Doorset manufacturer the LS Group has prompted the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) to look at incorporating new European fire door standards into its Certifire Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.
The LS Group’s 30min fire-rated doorset has already passed the EN 1634 standard, which is regarded as more demanding than the current BS 476 Part 22. It is now working towards passing its 60min doorset to the standard.
The company, a member of the BWF, has been closely associated with formulating EN 1634.
The BWF is now expected to introduce a label to identify fire doors which have passed EN 1634 and have achieved the new ‘E’ or ‘EI’ classification.
E stands for integrity of the doorset in terms of it not burning right the way through and not giving off flames or hot gases, while EI also includes insulation qualities relating to surface temperature.
John Hedgecock, BWF technical manager, said: “It’s good to see manufacturers taking a lead on this. They are active on the BWF’s standards and technical committees and their feedback to us on issues like these is ultimately to the benefit of every member – whether large or small.”
In the existing BS standards, which will remain in force for about another seven years, there is no mechanism for assessment after testing, whereas with EN 1634 there is automatic assessment.
The BWF expects its adoption of the standard to stimulate interest among architects and specifiers, as well as favouring factory finished and assembled doorsets.
References to EN 1634 are made in the new supplement to Approved Document B in the building regulations, which came into effect on March 1.
