire door inspection . So far this year , there have been thirty-seven courses delivered and a raft of online courses taken .

The importance of fire door maintenance has been confirmed by recent evidence to the Grenfell Inquiry , in which it was revealed that inspection of the flat

entrance doors in Grenfell Tower generally took place only when a resident moved out or during major work programmes . Following the fire , it was discovered that approximately two thirds of the door closers were broken or missing . This led to some fire doors remaining open and , undoubtedly , played a part in the tragic loss of life .

Shocking disclosures from building materials manufacturers at the Inquiry have preceded the recent creation by the government of an independent review of the construction products testing regime . Evidence at the Inquiry has suggested that the existing system made it too easy to cheat and , again , DHF welcomes a more rigorous and thorough approach .

“ We look forward to cooperating with the review and continuing to promote third-party certification of fire doors as part of the solution to this problem ,” says DHF ’ s General Manager , Michael Skelding . The review is headed

by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day QC .

Product information is the focus of another initiative supported by DHF : the Code for Construction Product Information ( CCPI ), which is due to be launched later this year . This has been created by the Construction Products Association ( CPA ) to help ensure that information about construction products is always clear , accurate , up-to-date , accessible and unambiguous . The code , while voluntary , is supported by major contractors , which will help to ensure its success .

“ DHF is delighted to be able to play a part in these various initiatives , whether led by government or industry , which are helping to improve the construction industry ’ s competence ,” concludes Michael . “ It should also lead to the availability on the market of correctly tested products , accompanied , of course , by accurate performance data .”

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