The new Be Certain, Be Certified awareness campaign offers free guidance and resources to highlight the importance of third-party certification of fire doors in improving fire safety standards across the UK.
third-party certification
Third-party certification of fire doors provides independent evidence of the performance of a fire door and ensures that its performance data was not a one-off result.
The campaign also gives expert insight into the third-party certification of fire doors, detailing the testing, verification of product performance, and manufacturing process controls undertaken by an independent body.
Fire doors
There is a lack of understanding throughout the supply chain over fire door performance and compliance"
The British Woodworking Federation is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK. It has around 600 members. CEO Helen Hewitt said, “Fire doors play an essential role in protecting building occupants from the spread of smoke and fire and can be the difference between life and death."
"But there is a clear lack of understanding throughout the supply chain over fire door performance and compliance, which means we continue to see fire doors that are not fit for the purpose used across the UK, putting lives at risk.”
Fire Safety Act 2021
The Fire Safety Act 2021 paves the way for flat doors to come under the remit of the Fire Safety Order and the enforcement responsibilities of fire and rescue services.
Helen Hewitt responded to the latest change in fire safety legislation and the introduction of the Building Safety Bill in the next parliamentary session.
meeting fire door standards
“Now is the time for all building owners, landlords, and specifiers to ensure that their fire doors meet the correct standards."
"Only through specifying fire doors that are third-party certified can building owners, managers, and occupants have peace of mind that their fire doors will be fit for purpose, in terms of fire resistance and smoke control, and perform as designed in the event of a fire.”
Fire Door Alliance
Fire Door Alliance's vision is that every fire door/fire door sold in the UK meets the required standards
The Fire Door Alliance is operated and managed by the British Woodworking Federation, and its vision is that every fire door/fire door sold in the UK meets the required standards throughout its service life.
Third-party certified fire doors manufactured, or modified, by a BWF Fire Door Alliance member, carry a label with a unique code. This provides access to vital information such as the name of the fire door manufacturer or processor, certification information, and product specification and production records.
regulated regime
Helen Hewitt, CEO added, “There is currently no mandatory requirement under Building Regulations for organizations, public or private, to use third-party certified fire doors, and we’ve seen a significant number continuing to use non-certified doors, despite knowing the dangers that improper fire doors pose to building occupants and users."
“At the BWF Fire Door Alliance, we believe the only way to ensure a fire door is fit for purpose is through third-party certification. Alongside the Be Certain, Be Certified campaign, we will continue to lobby for a regulated regime of independent third-party certification of fire doors to be enshrined in law to help protect lives across the country.”