Fire Door Certification

Fire door certification is a formal verification process that confirms a fire door meets specific safety standards. Certified doors have undergone rigorous testing to demonstrate their ability to withstand fire for specified periods, typically ranging from 30 to 120 minutes.

Certification is important for several reasons: it ensures the door will perform effectively during a fire emergency, it demonstrates compliance with legal regulations, and it provides building owners and occupants with peace of mind regarding their safety. Proper certification may also contribute to reduced insurance premiums.

In the UK, fire doors must be independently tested to either British Standard BS 476 Part 22 or the European equivalent BS EN 1634 Part 1. Testing must be conducted at a UKAS-approved test site by qualified engineers.

The main certification schemes include FIRAS (operated by Warrington Certification Ltd), BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Door Scheme, the BWF Fire Door Alliance, and certification from the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB).

FIRAS requires individual technicians to have their own licences and undergo direct audits by the governing body. BM TRADA grants a supervisor manager’s licence under which groups of technicians operate, with the supervisor responsible for signing off work rather than the scheme itself.

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Fire Door Alliance is a leading industry scheme that provides third-party certification for fire doors and their components. The scheme includes initial type testing, factory production control audits, and ongoing surveillance of certified manufacturers.

Certified fire doors typically have a label or plug on the top edge or hanging edge of the door. This label should include information such as the manufacturer’s name, fire resistance rating, certification number, and the third-party verification body’s mark.

The colour of a fire door plug indicates its fire resistance rating:

• Yellow background: 30 minutes of fire resistance (FD30)
• Blue background: 60 minutes of fire resistance (FD60)
• Brown or black background: 90 minutes of fire resistance (FD90)

Fire doors should be inspected at least once every six months to ensure they continue to meet the required standards. In high-traffic public areas, monthly checks are recommended to identify any signs of wear and tear.

The building owner or manager is legally responsible for ensuring fire doors are properly installed, maintained and inspected. This person is referred to as the “Responsible Person” under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. If a fire occurs and inadequately fitted or maintained fire doors result in injuries or damages, the Responsible Person may be held liable.

Fire doors are legally required in all non-domestic properties and domestic dwellings with three or more storeys. They must be installed in locations that create fire compartmentation, such as between different occupancies, stairwells, and corridors.

Fire doors must offer at least 30 minutes of fire resistance (FD30), providing occupants with sufficient time to evacuate and allowing emergency services to arrive. FD60 doors provide 60 minutes of resistance for higher-risk areas.

A certified fire door assembly includes the door leaf, frame, intumescent seals, glazing (if present), hinges, door closer, and other hardware such as locks and latches. All components must be compatible and installed correctly for the certification to be valid.

Fire door gaps should be consistently less than 4mm when closed. This ensures that the intumescent seals can effectively expand and seal the gaps in the event of a fire.