Fire Doors – Understanding the Essentials in Health Care Environments

The role of fire doors in health care buildings

What is a fire door?

FD30S E30Sa Current standards: 1. Fire resisting to BS 476: Part 22 2. Smoke control to BS 476: Part 31.1 E30Sa Current standards: 1. Fire resisting to BS EN 1634-1 2. Smoke control to BS EN 1634-3 Means of measuring performance Help to secure the means of escape Maintain compartment lines and facilitate P.H.E.

HTM-05 Progressive Horizontal Evacuation PHE = The evacuation of patients away from a Fire into an adjacent fire free compartment on the same level (by staff only)

Anatomy of fire doors

Door leaves Health care features: Heavy/severe duty X-ray shielding Hygienic finishes

Glazing Health care features: Document M (height of panel) X-ray shielding Privacy panels Glazing

Hardware Health care features: Anti-ligature Free swing Hold open devices

Monoammonium Phosphate Intumescent material There are three main types of intumescent material: Graphite Monoammonium Phosphate Hydrated Sodium Silicate Test evidence exists for fitting these seals in small sections for anti-ligature purposes

Key manufacturer, installation and maintenance issues

Example of issues - Manufacture

Example of issues - Manufacture

Example of issues - Manufacture

Examples of issues - Installation

Examples of issues - Installation

Examples of issues - Maintenance

Examples of issues - Maintenance

3rd Party Certification

3rd Party Certification Independent assurance of performance Denotes the fire resistance of the door Have their own unique identifying number Shows the period of fire resistance

Typical certification process Initial Test Requirements Documented Specifications Installation Instructions Periodic Audit Visits Periodic Audit Tests Initial Audit Visit Factory Production Control Requirements Marking of Certified Product Product: Initial training requirements Periodic Audit Visits Initial Audit Visit Initial examination Marking of Certified Work Installation/ Maintenance:

Third party certification Quality matters more to some than others! Test evidence covers the product tested but may not reflect the on- going quality of products on the production line! Poor or incorrect installation and maintenance can seriously undermine the performance Helps to demonstrate due diligence in the event of an incident Long - term cost effectiveness – Saves you money

When to specify third party certification Manufacture Product certification Installation Service certification Ongoing Maintenance Service certification = confidence in the ability of the product to continue to perform throughout its life

Reality of incorrect specification and installation

Test 2 Test 1

Summary Fire doors play a key role in health care buildings Fire doors must be considered as complete doorsets – understand critical components Fire door performance can be drastically reduced by seemingly small construction issues Third party certification is an effective way of ensuring compliance and therefore product performance

For further information: Peter Barker BM TRADA Chiltern House Stocking Lane Hughenden Valley High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 4ND E: pbarker@bmtrada.com T: 01494 569833