Don’t play with fire

The tragic events of the Grenfell disaster last year cast a long shadow and one that will remain with the industry for decades to come.  Of course lessons will be learnt and perhaps at long last due attention will be paid to safety above other considerations when deciding upon risk critical building products such as fire doors and fire door assemblies.  More immediately however we all await the inevitable changes to legislation and good practice, following Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review and how it will shape future product specification, installation and ongoing use throughout the life cycle of the building.

Understandably this has resulted in concern amongst specifiers and stake holders as they try to evaluate current practices and plan for potential future changes, especially in respect to social high-rise and complex buildings.  After all the specification of fire doors is not a game, and as we all know can have far reaching consequences.  It is little wonder therefore, that for customers and tenants using Vicaima products, the feeling of anxiety and apprehension regarding past, current and future use of fire doors is not an issue; providing of course that they have been correctly installed. 

Of course the fire door in itself does not provide the complete solution, this can only be achieved with compatible and rigorously tested components, including the correct frame and ironmongery.  This is why alongside fire doors, Vicaima also manufacture an extensive range of door kit solutions to create a complete, fully tested assembly via our Easi-Fit and Portaro brands.  These products include a full scope of performance characteristics for current and future social housing specifications, namely:
• Fire Tested to BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1:2014
• Secure by Design approved products
• Acoustic performance, both inherent and additional as required
• FD30 and FD60 rated, plus smoke seals to FD30s and FD60s
• Durability with DD171 and EN 1192 severe duty rating
• Mobility provision via glazing and dimensional flexibility
• Environmentally sound (all products are FSC Certified)
• Longevity with a 10 Year Guarantee

As specialist fire performance door manufacturers Vicaima have long understood the need to go above and beyond industry norms and simple compliance to provide ultimate peace of mind.  Vicaima has always prided itself on the construction of its fire doors, never cutting corners or compromising, regardless of whether it’s a humble painted door or a cutting edge designer product.  After all it is what you cannot see that makes the difference in a safe fire door.  This is perhaps best illustrated with the Vicaima standard FD30 fire door.  Manufactured using fully solid cores and a traditional stile and rail perimeter to enable reliable fixing of ironmongery i.e. hinges, door closures etc.   

Among the many important recommendations outlined within the Independent Review, is the need for third party accreditation when it comes to fire doors.  Here Vicaima adhere to not one but two nationally recognised and highly reputable bodies to verify the performance of our products, namely BWF-Certifire and BM TRADA Q-Mark.  In each case traceability is assured with the use of tamper evident labels and plastic plugs to provide clear understanding of fire rating and of course origin of manufacture.  This simple but effective marking, alongside a detailed inkjet stamp system to identify exact date of manufacture, enables Vicaima to establish complete control of our products throughout their lifecycle.

Of course fire safety does not need to equate to mundane or style less performance solutions.  Resident satisfaction should never be compromised and with Vicaima innovative designs options the scope is almost limitless; encompassing as it does finish foil, veneer, laminates and paint lacquered surfaces; with cost effective products for this demanding sector.

For more information regarding Vicaima Fire and other performance solutions visit www.vicaima.com