Product Identifiers labels and marks found on fire doors
Fire door awareness course
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Preparing for inspections: tools, planning & key principles
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Key Conversations in Fire Door Safety - Today
As fire safety continues to evolve, the forthcoming Fire Safety Event will be one of the year’s most essential gathering of professionals across the sector.
Bringing together industry leaders, the event will provide a vital platform to explore the latest developments shaping fire protection and compliance. The Fire Safety Event takes place at The NEC from 28th - 30th April. A number of our contributors are attending the event, so please look for stand numbers and information, throughout this edition.
It is with great pleasure that Fire Door Journal introduces The Fire Door Association, the UK’s only holistic fire door body - an organisation built not around a single product, manufacturer or trade interest, but around the entire ecosystem of fire door safety. From specification and testing through to installation, inspection and ongoing maintenance - the Fire Door Association takes a whole- lifecycle view of what it means for a fire door to perform as it should. Read the full article from page 4.
Three years on from regulations, landmark data reveals 65% of social housing fire doors fail safety standards. Sentry Fire Safety Group have published the findings from its comprehensive nine-month investigation into the safety of social housing fire doors across England. The report, A BURNING ISSUE: The Reality of Fire Door Safety in Social Housing, reveals systemic shortcomings in fulfilling the requirements of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The full report can be downloaded on page 8
Turn to page 24 to read our article on Rethinking Fire Door Safety, where Sue Corrick, of Allegion UK, discusses a dangerous inconsistency in fire door safety and how Allegion’s team of experts are supporting professionals by closing knowledge gaps. Whether it’s boiling the kettle, charging your phone or changing a lightbulb, it’s second nature to be cautious when handling a potentially dangerous object. We learn these habits early and it helps foster a culture where the risk of common appliances, technologies and commodities are routinely recognised. However, there’s another everyday item that often gets overlooked and doesn’t receive the same level of attention: fire doors.
Chris Champion Editor
Raising the Standard: Introducing the Fire Door Association
Fire doors are a critical line of defence in the event of a fire, but their effectiveness depends entirely on the rigour applied at every stage of their lifecycle. The Fire Door Association’s main objective is to ensure that rigour is never left to chance.
What is the Fire Door Association?
The Fire Door Association is the UK's only holistic fire door bodyan organisation built not around a single product, manufacturer or trade interest, but around the entire ecosystem of fire door safety. From specification and testing through to installation, inspection and ongoing maintenance - the Fire Door Association takes a wholelifecycle view of what it means for a fire door to perform as it should. That distinction matters. Fire door safety is not a single-discipline concern. It sits at the intersection of construction, compliance, materials science, regulatory policy and professional competency. An association that speaks credibly to all of those areas - and connects those working within themserves a fundamentally different function to a trade body or product certification scheme.
The Fire Door Association was established to fill exactly that gap: to be the body that brings coherence, credibility and collaboration to a sector that affects the safety of everyone who lives and works in buildings across the UK.
“That distinction matters. Fire door safety is not a single-discipline concern. It sits at the intersection of construction, compliance, materials science, regulatory policy and professional competency. An association that speaks credibly to all of those areas - and connects those working within themserves a fundamentally different function to a trade body or product certification scheme.”
Roundtable at Sentry Doors, Doncaster
Our Ethos: Collaboration, Competency,
Clarity
Three values underpin everything the Fire Door Association does:
Collaboration
Fire door safety does not belong to any single part of the industry. Manufacturers, specifiers, installers, inspectors, building owners and regulators all have a role to play. The Fire Door Association brings these groups into conversation - facilitating the kind of crosssector dialogue that produces better outcomes for everyone, most importantly for the people whose safety depends on these doors working correctly.
Competency
Standards are only as good as the people implementing them. The Fire Door Association, working in partnership with FDM Training, is committed to raising the level of knowledge and skill across the fire door sector - ensuring that those who specify, install and inspect fire doors have the training and understanding to do so effectively and accountably.
Clarity
The fire door sector is complex and the regulatory landscape can be difficult to navigate. The Fire Door Association is committed to making that landscape more accessible - through clear guidance, industry consultation and plain communication of what compliance actually requires.
KuhnOdice UK at FDM Training & Development, Bury
GGP Installer Awards 2026, The Midland Hotel, Manchester
What the Fire Door Association Does
The Fire Door Association’s work spans four core areas:
Standards & Compliance
• Engaging directly with regulatory developments, responding to industry consultations and helping members understand and apply the standards that govern fire door performance.
Testing & Certification
• Supporting a robust understanding of testing methodologies and certification requirements, including the technical processes that underpin fire door performance assessment.
Training & Competence
• In partnership with FDM Training, developing and promoting professional development pathways that raise competency standards across the sector.
Industry Representation
• Acting as a unified voice for the whole fire door sector, fostering connections between organisations and individuals who share a commitment to higher standards.
“The question is never simply whether a fire door has a certificate. The question is whether it will perform - correctly specified, correctly installed, correctly maintained and correctly inspected. That is what the Fire Door Association exists to support.”
The Road Ahead
The fire door sector is at an important moment. Post-Grenfell regulatory reforms have placed building safety firmly in the public consciousness, and the expectations placed on everyone in the built environment supply chain - from manufacturers to building managers - have never been higher. The Fire Door Association is wellplaced to help the sector meet those expectations. Through its consultation work, its commitment to training and competence and its role as a genuine convener of industry expertise, the Fire Door Association is building something that the sector has long needed: a trusted, independent and authoritative home for fire door safety.
If you work in or around the fire door sector - whether in manufacturing, specification, installation, inspection, or regulation - the Fire Door Association is for you.
PartB at FPA, Blockley
Element Warringtonfire, Birchwood, Warrington
Out & About
Taking the Fire Door Association to the Industry
One of the things that sets the Fire Door Association apart is its visible, active presence across the fire and wider built environment sector. The Association does not operate at a distance from the industry it serves - it shows up, engages and listens.
Andrea is a central part of that presence. Whether attending sector awards ceremonies, visiting testing facilities to engage directly with technical processes, participating in industry roundtables or speaking at events, she brings the Fire Door Association into rooms and conversations where it matters. Her approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful representation is earned through relationships - and that relationships require face-to-face engagement, curiosity and consistency.
This rhythm of engagement - part strategic, part relational, always purposeful - is how the Fire Door Association builds its network and its credibility simultaneously. Every conversation is an opportunity to understand what the sector needs, to share what the Association is working on and to identify where collaboration can produce better outcomes.
If you are attending an industry event, participating in a working group, or simply want to connect with the Fire Door Association directly, Andrea would be glad to hear from you: andrea.taylor@firedoorassociation.com.
United Kingdom Testing & Certification (UKTC), East Kilbride, Glasgow
Parliamentary roundtable, Westminster, London
Three years on from regulations, landmark data reveals 65% of social housing fire doors fail safety standards
Sentry Fire Safety Group (Sentry) today published the findings from its comprehensive ninemonth investigation into the safety of social housing fire doors across England. The report, A BURNING
ISSUE: The Reality of Fire Door Safety in Social Housing1, reveals systemic shortcomings in fulfilling the requirements of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
It highlights a clear gap between the intent of post-Grenfell fire safety legislation and reality – a gap that leaves residents exposed to avoidable risk.
Based on Freedom of Information (FOI) data from 88% of England’s local authorities2, the research provides the first national snapshot of fire door compliance since mandated annual inspections were introduced in January 2023.
The three-pillar failure: inspection, performance and remediation
The findings identify a critical gap between legislative intent and “on-the-ground” delivery across three key areas:
• The inspection gap: Despite a legal requirement for annual checks, the vast majority of social housing fire doors remain uninspected. Only 46% of flat entrance doors and 89% of communal doors have been inspected at least once since January 2023.
• The performance gap: Two-thirds of fire doors (63% of entrance doors and 67% of communal doors) failed to meet the FD30 legal minimum — a 30-minute fire-resistance standard that has been a building regulation requirement for over 30 years.
• The remediation gap: Accountability is stalling. 63% of noncompliant doors are still awaiting repair or replacement, and 51% of local authorities currently have no formal plan in place for remediation.
Jon Gatfield, Executive Chair of Sentry Fire Safety Group, said: “It has been three years since the regulations came into force and our research shows that implementation has not progressed at the pace required to protect residents. Without intervention, non-compliance will persist. We are not here to apportion blame; our goal in publishing this research is simple: to support measurable risk reduction, drive stronger accountability and strengthen protection for residents. We need a coordinated, cross-sector response to ensure safety obligations are delivered in practice, not just in principle.”
A Burning Issue - Fire Safety & Social Housing
Regionally, the underlying data shows even greater variation3, both in performance standards and levels of inspection activity. Furthermore, the research presents only a partial picture: housing associations manage similar numbers of properties but are exempt from FOI requests so there is limited transparency on their inspection and compliance rates. Sentry estimates similar levels of underperformance and non-compliance.
There are well-recognised, systemic constraints behind these outcomes, which are identified in the report. Although Sentry initiated this research, it believes that a cross-industry and multiagency approach is essential to counter these and ensure meaningful change. Sentry engaged with policymakers, regulators and industry leaders ahead of publication and its findings were peer reviewed and validated at an industry and policy meeting4/5, where recommendations for structural solutions were gathered.
www.sentryfiresafetygroup.co.uk
www.sentrydoors.co.uk
Bob Blackman MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fire Safety, said:
“Fire safety failures are preventable. We must address the structural weaknesses, from funding to greater transparency, before further risk accumulates, to ensure every resident is protected by standards that are actually enforced. Addressing these issues is critical to safeguarding vulnerable tenants and ensuring homes are genuinely safe from fire. With collective action, we have a chance to turn regulation into reality.”
1 The white paper, A BURNING ISSUE: The Reality of Fire Door Safety in Social Housing, is available at: https://sentrydoors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fire-Safety-In-Social-Housing.pdf
2 Research impetus and methodology – As a supplier to the sector, Sentry had long suspected that the mandated inspection and remediation programme for fire doors was not progressing at the rate required. In the absence of any data, Sentry initiated this national evidence-based research project to quantify the extent of the issue:
• Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were submitted to 296 local authorities across England to obtain direct, verifiable data.
• 88% of local authorities (261) responded to the request, with 176 (67%) authorities providing usable data.
• Seventy five local authorities (29%) reported that their social housing is managed by housing associations, and therefore outside FOI scope. Ten (3%) formally declined to provide data.
3 Regional highlights
• Headline data for each region can be found in the report and underscores the uneven progress in fire door compliance across England.
• Reflecting its concentration of high-rise housing stock, London presents the highest risk concentration with the lowest front door inspection rate (33%) and FD30 certification (19%) and the highest number of non-compliant doors (44,129), representing 66% of all non-compliant doors in England).
• The North East shows particularly low certification levels (20% front doors; 10% communal), despite strong communal inspection coverage (99%).
• The South West demonstrates the strongest communal inspection performance (98%) and high communal FD30 compliance (97%)
4 The Fire Door Safety in Social Housing Industry Roundtable took place on 26 February 2026 and included representatives from Fire Door Maintenance, UAP, STARK UK, George Boyd, CLC, Fire Door Association and the Fire Safety Unit of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
5 The Fire door Safety in Social Housing Policymakers’ Roundtable took place on 2 March 2026 and included representatives from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fire Safety, Building Safety Regulator, Fire Safety Unit of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Association of British Insurers and London Fire Brigade.
Meet The Panel
Get acquainted with our Expert Panel, here to answer your questions and discuss the topics that matter, value your opinions and listen to your ideas.
You are invited to submit technical questions, requests for general advice and comments. This will provide the panel with the opportunity to share their perspectives and respond where appropriate, share their thoughts and offer guidance where they can.
Please send your questions and comments to: christina@firedoor-journal.co.uk
Nicola John Managing Director, Fire Door Maintenance Training and Development
(FDM by UAP Ltd)
Andrea Taylor Business Development Director, Fire Door Association
Andrea Taylor is an experienced compliance professional whose career combines legal rigour, technical expertise and an exceptional ability to build relationships across industries.
After graduating with a law degree and building
an early career in the legal sector, Andrea transitioned into the compliance world in 2009, holding roles at globally recognised organisations including Intertek, SGS, BSI, and Element Warringtonfire, as well as within medical device manufacturing. Across these roles, she developed extensive expertise spanning regulations, testing, inspection and certification (TIC), system certification and software products – giving her a broad and versatile understanding of the regulatory and assurance landscape.
Known within the industry as a natural connector, Andrea has built an extensive network of professionals, clients
As the Managing Director of the Fire Door Training Academy, Nicola is passionate about elevating fire safety standards. The award winning academy, housed in a stateof-the-art training centre, is dedicated to equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure fire doors are installed, inspected, and maintained correctly. Their mission statement is to significantly improve safety and standards in the fire door industry. The recent legislative changes underscore the critical importance of fire safety in buildings. The demand for specialised training in fire door inspection, installation and maintenance is unprecedented. Nicola’s team comprises fire safety experts, educators and support staff, committed to elevating fire safety standards.
FDM was established to address the growing need for high-quality fire door training after the Grenfell tragedy, ensuring professionals across the industry have the skills and confidence to meet evolving fire safety regulations. Since launch, FDM has partnered with over 50 industry
leaders and top suppliers of door sets and components, including Falcon Timber, GGF, Mann McGowan, Lorient, PDS, IG Doors, Sentry, Strongdor, NorDan, and many more. A round table was recently hosted at FDM head quarters, composing of an indomitable team of fire safety experts, including the esteemed Dame Judith Hackett, resulting in The Fire Door Maintenance Report.
You can obtain a free copy of this report.
Please email the publisher of Fire Door Journal to receive your electronic copy. Raising Standards in the Fire Door Industry
and stakeholders across the compliance and fire sectors. Her relationshipbuilding skills were recognised when she was singled out by name in the award speech by ASFP for the Highest Engagement Award won by Warringtonfire in 2024 – a team accolade that reflected, in no small part, her individual contribution, all in less than a year of being with the organisation.
For over two years, Andrea has applied this compliance expertise specifically within the fire sector, gaining knowledge of its standards, challenges and stakeholders. She now brings this experience to her role as Business Development Director at the Fire Door Association, where she is focused on driving industry engagement, raising standards and championing the critical role of compliant fire doors in life safety.
Mike Rigby
Managing Director, MRA Research and the MRA Team Members
Bryan Bultema Managing Director, ODL Europe
Bryan Bultema is Managing Director of ODL Europe, part of the global ODL corporate group with over 80 years of experience in developing high-performance building products. Based in Bootle, Liverpool, ODL Europe is focused on building value into building products and setting higher standards for safety, performance and sustainability.
As a panelist for the Fire Doors Journal, Bryan shares insight into how the fire door sector is evolving to meet stricter regulatory requirements and growing expectations for reliability and traceability. Under his
leadership, ODL Europe has invested in advanced solutions that provide consistent performance and assurance across the supply chain.
Central to this approach is the Guardsman FD30 Fire Door slab. Developed in collaboration with Capstone Engineering and leading fire door fabricators, the Guardsman is a nextgeneration GRP composite fire door designed to deliver dependable performance every time. Tested under UKASaccredited conditions, it consistently exceeds its FD30 classification, achieving burn times of up to 70 minutes. Constructed with Agrifiber cores, FSC® certified timber and durable GRP skins, it combines safety with sustainability and long-term resilience.
Bryan continues to drive ODL Europe’s commitment to delivering proven, accredited composite door solutions that give specifiers, contractors and building owners complete confidence in performance.
Mike Rigby Founded Michael Rigby Associates (now MRA Research, MRA Building Markets Reports, and MRA Data Services) in 1991 to bring new insight and direction to the building materials, construction and home improvements sector. With a background in both consumer and trade markets, including 10 years in marketing and research at Dulux paints, time as head of marketing at a national builder’s merchant, and as marketing director of a national home improvement company, he understands the challenges facing the home-improvement and construction industries.
Mike’s experience of fire safety: Mike was involved in PR for the Passive Fire Protection Federation for several years in the 2000’s. Exova, the Fire Service, ASFP, the Government and other bodies were PFPF members, so he heard the inside stories and went to Westminster with the chair and deputy chair when the Government tasked the PFPF with leading one of its task forces. The Lakanal House fire, a prequel to Grenfell, and a fire in the Channel Tunnel occupied the team for a
Chris Champion Editor, Fire Door Journal
An experienced and professional journalist and Editor with significant experience across a wide variety of businesses including the composite door and fire door industry, the window, door and glass industry in general, landscaping products and manufacturing. Experienced presenter and speaker at seminars, conferences and exhibitions with many television and radio appearances. Skilled interviewer and writer of editorial material, articles and press releases. 60 years of work experience with 35 years at Director level.
long time. The PFPF was eventually merged with the ASFP. Mike also worked on PR for a leading group of passive fire protection products. MRA produced the ‘Fire Door Quarterly Trends’ survey for the BWF and its fire door scheme for 10 years, which appeared in BMN magazine. When Grenfell occurred, the Government knew so little about fire doors and fire safety that they sent a bunch of officials to one of Mike’s clients to learn about fire doors. After the Grenfell Inquiry, Judith Hackitt tasked the CPA to consult the industry on it’s Marketing (loose and unsubstantiated claims), and the CPA asked MRA Research to consult the industry on the new code (which is now run by the CCPI - Code for Construction Product Information). Since then MRA Research has worked on a research project on specifiers and fire products for a large international, and has just conducted fire safety research for another large group.
Mike is a member of the Market Research Society, a liveryman of Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, and Worshipful Company of Marketors.
Wojciech Brożyna Managing Director, Aluprof UK
Wojciech Brożyna is Managing Director of Aluprof UK, a leading supplier of aluminium systems for windows, doors, and façades. With more than 20 years’ experience in the fenestration and construction industry, he has played a key role in delivering safe, sustainable, and high-performance solutions across the UK and Ireland.
Wojciech, one of the directors of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), has been actively engaged with industry institutions and trade bodies, strengthening collaboration across the sector. He promotes compliance, innovation, and education to ensure Aluprof’s systems meet the highest technical and fire safety standards.
Wojciech works closely with architects, contractors, and specifiers to raise awareness of fire door performance, certification, and regulatory requirements, supporting safer building design. His focus lies in combining technical expertise with practical guidance to help the industry meet Gateway 2 obligations and wider responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.
George Edwardes Technical Director, Fire Protection Association
As the FPA’s Technical Director George oversees the strategic direction and delivery of the FPA’s technical services, supporting its mission to reduce fire risk and improve safety standards across the built environment. The FPA is deeply involved in the assessment, testing and training related to fire doors, providing:
• Specialist training courses to ensure fire doors are installed, maintained and inspected by competent professionals
• Fire risk assessments and compartmentation surveys to ensure fire doors are installed and maintained correctly
• Full scale fire testing at our laboratory to both British and European furnace test standards.
George and the FPA continue to support industry, insurers, and regulators with evidencebased guidance and technical expertise, helping to ensure that fire doors fulfil their critical role in protecting lives and property.
Steve Goodburn Business Development Director, Pyroguard
Steve Goodburn is Business Development Director at Pyroguard, a leading global manufacturer of fire-safety glazing solutions. With extensive experience in Business Development, Key Account Management and manufacturing operations, Steve brings both commercial insight and technical expertise to the sector. He is a strong advocate of a systembased approach to passive fire protection, recognising the need for fire doors to be tested and certified as complete assemblies.
A regular contributor to industry debate, Steve has authored RIBA-approved CPD materials and delivered presentations to architects, specifiers and manufacturers on the correct specification of fire-resistant glazing. He has also driven product innovation, including the launch of Pyroguard Advance for timber and steel fire-door systems. Passionate about safety and design, Steve views the fire-door industry as a unique responsibility: safeguarding lives while supporting architectural creativity.
Ian Glenister Technical and Sales Manager, DoorCo
Ian Glenister has worked across a range of sectors within the fenestration industry over the last 40 years including Production, Quality, Operations, Sales Management and Certification. With knowledge across commercial, retail and trade sectors, Ian’s knowledge of fenestration as a whole is vast, making him the perfect candidate to spearhead DoorCo’s fire door operation.
Since the Grenfell tragedy and the subsequent MHCLG investigation, DoorCo have actively been working towards a fire door solution to meet the needs of the supply chain in the changing world of fire doors and with an emphasis on consistency. Working closely with key suppliers including their slab manufacturing partner, DoorCo Korea, Ian has been the project lead for one of the largest and most successful type testing fire door projects in the UK.
Gareth Jeffries is the Commercial Sales Director of Permadoor and Wrekin, part of the Epwin Group. Permadoor, the UK’s original composite door manufacturer, is an industry leader in the design and supply of highperformance composite fire doors for the social housing and affordable homes sector. Renowned for innovation, the business is committed to compliance, sustainability and product performance.
With more than seven years at Permadoor and extensive experience in the building materials sector, Gareth plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth. He ensures the business remains ahead of evolving Building Safety Act requirements and stricter regulations, while aligning the needs of specifiers, contractors and building managers with innovation in compliance and performance. Passionate about raising standards, Gareth provides invaluable insight into how regulation, sustainability and safety can be translated into practical solutions that deliver safer, more sustainable homes and genuine peace of mind for all stakeholders.
Karen Trigg Business Development Manager, South East, Allegion UK
Karen started her journey in the architectural ironmongery sector in 1994 and has built an established career grounded in technical expertise and customerfocused service. Drawing upon 30 years of industry experience, Karen supports architects, contractors, door manufacturers and end users with expert guidance on fire door hardware specification and performance and remains committed to raising awareness on key themes such as fire safety, building regulations and testing standards.
Since joining Allegion UK in 2017, Karen has advised local authorities, architectural ironmongers and manufacturers on all aspects of fire safety and door hardware, ensuring projects are equipped with the most suitable, effective and compliant fire door hardware solutions.
Karen is also a strong advocate for continued education and professional development, holding qualifications such as DipGAI and DipFD that complement her extensive industry knowledge. Her passion for fire safety performance makes her a trusted voice for those committed to delivering safe, secure and accessible buildings.
Jonny Millard Managing Director, UK Fire Door Training
Jonny Millard is the Managing Director of UK Fire Door Training. A qualified teacher and fire door inspector, Jonny founded the company with a clear mission: to raise standards in fire safety training while keeping training affordable and accessible. What began as a small family business has grown into one of the nation’s leading authority
Owen Jones Technical Director, Distinction Doors Ltd
Owen Jones brings over 30 years of experience in the construction products industry, having begun his career with IG Limited in 1990. He later joined IG Doors Ltd as Technical Development Manager, contributing significantly to its growth into one of the UK’s largest composite door set manufacturers.
Since 2021, Owen has served as Technical Director at Distinction Doors Ltd, where he leads the technical development and supply of composite door blanks and components, including
on fire door competence and one of the fastest growing training companies in the country. Training over 10,000 professionals across installation, inspection and maintenance. UK Fire Door Training is recognised for its high- quality practical courses, delivered in purpose-built centres and through mobile rigs that bring hands-on learning directly to clients nationwide.
Alongside its practical courses, the company provides an extensive library of online CPD and compliance courses, ensuring that learners at every level can stay current with legislation and best practice. Every course is created and delivered by industry experts, combining technical precision with real-world application.
a fully tested fire door system. His expertise spans the manufacture of GRP, ABS, and steel composite doors within timber and PVC-U frames.
A Chartered Engineer and BFRC-accredited thermal simulator, Owen is committed to advancing product standards and safety. He was instrumental in founding the Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM), serving as Technical Director and Vice Chairman, and currently chairs the ACDM group within the GGF.
Owen has contributed to key industry initiatives, including post-Grenfell discussions with MHCLG, and has held roles on several BSI committees, notably chairing the latest revision of BS 8529 for composite doors. His collaborative approach and technical insight make him a respected figure in the sector and a trusted voice in regulatory development.
BS 8214:2026 A real shift for the fire door industry
The latest update to BS 8214 doesn’t just tweak the previous guidance, it changes how the industry is expected to think about fire doors altogether.
For years, the standard was largely associated with timber doors and treated them, in practice, as individual products. That approach no longer reflects how buildings are designed, built, or managed today and the 2026 revision makes that clear.
From Timber Focus to Industry-Wide Guidance
One of the most noticeable changes is scope.
BS 8214:2026 now applies across the board, to timber, steel, aluminium, and composite fire doors. That might sound obvious, but it’s a significant step. Modern buildings rarely rely on a single material, and the guidance now reflects that reality instead of lagging behind it.
Fire Doors as Systems, Not Products
The biggest shift, though, is conceptual.
Fire doors are no longer treated as standalone items. The new standard frames them as part of a complete system, whether that’s a doorset, an assembly, or a kit.
In practical terms, that means performance isn’t just about the door itself. It’s about how everything works together: specification, installation, interfaces, and ongoing maintenance.
A compliant fire door isn’t something you simply install and walk away from anymore, it’s something that has to perform properly over time.
More Attention on Smoke, Not Just Fire
Another area that’s been strengthened is smoke control.
The updated guidance puts more emphasis on sealing gaps, integrating with wider smoke control strategies, and aligning with standards like BS 9991. It’s a reminder that in many realworld scenarios, smoke is just as dangerous as fire, and often more immediate.
Built Around Today’s Regulations
This update hasn’t happened in isolation. It sits alongside major legislative changes, including the Building Safety Act and the Fire Safety Act.
What BS 8214:2026 does is tie everything together more clearly:
• Product marking requirements (UKCA/CE)
• Dutyholder responsibilities
• The “golden thread” of building safety information
• In other words, it connects technical guidance with legal accountability in a way that wasn’t as explicit before.
A Stronger Focus on the Full Lifecycle
The idea of lifecycle responsibility isn’t new however, it has been reinforced. The standard now gives clearer direction across every stage:
• Choosing the right system
• Installing it correctly
• Inspecting it properly
• Maintaining it over time
This reflects a broader industry shift away from “fit and forget” and toward ongoing responsibility.
Tackling Installation Failures Head-On
Poor installation has always been one of the biggest weak points in fire door performance, and the updated standard doesn’t shy away from that.
There’s more detailed guidance now around:
• Tolerances and fitting
• Sealing between frame and structure
• Use of materials like mineral wool, foams, and mastics
• Fire-stopping interfaces
The aim is simple: fewer grey areas, fewer mistakes.
Finally Addressing NonTimber Doors Properly
Previous guidance has often been criticised for not going far enough on metal and composite doors.
That gap has now been addressed with:
• A clearer code of practice for non-timber doors
• Material specific annexes covering design, installation, and maintenance
It’s a long overdue move that brings consistency across different door types.
The Gardeners Arms Pub fire exit entrance, Manchester
What This Means in Practice
It affects pretty much everyone involved:
• Manufacturers will need stronger evidence and better alignment with system requirements
• Installers face higher expectations around competence and documentation
• Specifiers and architects must think in terms of complete systems, not individual products
• Building owners and dutyholders carry clearer responsibility for performance in use Picture shown above: Fire escape door with air duct building ventilation
The message is straightforward: compliance isn’t just about meeting a standard on paper, it’s about making sure fire doors actually perform, consistently, throughout the life of a building.
We ask The Panel:
• Is this a Defining Shift for the Fire Door Industry?
• What does the updated British Standards mean to you and your customers?
The Panel comments...
“BS 8214:2026 represents a major shift in UK fire-door guidance, expanding its scope far beyond the timber-focused 2016 edition. The new standard now fully covers all fire door types and materials, including aluminium, steel, glazed metal and composites—marking the first time metal systems receive structured, material-specific guidance.
“The revision also moves from prescriptive construction details to a new evidence-based approach, requiring fire-resisting door systems to be supported by clear test evidence, assessments and documentation rather than fixed construction rules. This gives manufacturers more flexibility but places greater emphasis on traceability and proof of performance.
“The standard also introduces a system-based perspective, treating the fire door as a complete, coordinated assembly—including leaf, frame, hardware, seals, glazing and installation—rather than a standalone product made of individually tested, fire rated components.
“Smoke-control guidance has been extensively updated, with clearer advice on seals, threshold solutions and frame-to-wall interface sealing, while outdated prescriptive details have been removed.
“Finally, BS 8214:2026 realigns the standard with the UK’s current regulatory landscape, including post-Brexit UKCA/CE requirements and new duties arising from the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act.
“Yes, it is a defining shift, but not because of materials or scope. Those are important, but they are not the real story.
“The defining change is the move from assumed competence to evidenced responsibility.
“BS 8214:2026 makes it clear that fire doors are not individual products, but systems that must be specified, supplied and installed with supporting evidence. It also sets out far more clearly who is responsible at each stage. Decisions are no longer informal or based on experience alone. They must be justified, documented and traceable.
“For aluminium suppliers, the new edition brings both clarity and elevated responsibility. By explicitly recognising aluminium fire-resisting doors within the scope of the standard, BS 8214:2026 creates a level playing field with timber systems while increasing the demand for material-specific performance evidence, including fire resistance, smoke control, hardware compatibility and installation tolerances.
“Because the standard now views fire doors as integrated systems, manufacturers and installers will expect aluminium suppliers to provide comprehensive technical packages—not just component documentation. This includes verified test evidence, product calcifications, system-specific installation guidance and clearly defined scope-of-use limitations.
“Enhanced smoke-control requirements mean suppliers must demonstrate reliable sealing performance across aluminium profiles, slimmer frame geometries and glazed configurations. Updated guidance on threshold seals and interface sealing further increases the need for coordinated, evidence-led detailing.
“With clearer supply-chain responsibilities and stronger alignment with modern regulation, manufacturers and installers will rely more heavily on aluminium system suppliers for training support, documentation clarity and compliance assurance from design through installation to maintenance.”
Wojciech Brozyna Managing Director, Aluprof
“Many firms will look at this and say it is simply good practice. In truth, it is how the industry should always have been operating. It is certainly what we have pushed for at UK Fire Door Training, and how we have trained our delegates to think and act.
“For those already working to that standard, this will feel like an evolution and, in many cases, a validation. For others, particularly where corners have been cut or decisions have been made without evidence, it is a clear exposure.
“In practical terms, the shift is in responsibility. Specifiers must ensure what they ask for is supported by evidence.
Manufacturers must demonstrate that evidence exists. Installers cannot make on-site changes without effectively taking on design responsibility. Duty holders must be able to show that what is in their building is correct and defensible.
“For our customers, the question has changed. It is no longer whether something looks right or has always been done that way. It is whether it can be proven, with evidence, to stand up to scrutiny. That is the direction of travel, and this standard makes it explicit.”
Jonny Millard Managing Director, UK Fire Door Training
“My view is that the update in BS8214 is very welcome and shifts the emphasis from common practices to evidence based performance.
“The defining requirement for a fire door in practice (as any door) is the way in which the components work together as a system and the new version reflects this. It is not so much of a change for the composite fire doors industry, as we have always utilised a system type approach, although I do feel it is now far better understood even in our industry than was the case 5-6 years ago.
“The evidence-based approach means that far more emphasis is now placed on the specification of the overall system and the coming move to EN testing requirements and classification will further make this the only way for fire doors to be specified and supplied. In practice, somebody is responsible for the overall performance of the system (possibly unknowingly), and so whoever is putting the products together to satisfy the
need for fire resistance needs to be sure of the system requirements. The easiest way to do this is to specify doorsets, where a single entity is responsible for the product specification and the evidence required to prove compliance.
“A well proven fire door system, supplied as a doorset, can still be inadequately installed and maintained but at least we can be sure that the components supplied have been tested and proven to work together under test.
“More and more anyone installing a fire door will need to be able to make reference to clear manufacturers guidance on how the doors is to be installed often through third party certification schemes. The role of third party certification in providing confidence that the provided guidance to installers and specifiers is in line with the test evidence is crucial.”
Owen Jones Technical Director, Distinction Doors
Simplify fitting and reduce installation time with Accufit self-adhesive installation templates.
Supplied with Briton
Digital Inspection Records: Bringing control to Fire door compliance
Contactless Check Solutions (CCS) is the longest-established digital fire door data platform in the UK. Supporting over eight million fire door inspections, CCS provides operational insight for organisations managing fire door compliance across complex estates.
Fire door inspections generate large volumes of safetycritical information. The challenge is not collecting data, but ensuring records remain accurate, consistent and easily accessible at individual fire door level.
The Building Safety Act 2022 has increased scrutiny of fire safety record-keeping. Responsible Persons must demonstrate that inspection evidence is complete, traceable and capable of review. In practice, meeting these expectations can be difficult. Access to properties is not always guaranteed, resulting in missed inspections or delayed remedial works. When visits cannot be completed, outcomes must still be recorded to demonstrate due diligence.
Inspection records often remain fragmented across paper forms, spreadsheets and email chains, limiting oversight and increasing governance risk.
CCS addresses this by centralising inspection data, compliance documentation and remedial history within a secure digital platform, creating verified and complete lifecycle history documentation for each individual fire door.
Each door can be identified using an RFID tag, including retrofitted tags for existing assets. The door
is permanently linked to its digital record, enabling cradle-to-grave traceability from manufacture, installation through inspection and remedial work.
Inspection records are time-stamped and geo-tagged, creating a defensible audit trail and supporting Golden Thread compliance.
CCS is a well-established business, developed by professionals with direct experience across fire door manufacturing, installation and inspection, ensuring the platform reflects operational fire door management.
Partner with CCS and join one of the UK’s largest fire door data banks, supporting safety oversight across housing, healthcare and education estates nationwide.
As regulatory scrutiny increases, robust fire door record-keeping is essential. CCS supports verified fire door compliance.
All information within this article, supplied by CCS (Contactless Check Solutions).
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Sue Corrick of Allegion UK discusses a dangerous inconsistency in fire door safety and how Allegion’s team of experts are supporting professionals by closing knowledge gaps.
Whether it’s boiling the kettle, charging your phone or changing a lightbulb, it’s second nature to be cautious when handling a potentially dangerous object. We learn these habits early and it helps foster a culture where the risk of common appliances, technologies and commodities are routinely recognised. However, there’s another everyday item that often gets overlooked and doesn’t receive the same level of attention: fire doors.
Fire doors and their hardware are purpose built to prevent the spread of smoke and fire in an emergency and are a key element of any building’s passive fire protection system. Though, despite their crucial role in safeguarding lives, and the fact they are used just as frequently as many of the other everyday objects in our built environment, fire doors are all too often neglected, misused and poorly maintained.
Where individuals are likely to study the safety features of their personal products and how to correctly use them, why do the fire doors found around our homes, workplaces and areas of leisure fail to receive the same level of scrutiny? The experts at Allegion UK believe this inconsistency highlights a deeper issue within fire safety practice, one that the industry must actively address.
A call for action
Safety measures are an integral part of our lives. As observant people, we review the condition of our charger wires, blow out candles and matches when we’re finished with them and we closely check product reviews for the appliances we buy, all to reduce the chance of faults and fire and the danger it presents to the buildings we reside in. And when a product doesn’t perform as it should, we act.
It would appear then that we live in a culture obsessed with functionality and safety, yet there
is a worrying knowledge gap when it comes to the world of fire door safety. Fire doors are meticulously designed to serve as life-saving barriers and form the cornerstone of fire safety across our built
Sue Corrick
Fire Door
“Conversely, an ineffective fire door system can fail within minutes, and an open one is considered useless in a fire.”
environment, yet, despite being used millions of times every day, they are often among the most commonly neglected and compromised safety systems in buildings.
When closed, a certified fire door will typically compartmentalise a space for 30 to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of smoke and fire and providing occupants with a critical opportunity to escape. Conversely, an ineffective fire door system can fail within minutes, and an open one is considered useless in a fire. During the closing action, a fire door relies on its many hardware components, calling upon hinges, locks, latches and door closing devices to secure it firmly in place. In a fire situation, not one of these components can fail and as such, doorsets are rigorously tested to ensure they meet necessary standards, conforming to UKCA and CE certifications and FD ratings.
What does compliance look like?
We’re not simply talking about a safety feature then; fire doors are a legal requirement in all non-domestic premises and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). However, individuals are less inclined to check whether they meet the right condition or standards once installed. Perhaps it’s a case of visibility, where a broken or exposed wire screams danger, a fire door simply blends into its surroundings until it is needed.
Regardless, where building owners and designated responsible persons bear the legal responsibility for fire door compliance, everyone has a role to play in ensuring fire door safety. Day-to-day, a fire door should function like any other door, but its behaviour in a fire situation is what separates it from the rest. A compliant fire door is tested, certified and labelled as a complete doorset and is designed to work in tandem with its fire-rated hardware components to:
• Close fully and securely from any angle, without sticking or slamming
• Latch into place, with the door remaining closed during a fire emergency
• Maintain integrity under extreme conditions, ensuring intumescent seals expand to close the gap between the door and its frame, restricting smoke and flames from spreading Fire door hardware is not interchangeable. In fact, using incompatible components can invalidate a fire door’s performance completely. As such, it is critical to remove any ambiguity surrounding fire door hardware, ensuring all components are specified appropriately, installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and maintained routinely. With that said, questions remain over accountability and competence, with many unsure on the responsibilities associated with keeping fire door systems operational.
Fire Door Safety
Routine responsibilities can save lives
In many cases, improved awareness and communication towards fire door safety can help mitigate risk. As people continue to dissect the safety of other everyday items, a greater understanding is needed concerning fire door use and compliance. With that, we must ask what more can be done to ensure fire doors and their hardware receive the same level of attention and care as other everyday belongings.
The first step is about fostering and filling knowledge gaps. Just because a fire door is visually present doesn’t mean it will work, especially if it has been neglected, misused or it’s fitted with hardware lacking the correct certification – a fire door certified for domestic use may not be suitable in a high-traffic commercial setting, for example. The industry must look to bridge the gap by providing resources and support tools whilst reminding people that fire safety is a shared responsibility.
Where the use of uncertified hardware can compromise the effectiveness of a fire door, it’s also important to recognise that a building’s fire doors will not perform as intended unless essential hardware has been correctly specified, installed and maintained. Routine maintenance checks are crucial, and responsible persons are urged to assess the certification, gaps, seals, hinges and closing elements on fire doors on a quarterly basis, ensuring they are maintained in an efficient state and in good working order.
In any circumstance, a building’s occupants should be encouraged to report damage and propped open fire doors. In higher risk buildings, where many rely on shared fire safety systems, it’s vital that people feel comfortable to communicate concerns and, more importantly, know who they can turn to when a fire situation arises. Just as we wouldn’t ignore the smell of gas or exposed electrical wires on show, you shouldn’t ignore a faulty or improperly used fire door.
With this in mind, basic routine fire door safety practices can include:
• Keeping fire doors closed
• Locating fire door signage and recognising emergency escape routes
• Checking hardware and intumescent/smoke seals are in good working order
• Reporting damage on fire doors and their hardware
Whether we recognise it or not, fire door safety is embedded into the way we live, work and play and it is wrong to overlook fire doors until we need them in an emergency. Instead, we must strive to create a culture, one that is centred around greater awareness, shared responsibility and competent action. Simply put, it’s time to give fire doors and their hardware the same attention as the items that entertain and convenience us.
“Allegion is inviting visitors to stand 4/ E90, where they can explore the full range of certified fire door solutions and speak with an expert team possessing decades of experience for trusted advice on fire door safety.”
Allegion UK at The Fire Safety Event 2026
Allegion UK will return to the prestigious Fire Safety Event this year, bringing together a team of experts committed to pioneering safety through its trusted family of brands, including Briton, Boss Door Controls and UAP. With a focus on keeping people safe and secure where they live, learn, work and connect, Allegion will present a complete fire door solution, serving both residential and commercial customers with a comprehensive portfolio of security, hardware and door control products – tailored to meet everything from everyday convenience to complex project requirements.
To demonstrate the crucial role that high-quality, precision-engineered solutions play in protecting people and property, Allegion is inviting visitors to stand 4/E90, where they can explore the full range of certified fire door solutions and speak with an expert team possessing decades of experience for trusted advice on fire door safety. Visitors can also upskill and broaden their knowledge by visiting FDM (Fire Door Maintenance) - a training and development specialist, and part of the Allegion team - on stand 4/F20 to learn more about accredited practical fire door training courses offered to facilities managers, maintenance teams, firesafety officers, contractors and other fire safety professionals.
How Allegion UK is Supporting Better Practice
Allegion UK works closely with reputable bodies such as the GAI, BWF-FDA and DHF and as a conscious member of the supply chain is committed to supporting customers throughout product specification and the necessary installation and maintenance procedures thereafter.
Allegion has a wealth of customer support resources, including its newly downloadable ‘Fire Door Hardware Maintenance and Installation Logbook’ which has
been designed to address common issues in these areas whilst offering accessible installation guidance and comprehensive maintenance walkthroughs for each of the critical elements of fire door hardware.
Allegion continues to redefine fire door hardware installation support, expanding its step-bystep installation video library and introducing its resourceful Accufit System to a wider range of Briton products, each designed to help installers fit hardware quickly and
accurately the first-time round. Allegion UK is at the forefront of guidance, fire door hardware solutions and services that help buildings stay safe and compliant.
Competence and Compliance Strengthens the Industry
Nicola John, Managing Director of FDM Training & Development,
explains why fire door inspection schemes should remain independent and why quality training sits at the heart of building safety.
Fire door inspection schemes are becoming more common as the industry responds to tighter regulations and growing scrutiny. It can be tempting to think that joining a scheme is the only way to demonstrate competence and ensure safety, but the reality is more nuanced.
The most effective schemes accept recognised training from any provider. They look at competence as a whole, reviewing evidence of learning, practical experience, and ongoing development. This approach allows schemes to remain independent and objective, providing reassurance to building owners and occupiers that inspections are carried out by capable, impartial professionals.
Why schemes should not deliver their own training
Some schemes on the market only recognise qualifications they have delivered themselves. That creates an inherent conflict. If a scheme trains individuals and then certifies them, it is essentially checking its own work. In my view, this undermines credibility and risks creating a closed loop where innovation and real-world experience are sidelined.
FDM has always taken a different approach. We focus on specialist, high-quality training and development. Our courses and qualifications are designed to equip
the fire door supply chain with practical competence that can be applied immediately on-site. We do not, and will not, start a third-party scheme because doing so would compromise independence. Training and auditing are two distinct roles and keeping them separate is essential if schemes are to be trusted.
Training should be recognised, not replaced
The benefit of schemes that accept external qualifications is clear. Professionals can progress through FDM courses, gain recognised certification, and then have their competence verified by the scheme without duplication or unnecessary barriers. This model encourages freedom of choice, allowing individuals to select the training that best meets their needs and the standards of the industry while still participating in recognised schemes.
Schemes should act like verifiers rather than trainers, checking, auditing, and validating competence without delivering the courses themselves. Training providers lead in curriculum design, practical assessment, and continuous development. That expertise forms the benchmark against which schemes can measure competence, ensuring audits and checks are meaningful rather than procedural.
Competence, not Compliance Alone
No single scheme, course, or certificate is a silver bullet. The fire door landscape is evolving, and professionals need both robust training and independent validation to keep buildings safe. A scheme that only accepts its own trainees narrows the pool of talent and risks excluding those
with high-quality experience or alternative qualifications. Schemes must remain flexible and recognise competence wherever it is developed.
Compliance alone is not enough. True safety depends on people being capable and confident in their roles. That capability comes from structured, practical training, reinforced by experience, and validated by independent inspection. Schemes that attempt to combine training delivery with auditing risk blurring these lines, which can reduce transparency and confidence.
Keeping roles separate strengthens the industry
Training providers continue to lead in education and assessment while schemes act as impartial verifiers of competence. This separation protects the integrity of the profession and ensures that fire door inspections are carried out consistently and reliably. FDM’s qualifications provide a trusted benchmark, but it is the schemes that confirm these standards are applied in practice.
Independent schemes are essential to maintaining trust and credibility. High-quality, specialist training is essential to building competence. Keeping these roles distinct allows the industry to deliver safe, compliant, and reliable fire door inspections that professionals and building owners can trust.
Nicola John
Sustainable Timber Fire Doors: Why Material Choice Matters
Across social housing, education estates and local authority buildings, sustainability now sits alongside compliance, performance and cost in fire door specification. The material within the doorset, specifically its core, influences both environmental impact and long-term performance. It shapes how the door performs in everyday use and in the event of a fire.
Timber fire doorsets offer clear sustainability benefits. Timber is renewable and stores biogenic carbon throughout its working life. West Port holds FSC® (FSC® C017295) and PEFC (COC-853909) chain-of-custody certification, providing traceability of timber sourcing and supporting responsible public sector procurement.
For Responsible Persons managing large housing estates, repeated fire door replacement creates cost, disruption and unnecessary embodied carbon. It also
increases inspection pressure and administrative burden.
West Port manufactures FD30 and FD60 timber fire doorsets in the UK within ISO-accredited quality management systems. Factory finishing and precision CNC machining remove the need for site alterations, helping ensure the installed doorset matches the fire-tested specification and remains consistent across multiplot developments. Third-party assurance, including Secured by Design and BlueSky accreditation, provides independent verification
of performance, security and environmental standards.
Designed to support long-term asset management, the West Port doorsets allow hardware, glazing and seals to be replaced in situ. They are also designed to accommodate routine inspection and maintenance. This extends service life and reduces unnecessary material waste. Each doorset is RFID tagged at manufacture to support Golden Thread traceability, maintaining a clear digital record of specification, inspection and maintenance history.
When replacement is eventually required, timber can be responsibly processed and recycled, supporting circular economy principles embedded within public sector procurement frameworks.
Sustainable fire door specification starts with the core. It demands material integrity, disciplined manufacture and clear traceability. These principles underpin West Port’s timber fire door production.
Tel: 01900 814 225
Email: sales@west-port.co.uk www.west-port.co.uk
All information within this article, supplied by West Port.
Fire Door Management
Crossstakeholder collaboration is vital in fire door management
It does not matter if a new door is being supplied and fitted, then entering a suitable system of maintenance or competing stock condition, completing repairs and then instigating the life cycle of inspection and repairs, in each case there will be a requirement for appointing persons and organisations across various trades.
The problem with this multi-trade requirement is that all the data needs to be accessed to enable each trade to complete their individual tasks.
To
explain this in simple terms…
1 A door installers needs to access installation instructions from the door manufacturer.
2 The door inspector will need to understand what they are inspecting, may need to see a doors fire certification.
3 A repair engineer will need to understand what parts are being replaced or what can be used during the repair process.
Therefore data must be easily accessible and crucial in maintaining a door to an acceptable standard. Too many times we see lack of information being issued by door manufacturers, who have a duty to provide the correct information in an easy to use format (digital).
Those using Door Data Systems are placing their technical data on the ‘National Fire Door Register’ making sure your contractors can access and then record their works fully, this ensures that those of Responsibility can fully manage their assets and evidence their works and a suitable ‘Systems of Maintenance’.
Door Data Systems eliminates the risk of lost data!
Unlike contractor software that holds data with the contractor providing access to those of Responsibility (RP), Door Data Systems places each and every doors credentials and its history directly in the hands of the Facility management company (Responsible Person, RP).
This enables the Responsible Persons to take control, after all the data belongs to the door and the door is under a system of maintenance instigated by the RP.
To find out more and for a friendly, no obligation chat, please visit us at The Fire Safety Event on 28th30th April - Stand Number: 4/G40
Saves time and costs as well as reducing risk
By moving from manual or disjointed systems to a digitally integrated approach, facilities managers can decrease administrative burden, reduce errors, provider faster response to repairs and maintenance, and improve overall fire door safety management ultimately protecting occupants and assets more effectively.
In short: Door Data Systems gives FMs a centralised, digital, real-time platform to manage fire door compliance and maintenance across a portfolio — improving accuracy, saving administrative effort, and supporting regulatory requirements throughout the full lifecycle of each door.
Emergency: A Case Study with ISG Bradford, Connect Housing, Distinction Doors, and Winkhaus
*Case Study Material, Text and Images, Provided by Distinction Doors).
Fire doors are critical life safety components, designed to slow the spread of fire, smoke, and heat long enough to protect occupants and property. A recent incident in a Connect Housing residential block provided a rare real-world demonstration of how a fully certified fire doorset performs under genuine fire conditions. The event highlighted the importance of correct specification, a compliant product, and accredited manufacturing and installation.
ISG Bradford: Social Purpose and Technical Competence
ISG Bradford, part of the Industrial Services Group, operates as both a specialist manufacturer and a social enterprise, creating skilled employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The organisation manufactures and installs windows, door systems, and highsecurity composite doors, all independently certified and compliant with UK Building Regulations.
ISG Bradford manufactures the Distinction Doors FD30 Composite Leaf with Winkhaus FireFrame 30 Minute Fire Door System (including NanYa
leaf) combination, delivering a proven, engineered fire door set, known for robust fireresistant performance. Demonstrating compliance across multiple BM Trada QMark schemes covering fire resistance, smoke
control, security, manufacturing quality, and installation competence—ensuring full traceability and confidence for specifiers.
Darren, at ISG Bradford said: “At around 19:30 a serious fire broke out in a Leeds apartment
block. Thankfully, no one was injured, and while the cause is still under investigation, an electrical fault is the likely source. Fire officers were highly complimentary about the ISG Winkhaus FireFrame system with the Distinction Doors
leaf installed in 2021. The doors performed so effectively that crews could only identify the affected flat by feeling heat through the letterbox. There was no transfer of heat or smoke through the door, its furniture, or its frame — an exceptional real-world performance that undoubtedly helped prevent the fire from spreading.”
Doorset System and Compliance
For the Connect Housing project, ISG Bradford supplied and installed complete FD30 composite fire doorsets. Each system was manufactured and fitted as a certified assembly, including:
• Installation by BM Trada QMark accredited operatives
The doorsets were certified to:
• Approved Document B (Fire Safety – Volume 1)
• BS EN 16341
• BS 476 Part 22
• BM Trada QMark Fire Door Scheme (STD 170)
• BM Trada QMark Fire Door Installation Scheme
This wholesystem approach aligns with regulatory guidance that fire doors must be specified, supplied, and installed as complete, tested assemblies.
Incident Summary: RealWorld Fire Containment
A fire broke out in an unoccupied flat within the block. When firefighters arrived, they faced an unexpected challenge: the fire doors had contained smoke and heat so effectively that identifying the affected flat was difficult. There was no visible smoke leakage, heat transfer, or distortion on the corridor side of the doorset.
Fire crews ultimately located the flat by inserting their fingers through the letterplate to detect heat—evidence of how effectively the leaf, frame, seals, and hardware maintained compartmentation.
The fire remained fully contained within the flat of origin, preventing lateral or vertical spread. Richard Ayrton, Service Manager at Connect Housing, reported that the chief fire officer praised the doorset’s performance, noting that without such containment, residents would have been at serious risk and the flat would likely have been destroyed.
Performance Beyond Minimum Standards
Although specified as FD30, postincident assessment indicated that the doorset achieved resistance times approaching 45 minutes—around 50% beyond the minimum requirement. This enhanced performance is attributed to:
• The robust composite leaf construction
• Frametoleaf compatibility
• Effective intumescent and smoke sealing
• Accredited installation practices
Such resilience provides additional protection during delayed fire service response and supports safer evacuation.
Distinction Doors: Nationwide Consistency and Assurance
Distinction Doors offer FD30 composite fire doors and an fds system that are fully compliant with Approved Document B and undergo independent bi-directional fire testing. Manufacturing is restricted to audited QMark partners working to STD 170, ensuring consistent, repeatable performance across the UK supply chain. This gives housing providers confidence that installed systems match tested specifications.
Key Outcomes and Considerations for Specifiers
The Connect Housing incident demonstrates:
• The importance of specifying complete, certified doorsets
• The critical role of third-party installation accreditation
• The value of traceable certification and documented compliance
• How correct specification directly reduces risk to life and asset loss
Conclusion
This realworld incident validates the performance of ISG Bradford’s fire doorsets and the strength of its partnership with Distinction Doors and Winkhaus. Through rigorous certification, competent installation, and a robust supply chain, the system performed exactly as intended—containing the fire, protecting residents, and preventing extensive property damage.
The case highlights how technical excellence and social purpose can combine to deliver lifesaving outcomes, offering a proven, compliant, and performance-led solution for specifiers and contractors.
Firemongery: The unsung guardian of building safety
Elliott Dawson, National Accounts Manager at UAP, explains why firemongery is more than a finishing touch. With scrutiny and regulations tightening, he argues that specification, installation and maintenance need to be treated as seriously as the doors themselves because firemongery is frontline safety.
Firemongery rarely makes the headlines. Hinges, closers, latches and seals quietly do their work while the industry debates cladding, alarms and evacuation strategy. When a fire happens, it is often these small components that determine whether a building performs as designed by buying time, containing smoke and keeping escape routes clear.
Firemongery is the link between a tested fire door and real-world use. People do not use a fire door, they use a handle, a latch or a closer. If these components are mis-specified, poorly installed or allowed to drift out of adjustment, even the strongest door cannot do its job. Failures are rarely dramatic, but they build up over time. A closer may be disconnected for convenience, a latch replaced with something smoother but incompatible, a hinge may loosen and a seal can be painted over. Each decision may seem minor, yet together they erode the door’s ability to resist fire and smoke and often only become apparent when it is too late.
Thinking about the door as a system
A fire door is more than a slab of wood or metal. Its frame, glazing, seals, signage and hardware all need to match the test evidence, but hardware is where this thinking often falls apart. Handles wear, closers are adjusted, cylinders are replaced and components are swapped. Without clear discipline, a doorset can appear correct but no longer reflect what was tested.
The challenge for 2026 and beyond is making
system integrity practical by designing out ambiguity at the specification stage, setting clear installation standards and keeping maintenance routines simple enough to actually happen without compromising safety.
Specification and installation matters
Good firemongery starts at specification. Hardware must be proven for the intended fire rating and door configuration, and equivalent appearance or cost is not enough. Specifiers need to understand the door's certification route, the evidence supporting the hardware and whether it is suited to the expected usage and maintenance requirements. The cost of specifying correctly is small compared with the expense of remediation, disruption and reputational damage when failures are discovered.
Even the right products can fail if installed poorly. Misaligned keeps, underfixed hinges, incorrect intumescent packs and missing components all affect performance in everyday use and in a fire. Competence must go beyond a certificate. Installers need to understand why every detail matters, and firemongery should be treated as a critical trade discipline that is measured, checked, signed off and auditable.properly.
Maintenance wins or loses safety
Buildings evolve, users change and doors get knocked about. Inspection and maintenance are not just admin, they are part of the fire strategy. Facilities teams need clear routines, access to the right parts and the confidence to challenge quick fixes that bypass test evidence. Firemongery should be treated like any life safety asset, monitored, documented and repaired
Recognition is overdue
Firemongery is not about ticking boxes. It ensures the fire doors we rely on every day actually work when it matters. The industry has made real progress in raising awareness of fire doors, and now it is time to raise the bar on the components that make them function. Hinges, latches, closers and seals are the unsung guardians of building safety, and they deserve recognition. With the insight and experience UAP brings to the sector, the industry has the guidance it needs to get this right, and it is time we start treating these components like they matter.
PAS 2000:2026 and the end of the “Frankenstein doorset”
The publication of PAS 2000:2026 “Bringing safe construction products to market”, marks a significant shift in how construction products are assessed, specified and justified across the UK housing sector.
While the Code of Practice applies to all construction products, its implications are particularly important for residential and multi-occupancy projects, where the need for demonstrable safety, compliance and accountability continues to intensify.
At its core, PAS 2000 moves the industry away from assumptions and fragmented evidence towards clear, verifiable proof that products are safe for their intended use. For specifiers and responsible persons, product claims can no longer be taken at face value. Instead, performance must be supported by relevant test evidence, independently verified and directly linked to the product being installed.
This is especially important for fire doorsets. These are not simply doors, but life safety systems designed to protect escape routes, contain fire and smoke, and provide occupants with time to reach safety. Yet historically, the sector has relied on a patchwork of test data, extended assessments and substituted components that do not always reflect the doorset ultimately installed.
The end of derived evidence
A key issue addressed by PAS 2000 is the reliance on derived evidence.
This is where test data from one doorset configuration is used to justify another, despite differences in materials, construction, hardware, glazing or seals. Over time, this creates a chain of assumptions that moves further away from the original tested design.
The result is what is often referred to as a “Frankenstein doorset”, a product assembled from multiple pieces of unrelated evidence, but which has never itself been tested as a complete system.
While this approach has historically been supported through technical assessments
or engineering judgement, PAS 2000 signals a clear change in direction. Manufacturers must now demonstrate that their products are safe for the intended application, supported by appropriate and relevant evidence. For doorsets, this means the evidence must relate to the actual product supplied, not a theoretical combination built from historic reports.
Fire, smoke and security: all must be proven
Another challenge for specifiers is the tendency to treat fire resistance as the sole measure
of performance. Three critical performances must be considered:
• Fire resistance, the ability to contain fire for a defined period
• Smoke control, preventing smoke spread into escape routes
• Security performance, resistance to forced entry
Each plays a vital role, particularly in residential and multi-occupancy projects.
Smoke inhalation remains the leading cause of fire related fatalities. A doorset that meets fire resistance requirements but lacks verified smoke performance may fail to protect escape routes in the early stages of a fire.
At the same time, security cannot be overlooked. Doorsets must protect residents from unauthorised entry, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. A door that performs well in fire but
Fire & Security Doorsets | Advertorial
lacks tested security performance introduces a different, but equally significant, risk.
Crucially, none of these attributes should be assumed. They must be demonstrated through testing and verified by independent third parties.
Asking the right questions
PAS 2000 places strong emphasis on accurate product information and verifiable evidence, creating an opportunity for specifiers to strengthen procurement processes.
Key questions should now include:
• Has the complete doorset been tested as a system, including leaf, frame, hardware, glazing and seals?
• Is there verified smoke control performance?
• Has the doorset been tested for security performance?
• Is the evidence independently certified?
• Does the evidence relate directly to the doorset being specified?
These are not administrative hurdles. They are fundamental to ensuring that what is installed performs as expected. Choosing a fire doorset is not simply a procurement decision, but a strategic safety choice.
Implications for residential and multi-occupancy projects.
For social housing providers, the implications are significant. Organisations must demonstrate compliance with fire safety legislation while maintaining accurate records under the Golden Thread.
PAS 2000 supports this by driving clear, consistent and evidence based product information, enabling better decision making at specification stage and throughout the building lifecycle.
It also aligns with the expectations of the Building Safety Regulator. At Gateway 2, submissions must be supported by robust, traceable
and product specific evidence. PAS 2000 helps ensure that this information is verifiable and consistent across the design and supply chain, reducing the risk of delays or resubmissions.
Ultimately, PAS 2000 helps move submissions from “this should comply” to “this is proven to comply”, which is exactly what the BSR requires.
A shift towards proven performance
PAS 2000 does not introduce new test standards, but it does change how evidence is expected to be used.
The direction is clear: products must be specified based on tested, verified and traceable performance, not assumptions or inherited data.
For residential and multioccupancy projects, this represents a critical shift. By asking the right questions and demanding the right evidence, the industry can move away from theoretical compliance towards genuine, proven safety for residents.
About Winkhaus
Winkhaus is a long established manufacturer of door locking systems, window fittings and access control solutions, with a strong focus on fire doorset applications in the UK housing sector.
The company offers a broad portfolio of third party certified solutions across timber and composite fire doorsets, supported by extensive test evidence covering fire resistance, smoke control and security performance.
Through ongoing involvement in standards development and collaboration with certified manufacturing partners, Winkhaus supports specifiers and housing providers with evidence based solutions aligned to evolving regulatory expectations.
For further information, visit www.winkhaus.co.uk
Unity Doors - Proud to be showcasing at The Fire Safety Event 2026
Unity Doors is proud to be exhibiting at the Fire Safety Event for the third consecutive year. As the UK’s leading event for the fire safety industry, the FSE is usually a stand-out event attended by influential innovators in the fire safety sector. This year the bar is set to be raised even further. For 2026, over 13,500 industry professionals and more than 300 exhibitors will unite at the NECincluding leading door manufacturer, Unity Doors.
Showcasing Innovation. Demonstrating Excellence.
Once again, Unity Doors is uniting safety, style, security and service and will be revealing the very latest additions to its product line-up. There will also be some surprises in store!
Organise a meeting in advance
Because time is always precious at events such as these, Unity Doors is offering attendees the opportunity to book an appointment in advance.
Email - enquiries@unitydoors.com to find out more.
Commitment to service & innovation
Unity Doors is committed to bringing its customers more - continually investing in third-party testing to deliver premium quality across both its solid core composite fire doorsets and solid timber fire doorsets. Uniting contemporary design with uncompromising compliance, offering:
• Glazed sidelights, toplights, or flag windows – all fire-rated glass
• Bi-directional EN1634-1 fire resistance and EN1634-3 smoke control
• Complete doorsets delivered nationwide, supply from just 7 days, install service available
To find out more and to book a meeting with the commercial team, emailenquiries@unitydoors.com or call +44 1531 822585.
www.unitydoors.com
28-30th April 2026 - Stand 4/F60
The Fire Safety Event
Fire door hardware training, demos and competitions: What to expect from Allegion UK at The Fire Safety Event 2026
Allegion helps keep people safe where they live, learn, work and connect and is bringing together its family of trusted door hardware brands at The Fire Safety Event 2026, taking place between the 28th - 30th April at the NEC, Birmingham.
Allegion’s team of fire door safety experts will span two exhibition stands at this year’s Fire Safety Event, 4/E90 and 4/F20. At stand 4/E90, visitors can explore a comprehensive portfolio of precision-engineered solutions, with a series of working door displays and live demonstrations highlighting how Allegion’s security, hardware and door control products operate as part of a complete and compliant fire door assembly. Throughout the three day event, Allegion’s experts will provide practical, on-the-spot guidance and advice for its range of tested and certified hardware solutions, suitable for timber, steel and composite fire doors.
Amongst the featured products on stand 4/E90 will be the new Boss electromagnetic hold-open cam-action door closer. Designed to integrate into the alarm system of modern buildings, it provides effortless accessibility, free movement and life safety compliance. Other stand highlights include the firerated FinProtect Plus finger protection guards, used to safeguard fingers on the hanging side of doors, and the Zero International Drop Seal, an automatic drop seal mechanism that automatically lowers and raises the seal when the door is operated. In addition, Allegion will demonstrate its widely used Briton and Von Duprin panic and emergency exit hardware ranges.
Allegion is also inviting visitors to stand 4/F20, where a dedicated team will provide support on fire door safety best practice and compliance, and introduce accredited practical fire door training courses from Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) for professionals looking to upskill and develop key areas of their knowledge.
Alongside product demonstrations, Allegion is also running a competition, offering visitors the chance to win a free one-day accredited training course at its state-of-the-art FDM training centre. To enter, participants must correctly identify the faults found on an on-stand fire door display.
One winner will be drawn each day of the event and may attend their chosen course on a date of their choice.
Speaking on their presence at this year’s event, Pete Hancox, country manager at Allegion UK, commented:
“The Fire Safety Event is a celebrated occasion in the industry calendar, and we are delighted to be making a return with our growing family of brands. More than ever, we remain committed to advancing fire door safety and raising awareness on the correct specification, installation and maintenance of door hardware.
“Our team of experts possess decades of experience and combined with a complete portfolio of high quality products from industry leading brands such as Briton, Boss, Fullex, Zero International and UAP, we are well positioned to reach, educate and support visitors at this year’s event. Over the three days, we will have a valuable platform that allows us to engage with professionals through live hardware demonstrations, compliance guidance and practical training sessions designed to improve fire door safety standards.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to both our stands for what will be our largest presence at the event to date, as we showcase our fire door hardware solutions for both residential and commercial sectors.”
To find out more on Allegion UK and its fire door hardware solutions, visit stand 4/E90 or head to www.allegion.co.uk. For information on Allegion’s FDM training centre and accredited courses, visit stand 4/F20 or: www.fdmltd.co.uk
Pete Hancox
Digital Tools in Fire Safety
Fire and rescue services are being encouraged to support a new digital engagement initiative designed to promote household fire escape planning.
Developed by Sheffield-based game studio Peek and Poke, Blaze Runner is an online maze-style game that challenges users to navigate a property while avoiding a spreading fire. As part of gameplay, participants must locate key items such as a mobile phone to call emergency services and house keys to exit safely— reinforcing core fire safety behaviours linked to effective escape planning.
The initiative aims to drive public awareness and behavioural change by combining gamification with practical safety messaging. Upon completing the game, users are prompted to create a household fire escape plan using a free downloadable template, encouraging immediate action and family discussion.
To incentivise engagement, the campaign includes a structured prize offering, with a headline annual prize
alongside monthly rewards. In addition, a branded fire and rescue-themed card game is available to participants who share the initiative via social media.
Chris Tyler, Group Manager at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “This initiative demonstrates how digital tools can be used to engage a broader audience in fire safety. By embedding key escape planning principles within an interactive format, we can encourage households to consider their preparedness in a practical and accessible way.
“Understanding what actions to take in the event of a fire remains critical. We would encourage partners across the sector to promote the use of the downloadable escape plan template and support consistent safety messaging within their communities.”
“By embedding key escape planning principles within an interactive format, we can encourage households to consider their preparedness in a practical and accessible way.”
New law set to protect vulnerable people from fire
Helping vulnerable people escape from a fire is the aim of new fire safety regulations coming into force on 6 April 2026.
The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 introduce a new process called Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs). These apply to certain multi-occupied residential buildings in England and place new legal duties on Responsible Persons - usually building owners, landlords or managers.
Under the regulations, Responsible Persons will be required to use reasonable endeavours to identify residents who may have difficulty evacuating without assistance because of a physical or cognitive impairment, offer them a personcentred fire risk assessment, and - where the resident wishes - agree an emergency evacuation statement. They must also develop and maintain a building wide emergency evacuation plan.
With the resident’s explicit consent, building owners will share a small
amount of essential information with the fire and rescue service, including their flat number, floor number and a basic indication of the assistance they may need. No medical or personal information will be shared.
Amy Jenkinson, Business Fire Safety Manager at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “These changes are an important step towards making sure everyone feels safe in their own home, especially those who might need extra support in an emergency.
They give much clearer expectations for building owners and managers, and we welcome that. While the responsibility for putting these arrangements in place sits with the Responsible Person, we’re ready to receive the information they share with residents’ consent, and to use it to help us respond as effectively as possible in the event of a fire.
If any resident think they may benefit from these new arrangements, we’d encourage them to speak to their building owner or managing agent. Our role is to use the limited information we’re given to support our crews on the ground and to continue working with our partners to help keep our communities safe.”
Participation in the RPEEP process is voluntary, and residents can withdraw consent at any time. Fire and rescue services are not responsible for conducting assessments, creating evacuation statements, or deciding on mitigation measuresthese remain the responsibility of building owners and managers.
The new Regulations apply to residential buildings in England that are 18 metres or 7 storeys or higher, or over 11 metres where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place.
Fire-Rated Glazing | Advertorial
Pyroguard invests in India with new manufacturing partnership to support growing demand for fire-rated glazing
Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has established a new manufacturing partnership with South Glass in India as part of its strategic expansion to support increasing demand across India and the Middle East.
This investment reinforces Pyroguard’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and strengthens its operational presence in the region. The collaboration will enable shorter lead times and enhanced local technical and sales support, while ensuring full compliance with Indian building and fire safety standards alongside Pyroguard’s globally recognised performance benchmarks.
With a dedicated manufacturing base in India, Pyroguard will be better positioned to collaborate closely with architects, developers
and installers to deliver customised fire-rated glazing solutions for applications including doors, partitions, façades and curtain walling.
Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, commented: “India’s rapidly growing infrastructure and commercial real estate sectors, combined with tighter fire safety regulations, are driving strong demand for high-quality fire-rated glazing. Our local manufacturing presence enables closer collaboration with customers, reduced lead-times and improved support for architects working to local specifications across India and the Middle East.”
Pyroguard has supplied highperformance fire-resistant glazing to India for over a decade from its facilities in France and the UK, supporting major projects including Vivanta by Taj Dwarka, the Windsor Group IT Park in Noida and high rise developments in Hyderabad.
The new Indian manufacturing plant, based in Hyderabad, will produce fire-safety glass locally to the same global standards
of performance, quality and certification as Pyroguard’s UK and French operations, providing the market with premium firerated glass and improved project efficiencies.
Key products manufactured in India will include Pyroguard Protect (13 mm fire safety glass) and Pyroguard Firesafe E120 – both rigorously tested to relevant local standards to ensure the highest levels of performance and compliance. Pyroguard has invested in ongoing testing and certification for the market, in collaboration with partners. This comprehensive testing has validated the capability of 13 mm Pyroguard Protect to achieve both EW120 and EI30 classifications in accordance with IS standards.
Achieving this milestone reflects not only proven product performance, but also Pyroguard’s ongoing investment in regional testing, certification and strategic partnerships - demonstrating a sustained commitment to strengthening local capabilities and advancing fire safety standards across the market.
Steve Goodburn added: “Pyroguard has a well-established sales presence in India and a dedicated team based here. Local manufacturing strengthens our commitment to the market and ensures architects, developers and contractors benefit from our quality, speed and service.”
For further information about Pyroguard’s Indian operations, product specifications or case studies, please call +91 999 033 0444 or email nitin.mishra@pyroguard.eu.
For more information, please visit www.pyroguard.eu
Astroflame Fire Stop Solutions: Fire protection in building
Astroflame is a trusted supplier of highquality Built-In Fire Protection Systems and Construction Products, dedicated to safeguarding lives and property across the globe.
For more than 30 years, we’ve specialised in Passive Fire Protection an essential component in modern building design. Our products help slow the spread of fire, smoke, giving occupants vital time to escape and helping to minimise property damage.
Our Products
We provide a comprehensive range of intumescent and fire rated passive fire stopping products designed for use in walls, floors, ceilings, doors, ducts, and other fire-rated structures. Delivering protection against fire while ensuring performance in air and water permeability, acoustic insulation, and structural movement.
Our diverse range includes:
• Door Protection: Fire Seals, Letterboxes, Door Viewers, Fire Grilles and more.
• Fire Stopping Solutions: Fire Collars, Wraps, Pillows, Socket Box Protection and more.
• Safety and Lighting Protection: Downlight fire hood, Covers, Canopies and more.
• Mastic and Foams: Intumescent Acrylic, Fire Mastics, Blue 60 and more
• Door Finger Protection: PVC Finger Guards, Roller blind Guards, Glass Guards and more.
• Draught Proofing and Acoustic Products: Astrodraft, Raven, Schlegel and more.
and construction
projects
As market leaders, we stay ahead with continuous innovation bringing you the latest fire safety developments and tailor-made solutions to meet your construction project’s needs.
Astroflame’s products carry UKCA and CE markings, with European Technical Approvals supported by Certifire and UL-EU accreditations. All testing meets rigorous British (BS) and European (EN) Standards at approved facilities, including Warrington Fire, IFC and UL laboratories.
Product testing and certification remain at the heart of our development process, ensuring our customers receive the most reliable and compliant fire protection solutions available. Explore our continually updated product range at www.astroflame.com
For all enquiries, trade accounts or assistance, please contact us at sales@astroflame.com or call our team on 01329 844500
Scan to view the full range of products
Intumescent Passive Fire Protection Products
Passive Fire Protection Products For Fire Doors
Lighting Protection Products & More
The evolving role of fire doors
Growing awareness of security risks and building safety has increased the demand for doors that can offer both protection against attack, plus compliance with fire safety regulations.
Why is steel suitable for fire doors?
Rob Mottram, Head of Product and Compliance at steel door manufacturer, Robust UK, shares his opinion on how fire doors can meet modern security needs, while still maintaining certified fire performance
“Steel has become the preferred material for fire doors due to its exceptional strength, durability and resilience. Unlike other alternatives, steel maintains its structural integrity even under extreme heat, making it a popular choice for fire doors. During a fire, steel fire-rated doors are designed to resist warping, cracking and structural failure, allowing them to act as an effective barrier that slows the spread of flames, smoke and hot gas.
In addition to their fire-resistant properties, steel fire doors provide superior impact resistance and long-term durability. Their robust construction allows them to withstand heavy use in high-traffic environments such as commercial buildings, hospitals and schools. Unlike timber doors, which can weaken at joints or degrade over time and may require regular repainting, treatment and refinishing, steel is less susceptible to wear, moisture damage and deformation, maintaining both performance and safety over time.
Made from Magnelis® steel, our doorsets require minimal maintenance and do not compromise on appearance, allowing customers to also meet brand aesthetics and architectural design specifications. The anti-corrosion warranty of up to ten years provides additional reassurance that the door will not degrade prematurely and remain in excellent condition for the long term. As a result, steel fire doors offer a dependable combination of fire protection and security, making them a practical choice for meeting today’s building safety requirements.
Steel doorsets can be tested to EN 1634-1 and certified for up to 240 minutes of fire resistance, helping to maintain safe evacuation routes and effective compartmentation within a building. These tests measure a door’s ability to maintain integrity over a period of time. Where both fire resistance and enhanced security are required, selected steel doorsets can meet both requirements within a single fully tested solution.
Yet, these requirements cannot be achieved by simply combining individual fire-rated and security-
OUTA-DOR THERM offers up to 60 minutes’ fire resistance while delivering a thermal performance of 1.5 W/m²K.
Delivering more than compliance
Choosing steel fire doors can offer more than just meeting Building Regulations.
By selecting fully tested doorsets that combine fire resistance, high security, durability and the appropriate hardware, fire doors can enhance both safety and long-term building performance.”
rated components. A doorset must be tested, assessed and certified as a complete system to ensure both fire and security performance are maintained, as a weakness in either can compromise the overall integrity of the door.
There is a range of fire-rated steel doorsets available to suit different application needs.
For example, our market-leading steel fire exit solution, OUTA-DOR, provides up to four hours fire resistance, delivering maximum fire protection and ensuring safe escape routes during emergencies.
OUTA-DOR THERM offers up to 60 minutes’ fire resistance while delivering a thermal performance of 1.5 W/m²K. This combination makes it well-suited for external applications where both certified fire protection and enhanced insulation performance are required.
For more information on fire-rated steel door solutions, third-party tested to achieve up to 240 minutes fire resistance, visit: www.robust-uk.com/product-category/fire-doors/
Combining fire resistance with security performance
Supply chains starting to make positive change, says Fire Aware
Supply chains are increasingly taking their duty of care for public safety seriously in the interests of protecting people across multiple sectors, according to growing fire safety body Fire Aware.
The fire safety organisation is seeing a behavioural change as a wide range of companies large and small start to adopt rigorous processes to ensure safety of those using buildings and spaces around towns and cities.
Fire Aware CEO Gavin Skelly said: “As we move about to talk to those
companies and groups with products and services in fire safety, we are seeing a step change in their attitude to fire safety. Even in those companies who don’t necessarily have a fire safety competence requirement but still hold a duty of care.
“They want to commit to doing the right thing and make sure their part in the fire safety supply chain is fit for purpose. They recognise that this is more than a job, fire safety is a vocation.”
“Many are joining us as members because they want to sign up to our code of conduct which binds us all together. Their membership is a sign of intent to protect people through a combination of competence and behavioral performance.
After all, it is people’s lives we are talking about.”
Skelly said all of those involved in the design, construction, management, maintenance and letting of the built environment needs to understand that they have an obligation to fire safety even if their business is not directly connected with fire specialisms.
Dame Judith Hackitt – who led the Grenfell Inquiry – has called for cultural change through moral and ethical behaviours, recently supported by the new independent Building Safety Regulator (BSR) which has been created to “promote competence and higher standards.”
Sectors which are particularly vulnerable to fire risk include the
“Many are joining us as members because they want to sign up to our code of conduct which binds us all together. Their membership is a sign of intent to protect people through a combination of competence and behavioral performance.”
hospitality sector –with the many bars, restaurants and hotels which are trusted to protect their customers - and healthcare which has to protect many vulnerable and elderly people including those who cannot look after themselves in the event of a real fire.
Fire Aware continues to focus on the moral responsibility of all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.
It aims to change the culture of the built environment sector by introducing a moral code of conduct via a series of charters designed to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care.
The Guardsman Fire Door
A standout solution in fire door safety
• UKAS Accredited:
BS EN 1634-1 – internal and external use.
• Exceeds FD30: Average 52 mins, up to 70+ mins fire resistance.
• Building Safety Act Ready: Traceable, verifiable performance.
• Agrifiber Core: Renewable, stable and consistent.
FPA launch fire risk assessment qualifications aligned to BS 8674
The Fire Protection Association (FPA) has partnered with FireQual to deliver a new suite of fire risk assessment qualifications that are fully aligned with BS 8674:2025, the recently published British Standard that sets out the framework for the assessment of fire risk assessor competency.
These new qualifications introduce enhanced focus on the core competencies detailed within BS 8674. The FPA’s training will equip learners with a means to interpret fire safety plans and fire risk assessment action plans.
As of January 2026, the FPA offers the following full suite of FireQual-accredited qualifications designed to meet the competency levels set out in BS 8674:2025:
• Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Fire Risk Assessment
• Level 4 Certificate in Intermediate Fire Risk Assessment
• Level 5 Certificate in Advanced Fire Risk Assessment
It will also enable an assessment to be made that ensures additional specialist advice can be sought, for example, for securing the right technical knowledge to assess external walls by adopting the guidance contained within PAS 9980. Finally, the new qualifications will enable learners to evaluate the suitability of fire safety features within buildings, ensuring their awareness of the latest best practice techniques and required technical expertise to deliver fire risk assessments.
Specialist Awarding Organisation for the fire sector, FireQual, provides nationally recognised Ofqual- and SQA-regulated qualifications that set the knowledge and skills benchmarks for specialist fire and life safety disciplines. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the new qualifications reflect current industry needs and support fire risk assessors in demonstrating the competencies required at foundation, intermediate, and advanced levels.
“By aligning with BS 8674:2025, we are equipping fire risk assessors with the latest best practice and technical expertise, enabling them to further demonstrate competency to Duty Holders and Responsible Persons.”
Webinar: Understanding the framework for fire risk assessor competency
In November 2025 the FPA delivered a webinar in which its Chief Executive, Dr Gavin Dunn and Deputy Head of Training, Luke Ventura provided an overview of BS 8674:2025, and how the FPA’s new qualifications are designed to meet the competency levels set out within it. Those interested in learning more about the FPA’s new suite of fire risk assessment training courses and the competency framework are invited to watch this freely available webinar on demand.
Mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors
With the Government in England having confirmed that mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors will be introduced and independently verified by UKASaccreditation certification bodies, the FPA’s new suite of qualifications will provide fire risk assessors with a clear route to third party certification through alignment with existing UKAS-accredited schemes.
“We are delighted to announce our suite of new FireQual-accredited fire risk assessment qualifications,” said Luke Ventura, Deputy Head of Training at the FPA. “By aligning with BS 8674:2025, we are equipping fire risk assessors with the latest best practice and technical expertise, enabling them to further demonstrate competency to Duty Holders and Responsible Persons.
“We are in the process of creating a bridging course for existing learners, helping them close knowledge gaps, gain the equivalent FireQual qualification, and progress to the higher-level qualifications offered by the FPA.”
Safety is now a duty of care across multiple sectors, says Fire Aware
The cultural change needed to bring about a shift in fire safety starts with a recognition of a duty of care by all of those responsible across multiple sectors, says growing fire safety body Fire Aware.
Everyone involved in the design, construction, maintenance and letting of the built environment needs to understand that they have an obligation to fire safety even if their business is not directly connected with fire specialisms, says the expanding fire safety organisation.
Dame Judith Hackitt – who led the Grenfell Inquiry – has called for cultural change through moral and ethical behaviours, recently
supported by the new independent Building Safety Regulator which has been created to “promote competence and higher standards.”
Fire Aware CEO Gavin Skelly said: “We have many members who are not directly connected to fire safety but still accept they have a duty of care for public safety. People can get hurt through a fire incident even if it is by the actions of people way outside of the fire specialisms.
“Committing to the moral and ethical values of being fire safe is more than a job. It’s a way of life and a vocation. Our members are all of the same mind and we are moving towards raising the bar of standards, competence and commitment to fire safety of the public. Ultimately, we are talking about protecting people.”
Sectors which are particularly vulnerable to fire risk include the hospitality sector – with the many bars, restaurants and hotels
which are trusted to protect their customers - and healthcare which has to protect many vulnerable and elderly people including those who cannot look after themselves in the event of a real fire.
Fire Aware continues to focus on the moral responsibility of all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.
It aims to change the culture of the built environment sector by introducing a moral code of conduct via a series of charters designed to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care.
Fire Aware is a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a common aim to work and trade responsibly to all best practice standards in the interests of the safety of the general public.
ADSA leads industry-wide initiative to ensure safe automation of fire-rated doors
The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has launched a collaborative industry initiative to address a growing technical challenge: how to safely automate existing fire-rated doors without compromising their fire performance.
Automation is increasingly used across healthcare, education, transport and commercial buildings to improve accessibility, manage footfall and support safer movement. However, retrofitting automation to manual fire doors is not always a simple upgrade. Modifications such as installing operators, routing cables or replacing closing devices can alter the
door’s construction and potentially affect its integrity as a fireresisting system.
In response, ADSA has brought together a cross-industry steering group including leading manufacturers: record UK, dormakaba and GEZE UK, alongside the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, the British Woodworking Federation and a leading fire test house.
Controlled testing will be carried out to replicate common retrofit scenarios - initially focusing on timber fire doors. The aim is to understand how typical modifications, such as drilling for cabling or changing hardware, influence fire performance and to build a robust evidence base for the industry.
Darren Hyde, Technical and Training Manager at ADSA, said: “Many of the questions we receive now relate to automating existing fire doors. When
you retrofit automation, you’re potentially changing the construction of the door. What we want to do as an industry is understand exactly how those modifications affect fire performance.”
While new-build projects benefit from tested, fully specified door systems, retrofit environments are far less predictable.
“In new-build, manufacturers can provide clear test evidence for complete systems,” Darren added.
“In retrofit situations, that level of certainty doesn’t always exist. We want to close that gap in understanding.”
Findings from the programme will inform new guidance for engineers, specifiers and building owners, expected later this year. Rather than prescribing a single solution, the guidance will help professionals assess the impact of common modifications and apply
practical measuressuch as appropriate cable routing, fire-stopping and installation methods - to maintain door integrity. The initiative also reinforces the need to consider accessibility and fire safety together. While automation delivers clear benefits, it must be implemented with a full understanding of its impact. At the same time, ADSA recognises that full door replacement is not always necessary; with the right technical approach, many existing fire doors can be adapted safely and responsibly.
By bringing together industry expertise, testing and practical guidance, ADSA and its partners aim to close the knowledge gap around retrofit automation and support safer, more informed decisionmaking across the built environment.
For more information about ADSA visit: www.adsa.org.uk
Fire Aware supporting the BSR for cultural change
Growing fire safety organisation Fire Aware is supporting the work of the Building Safety Regulator as part of its campaign for cultural change across the fire safety industry.
In January, the BSR became a formal standalone arm’s length body operating under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, transitioning from the Health and Safety Executive with a renewed commitment to safety.
Now Fire Aware - which is advising member organisations across multiple sectors - is expressing its support for the BSR and its ambitions to raise standards and levels of competence across the fire safety industry.
Fire Aware CEO Gavin Skelly said: “We fully endorse the move towards cultural change. We must remember –those who hold a duty of care at all levels are working in a vocation, and not just a job. We are working with our members to improve the standards of our buildings old and new and to improve the competence of those working within them who hold a duty of care.
“The essence of the BSR’s aims are aligned with our own. Historically there have been delays in the Gateway process, but as the BSR has upped its game in respect
to response times and general communication, it is now up to those submitting safety cases to fully understand the requirements of the process and provide the regulator with the specific information it needs to carry out a successful review of an application.
“Fire Aware would support this requirement and direct any of its members involved in the Gateway system to help the regulator achieve its goal, similar to that of Fire Aware’s mission, to primarily uphold public safety.”
All parts of the supply chain across multiple sectors should work with the same vocational approach, not just those who are qualified to do so, he added.
The expanding industry body is leading the way by focusing on the moral responsibility of all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.
It aims to change the culture of the built environment sector by introducing a moral code of conduct via a series of charters designed to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care.
Fire Aware is a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a common aim to work and trade responsibly to all best practice standards in the interests of the safety of the general public.
ALUK offers single source solution for fire rated products
Aluminium systems company AluK has added fire rated window and door products to its range – providing a simple, single source solution for specifiers, fabricators and installers working on projects with specific requirements for fire protection.
AluK has formed a strategic partnership with Aluflam, one of Europe’s leading specialists in proven fire protection systems, to offer ready-made aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling systems to customers in the UK, which are independently fire-tested and compliant and available on short lead times.
Russell Yates, Managing Director of AluK believes the move represents a major step forward for AluK in the commercial sector. He said:
“Specifiers can now get comprehensive quotes and designs from us that include both fire rated and standard aluminium windows side by side, rather than having to work with two or more different suppliers. And commercial fabricators working with fire rated
systems no longer have the headache of having to process fire rated products through their own factories – they can simply order ready-made, fully compliant products via AluK when they need them, and even have them delivered direct to site if required.”
Martin Grove, Managing Director of Aluflam UK added: “Our partnership with AluK represents an exciting opportunity to combine Aluflam’s longestablished firerated expertise with AluK’s strong commercial presence in the UK façade market. We see this collaboration as a powerful step in supporting AluK’s ambitions on largescale commercial tenders
where firerated performance is essential. Alongside this, Aluflam UK will continue to support our wider network of UK customers and partners, ensuring the market benefits from the full strength of our global capability and dedicated UK operation.”
AluK’s move is all about simplifying and speeding up the procurement process without compromising on performance, choice or aesthetics. There are now three core Aluflam product ranges in AluK’s fire rated offering, which suit the vast majority of applications in the UK. These all have full independent test data available to demonstrate performance and
compliance, and all come with comprehensive design support and coordinated technical assistance from AluK and the Aluflam Group teams in Europe.
Russell Yates added: “Our commercial sales team will coordinate the supply of the firerated products to UK customers, supported by the specialists at Aluflam UK. Lead times are likely to be just 10 to 12 weeks at prices which we know are competitive. That’s particularly important for those fabricators and installers who are working in this area because it simplifies their logistics, and opens up opportunities for them to win additional new business.”
Regulation Reforms
DHF publishes new guidance to help members prepare for major 2026 construction regulation reforms
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has launched a new guidance document designed to help members understand and prepare for the significant construction regulation reforms expected in 2026.
Created in response to UK Government proposed legislative changes following the Grenfell Inquiry, the guidance explains what the new regulatory landscape may look like and how businesses across the door, hardware, and wider construction sector can take practical steps to prepare. The document aims to simplify complicated regulatory developments and provide members with a clear direction on how to strengthen compliance, improve product safety processes, and meet rising expectations around competence and accountability.
The guidance, entitled ‘Preparing for Forthcoming Changes to Regulating Construction’, outlines the key reforms that are expected to reshape the industry. These include the move towards a single construction regulator, major changes to construction product rules, and the introduction of a new General Safety Requirement that will apply to all construction products not already covered by the Construction Products Regulations. These developments signal a shift towards stronger enforcement,
“DHF members already place strong emphasis on quality and professionalism, and this document helps ensure they remain well prepared as the regulatory framework continues to evolve.”
clearer responsibilities across the supply chain, and a greater focus on evidence-based compliance.
Rather than simply outlining the changes, DHF has focused on helping members understand what actions they should take now. The document encourages businesses to review their competence and training arrangements, strengthen technical documentation and traceability, ensure that product claims are supported by clear evidence, and align with robust
certification and testing processes. It also highlights the importance of preparing for increased scrutiny across the supply chain as the regulatory environment becomes more structured and accountable.
“Construction regulation is changing at pace, and it is essential that businesses across our sector are ready for what is coming,” explains DHF’s General Manager, Michael Skelding. “This guidance has been developed to give members a clear and practical understanding of the proposed reforms so they can take action early and continue to meet the highest standards of safety and compliance. DHF members already place strong emphasis on quality and professionalism, and this document helps ensure they remain well prepared as the regulatory framework continues to evolve.”
The guidance makes clear that many DHF members are already in a strong position due to their commitment to industry standards and responsible business practices. However, it also stresses that early preparation will be important as the sector moves towards tighter regulation and greater accountability. DHF will continue to work closely with Government and industry partners to monitor developments and provide ongoing support through technical guidance, training, and updates, ensuring members remain informed and confident as the new regulations take shape.
The document is now available to download from the members’ area of the DHF website (login required): https://bit.ly/4svAdkc
PYRAN® S
For fire resistance and protection of people and property
Now available for UK manufacture
Multifunctionality in fire protection
PYRAN® S is a pre-stressed, monolithic borosilicate single pane safety glass in accordance with EN 13024-1.
As a component in fire-resistant glazing that meets the requirements of resistance classes E 30, E 60, E 90 and E 120, it has proven its outstanding optical and mechanical characteristics over the years in a wide variety of buildings.
Areas of application
PYRAN® has been internationally approved and ideally suited for:
• Facades
• Partition walls
• Skylights and rooflights
• Doors
• Roofs
• Smoke screens
• lift door glazing
• lift shaft glazing
Facts
• Higher ability to withstand temperature differentials: In comparison to soda-lime glass, tempered borosilicate glass can better withstand temperature differentials and can therefore be glazed with normal edge covers (20±2 mm).
• Higher softening temperature: Because the glass is selfsupporting for more than 30 minutes, large panes and simple frame constructions are now possible.
• Higher viscosity: The glass flow rate is low due to the high viscosity and durability of borosilicate glass, so with more edge cover, greater fire resistance times in excess of 90 minutes can be achieved.
• NiS crystals do not form: Due to the chemical composition of borosilicate glass, nickel sulphide crystals cannot form. Spontaneous glass fracture due to embedded NiS crystals cannot happen with PYRAN®.
Further information is available from our sales and technical offices or visit www.firmanglass.com
