Fire, Security and Safety

The internet is awash with manufacturers, installers and ‘experts’ citing different test standards and accreditations.  Scott Francis, Technical Manager at Bowater Doors unpicks this information and explains what you should look for when choosing a composite fire door.

Look for the latest standard - BS EN 1634
BS EN 1634 is the latest standard for fire resistance and smoke control and is accepted in Approved Document B, the fire safety element of the Building Regulations in England.
It’s a far more demanding test in comparison to the old BS 476 standard. This is particularly in reference to the requirement to expose both sides of the door to the fire combined with the increased level of pressure and heat in the furnace.  We made the decision to test our doors to the limits with regards to safety and security to ensure we are offering the best composite fire door on the market.

Air Bricks are primarily used for ventilation; passively or mechanical depending on the application. Traditional materials used include clay, cast iron and plastic, with plastic being the preferred option.

In the aftermath of the Grenfell disaster in 2017, hopes were raised that the government would move at speed to overhaul legislation and improve fire safety protection for residents living in social housing in England and Wales.

A campaign to change-up the national conversation around social housing safety and compliance with landlords, residents, government and suppliers, is calling for safety pledges ahead of the first annual National Social Housing Safety and Compliance Week. 

Running 21st – 25th June, the inaugural awareness week is spearheaded by the Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP), in association with CORGI, to raise standards in safety, compliance, learning, competence and collaboration for a safer future for social housing.

The “best yet” is how Gilberts Blackpool is describing its latest range of smoke evacuation dampers for multi-storey buildings.

The UK’s market leader in the sector, Gilberts is taking its reputation to new heights with its new Series 60 smoke evacuation damper range.

Believed to be the only vent of its kind designed and manufactured in the UK, Series 60 offers what Gilberts claims will the biggest standard range of EN13501-3 compliant fire-tested dampers. The initial launch provides seven sizes, from 440mm x 440mm up to 1000mm x 1125mm, and all CE marked to EN12101-8; further sizes in just 1mm increments will follow.

Chubb has recently announced the launch of CareUnity® Digital – a new, future-proof dispersed alarm unit that supports the latest 4G technology. Designed to encourage independent living, CareUnity® Digital sets new standards for technology-enabled care, ensuring the home environment is monitored 24 hours a day. Chubb is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

Fire safety remains the top priority in the design of safer, healthier social housing. The government has announced it will be getting tougher on those who fail to comply with fire safety regulations, such as imposing unlimited fines on anyone caught obstructing or impersonating a fire inspector, as well those who breach fire safety regulations under the Fire Safety Order.1