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� W H E N E X P E R I E N C E M A T T E R S

Fire Doors Explained - 2015


Why do we need to understand fire doors?


Background to the regulatory requirements


• Governed by Building regulations

• Fire Safety is covered by Part B

• Functional building regulations

Current fire safety legislation

New buildings


Part B of Building Regulations

Provide building occupants with sufficient means of escape to

reach places of safety before the environment becomes life

threatening:

Current fire safety legislation

New buildings

- B1 Means of warning and escape

- B2 Internal fire spread (linings)

- B3 Internal fire spread (structure)

- B4 External fire spread

- B5 Access and facilities for the fire service


Section B3 defined as:

• Passive Fire Protection

• Built In Fire Protection

• Compartmentation (Fire and Smoke)

Image source: PFPF Guide http://pfpf.org

Current fire safety legislationNew buildings


The role of fire resisting doors

Source: Fire Safety Risk Assessment series: HM Government, DCLG publications


PHE =

The evacuation of

patients away from a

Fire into an adjacent

fire free compartment

on the same level

(by staff only)

HTM-05 Progressive Horizontal Evacuation


FD30SCurrent standards:

1. Fire resisting to BS 476: Part 222. Smoke control to BS 476: Part 31.1

E30SaCurrent standards:

1. Fire resisting to BS EN 1634-12. Smoke control to BS EN 1634-3

Test standards provide a means of measuring performanceThese performance characteristics help to secure the means of escape


Fire testing, test reports and the role of assessments


1. The need for evidence of performance

2. Fire tests and Reports

3. Assessmentsand problemsolving

Objectives & outline


• Evidence to show compliance with building regulations may be

obtained via:

– A destructive fire test to BS or EN standards

– An assessment or Extended Field of Application (EXAP)

• Fire resistance tests will almost always be carried out at

independent, UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)

accredited laboratories - such as Exova Warringotn Fire

• Assessments and EXAP’s are to be written by competent product assessors

How to obtain test evidence


• The current test standards for non-loadbearing elements are:

– BS 476: Part 22: 1987

– BS EN 1634-1

• Doors are installed to form one side of a special furnace

• The furnace temperature is increased at a pre-defined rate (850°C in 30 minutes, 950°C in 60 minutes)

• Doors have to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases for the relevant period

Fire resistance testing


Fully Developed

Compartment Fire with

Combustible Linings

Fire flashover (fully developed compartment fire)


ISO 834 fire testing time temperature curve


A report of the test will then normally be written stating:

• conditions under which the test was conducted

• construction details of the specimen and installation

• a record of the data obtained during the test

• the integrity and insulation performance of a construction in terms of minutes to failure.

Fire test report


Test reports are statements of fact

Assessments are statements of expert opinion

Global Assessments - use both engineering expertise and test experience to provide a wider scope of application (U.K. & Ireland)

Extended Application Reports (EXAPs) - are written using expert judgement to apply the relevant EXAP standard to the test results for a particular design (Europe – for the purpose of CE marking)

Assessments


Assessments


Manufacturers choose to have global assessments produced

because:

– they provide a definite range of cover for the doorset

– they avoid the need to re-test for minor changes

– they provide confidence that the manufacturer is maximising their test data

NB: EXAPs essentially provide the same but can be used for the purpose of CE marking

Global assessment reports


These are needed when:

– a project specific document is required by the client or local authority

– Ancillary Certificates as part of the Completion Certificate required under BCAR

– the requirements of the proposed construction fall outside the boundaries of a global assessment

– the fire authorities may want specific confirmation of fire resistance

– a site survey is needed to assess existing doors

Project specific assessments


St Pancras station


Project specific assessments can be used to solve construction

and installation issues:

Problem solving


How to understand quoted test evidence:

- What information do I ask for?

- What was actually tested?

- What claims are being made?

Ensuring correct solutions


Anatomy of fire resistant doorsets


1. What is afire door?

2. Componentsof a fire door

3. Steel andcompositefire doors

Objective & outline


What is a fire door?


A doorset may be called fire resisting if the complete design has

been subjected to a full scale fire resistance test to one of the

current test standards for non-loadbearing elements:

- BS 476: Part 22: 1987

- BS EN 1634-1

It is important to understand that the test standards are a measure of performance:

- They do not detail constructional requirements

- There is no such thing as a blueprint for a fire door

What is a fire door?


Behaviour of a timber door leaf in fire

frame

FIREFIRE

Timber shrinks and distorts towards fire

stop

doorleaf

exposed face

unexposed face


The main components of a timber based fire resisting doorset are:

– Door leaf

– Door frame

– Intumescent seals

– Essential hardware

– Glazing

Components of a timber fire door


There are three main types of timber based doorset design:

Unframed solid core Framed solid core Joinery

Door leaves

No one door type is better than another


As a rule of thumb

FD30 leaves are 44mm thick FD60 leaves are 54mm thick

Door leaves


Remember, it is the complete doorset which must resist fire forthe required time, right across the compartment line opening

– Softwood or hardwood frames for 30 minutes fire resistance

– Hardwood frames will be required for 60 minutes fire resistance

– MDF and metallic frames must have specific test evidence

– Door stops a minimum of 12mm deep, pinned or glued in position

– Joints must be robust and mechanically fixed

Door frames


Door frames

Mechanical fixingsMortise and tenon joint

Intumescent

Door stop

Other approved joints: half lapped; mitre; butt


Intumescent seals


Reacted intumescent seal

Leaf/frame

gap sealed

leaf

Leaf/frame

gap 3-4mm

Unreacted intumescent sealframe

stop

FIRE

EXPOSURE

Intumescent seals


There are three main types of intumescent material:

As a rule of thumb fire doors always need perimeter intumescents

Graphite Hydrated Sodium Silicate Monoammonium Phosphate

even for FD20 performance

Types of intumescent material


Types of intumescent material


• Essential hardware consists of:

- Locks and Latches

- Hinges

- Self-closing devices

• From July 2013 all essential hardware for fire doors must be CE marked where a harmonised European test standard exists

• CE marking indicates fire testing has been carried out but not the suitability of the product for the type of doorset

Essential hardware

- BS EN 12209

- BS EN 1935

- BS EN 1154


• FD30 must be steel or brass with a melting point ≥ 800˚C

• FD60 must be steel, and intumescent strips not fully interrupted

• Dimensions based on test evidence

• Typically positioned 1000-1200mm from threshold

• All FD60 hardware and large FD30 items need intumescent protection

Essential hardware - locks & latches


• FD30 must be steel or brass with a melting point ≥ 800˚C

• FD60 must be steel, and intumescent strips not fully interrupted

• Dimensions based on test evidence

• Number and location must comply with door manufacturers guidance

Essential hardware – hinges


Typical overhead surface mounted closers

Essential hardware - closers


Concealed closers will need specific test evidence

Concealed closers


“Perko” type closers tend to be restricted to small single leaf doorsets

Jamb mounted closers


• Must have fire test evidence for the rating required

• Double acting doorset configurations must be supported by suitable test evidence

• Top pivot likely to require intumescent protection – even for FD30

• Bottom strap may also require protection

Floor springs and top pivots


Closers not mandatory


Items of hardware that are not essential to performance include:

Some of these items will require specific fire test evidence whichwill limit both maximum sizes and positions on the leaf

Non-essential hardware


Glazing


Not all fire resisting doorsets may accept glazed openings:

• Glazing may be assessed into some doors that have not been tested with glass, although at restricted sizes

• Even if doors have been tested with glass, the area of glazing will be restricted, depending on the test evidence

• Incorrectly specified glass can fail very rapidly

• Only tested proprietary glazing systems must be used, with appropriate bead shape and fixings

• Remember that fanlights and sidelights must be considered as part of the complete doorset assembly

Glazing


Typical FD30 and FD60 proprietary glazing systems

Basic FD30 detail Basic FD60 detail

Steel pins or screws at

35 -40˚ to the glass

Steel pins or screws

at 35 -40˚ to the glass

No aperture liner Aperture liner

Proprietary

intumescent

detail

Timber fire door glazing systems


• In the UK most 30 and 60 minute fire doors are still timber based

• Steel fire doors are generally specified for industrial applications or where 90, 120 or 240 minutes fire resistance is required

• Composite fire doors fall into two groups:

• those constructed from materials such as GRP (glass reinforced plastic) with foam or mineral based cores, and primarily designed for the domestic market (mainly FD30)

• those constructed from non combustible mineral based materials for specialist and higher rated applications

• It is therefore important to understand some of the key differences.

Non-timber fire doors


frame

FIREFIRE

Timber shrinks and distorts towards fire

stop

doorleaf

exposed face

unexposed face

Behaviour of a timber door leaf in fire


frame

stop

Steel expands and distorts away from fire

FIREFIRE

exposed face

doorleaf

unexposed face

Behaviour of a steel door leaf in fire


– Thickness is generally between 55 and 75mm but is not linked directly to performance period

– Steel doors do not usually include intumescent seals but will often require smoke seals or acoustic seals

– Door leaves will need internal stiffeners

Steel fire doors – ‘rules of thumb’


There are two main categories of steel based doorset designs:

- ‘2 Tray’ design

Two steel trays are joined together with internal stiffeners and, if an insulation performance is required, a core material between them

- Solid frame with infill panel

The perimeter frame is a steel box section welded together and the glass or panel is fitted within this frame

Steel door leaves


– Steel frames are often a folded steel construction.

– They can fit within the aperture or ‘wrap around’ the wall

– Frames will need to be infilled if insulation performance is required

– Infill materials include mortar, cement, gypsum plaster, concrete and rockfibre

– Rockfibre infilled frames often need more fixing points to stop them bending under test.

Steel door frames


As for timber based fire doorsets, key items of hardware are:

– A self-closing system

– Hinges (or pivots)

– Locks and latches

• Hardware must be designed for 120 and 240 minutes performance. Melting points and flammability of component materials will be critical

• It is important to seal around locks in steel doors to stop burning gases escaping from the core during the fire test

Hardware for steel doorsets


• If the doorset is to perform for 90 or 120 minutes then special types of glass are required

– Borosilicate glass

– Ceramic glass

• Intumescent glazing seals are rarely required in steel doors and are usually replaced with a non-combustible glazing tape (e.g. ceramic fibre tape)

• Bead profiles are less important and square beads can be used

• An internal frame around the aperture is usually required to strengthen the leaf at the glass position

Glazing systems for steel doorsets


• Composite fire doors are a significant part of the UK market

• Under test their behaviour can be similar to timber doors if they contain timber elements such as internal stiles and rails

• Distortion is not as predictable as for timber based doorsets.

• Non timber elements (such as PVC frames) may cause failure by melting or collapsing.

Composite fire doors


• Composite fire doors for the UK domestic market, often flat entrance doorsets, may be constructed to satisfy other performance requirements:

• Secured By Design

• PAS 24

• Acoustic ratings

• It is important to recognise that alterations to components will invalidate these performance ratings and the doors will then need retesting

Composite fire doors


• A range of configurations may be specified such as:

– Double doors – Double acting door leaves– Overpanels and fanlights – Side screens

• Panic hardware for easy egress through doors (must be CE marked)

• Metallic interlayers or facings

• Multi performance ratings such as Acoustic, Security, X-Ray, Ballistics, Anti-ligature

• Disabled requirements (Part M of the Building Regs):

– Width of door for wheel chair access

– Glazing aperture to come down to level of chair

Other fire door design requirements


Cold (or ambient) smoke control seals may be fitted:

- Stop mounted

- Integral with an intumescent strip

- Fitted into rebate

The main issues are:

- The control of door gaps

- To ensure the smoke seal closes the gaps

- To make sure there are only limited amounts of unprotected region around the door

- To make sure the closer can close the door against the seal

- Limit set at 3m³/hr/m run of seal at + or - 25 Pascals

(BS 476: Part 31: Section 31.1)

Smoke control


Installation and maintenance best practice


The main components of an installation:

• The structural opening

• An appropriate fire doorset

• The packing and fixing method

• Door gap and alignment tolerances

• The fire/smoke stopping behind the frame

The components of installation


1. Must have the appropriate level of fire resistance

2. Must be created vertical and square on both sides of the opening

3. Must have a constant thickness (often caused by out of plumb masonry)

.

The structural opening

Prior agreement that apertures are to be used for fire doors before construction commences

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_M8Ttgk-0Ym0/S8b44gOGE_I/AAAAAAAAJHQ/f8-4LsdLqxo/s1600/P4050255.JPG


An appropriate fire doorset

• Ideally third party certified (e.g. Q-Mark)

• Suitable test evidence for intended configuration and construction

• Appropriate for end use application


The packing and fixing method• Suitable packers required at each fixing location and often at the head

• Fixings to the structural opening must hold the doorset securely

• Always aim to repack frame to adjust door gaps. If not possible pack hinges using similar timber or an intumescent gasket

• Manufacturers installation instructions should always be used in the first instance

• Further guidance for installation can be found in:

Test evidence

Assessments

BS 8214: 2008

ASDMA guidance


Door gap and alignment tolerances

Location Dimensions

Door edge gaps A minimum of 2mm and a maximum of 4mm

Alignment tolerances

Leaves must not be proud of each other or from the door frame by more than 1mm

Threshold10mm between bottom of leaf and top of floor covering

• Adjustment of gaps to be carried out when building is ‘dry’

• Smoke sealing requirements may dictate threshold gaps –check prior to install


Structural opening with a fire resistance equal or greater than that of the door

Doorset constructed with dimensions appropriate for structural opening to avoid alterations on site

Installation ‘step-by-step’


Packers inserted between frame and structural opening. Packers are best inserted at the hinge position

Door frame screwed back to structural opening using steel fixings, minimum 3 per jamb at approx each hinge location- often more are required



2-4mm gaps at jambs, meeting edges and across the head



A gap of up to 10mm sealed with a 10mm depth of acrylic intumescent mastic on both sides of the door frame



10mm to 20mm gaps tightly packed with rock fibre and capped with a 10mm depth of acrylic intumescent mastic to both sides of the doorset



The doorset has now been appropriately ‘fire stopped’



The architrave is then mechanically fixed over the fire stopping. The door can now be considered as correctly installed and will provide the required level of fire resistance



Examples of installation problems


Examples of problems on site - Installation


Doors hung with incorrect gaps



Smoke seals added which prevent leaves closing fully



Preventing Problems with Installation

� Compliant doorset

To ensure correct installation:

� Competent installers (experience, qualifications, training)

� The structural opening is appropriate for the period of fire resistance

� 3rd party certified installers….


Fire Door Maintenance


Fire door maintenance

Fire Service Act, 1981

Owner/occupier under has duty of care re: fire safety in buildings

Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act

Employer has responsibility for making sure fire doors are in sufficient

working order to safeguard employees in the event of fire

Economics:

Pro-active maintenance is a cost effective approach to fire safety

Why carry out fire door maintenance?

LIFE SAFETY

Paramount importance


Assumptions on doorset history

� It was originally manufactured and installed as a fire resisting doorset

� It was originally installed correctly with appropriate fire stopping to rear of frame and structural opening

Maintenance is carried out on the basis that the doorset history is as follows:

� The appropriate door frame material was used for the doorset and for the period of fire resistance

� The structural opening is appropriate for the period of fire resistance

� The intumescent materials and hardware were correct at the time of installation

� Ongoing maintenance / repair work has been conducted correctly without changing the specification of the doorset or affecting any of the above assumptions


Door leaves twisted by being held open at the top or bottom and

never released

Examples of problems on site - Maintenance


Intumescent seals missing



Hardware changed and voids not made good



Double door leaves binding so they cannot close



Impact damage to leading edges of leaves



Damage to glazing and incorrect glazing specification



Preventing Problems with Maintenance

� Assumptions on doorset history have been verified (and significant findings acted on)

To ensure compliant maintenance:

� Competent maintainers (experience, qualifications, training)

� 3rd party certified maintainers….


Q-Mark maintenance scheme (3rd party certification)

Q-mark maintenance scheme includes Acceptable repair Techniques (ARTs)

Where a proposed repair is covered by an ART, the repair may be undertaken

There are 22 ARTs that cover the majority of maintenance issues

Where damage is identified that is not covered by a specific ART, a Project Specific Repair Technique may be commissioned (ART 23)


The importance of correct manufacture, installation and

maintenance


Case study – ‘Devil in the detail’


Case Study – The reality on site of incorrect maintenance, specification and installation


Third party certification


Independent assurance that the products and installation will provide the required level of fire resistance....

What is third party certification?


• Large variation of products in the market-place

• 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!

• Protection against litigation

• Prevention of problems on site

• 3rd party certification is increasingly specified

Why have certification?


Examples of problems on site - Product


TYPICAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Initial Test Requirements

Documented Specifications

Installation Instructions

Periodic Audit VisitsPeriodic 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:


– Type testing to BS 476 Part 22: 1987 or BS EN 1634-1

– Global Assessment reports for scope of certification

– Periodic fire test audit

– A Quality Management System such as ISO 9001

– Specifications / Installation instructions

– Identification system to mark approved product

Fire door manufacture scheme


• Appropriate fire door training course

• Explanation of the schemes

• Examination to assess the competency of applicants based on prior knowledge and/or training sessions

• Must achieve required standard to proceed

• Initial and periodic site audits to check quality of installation or maintenance, administration, and training of joiners

Certified installer and maintenance schemes


Most Certification Bodies will list the following on their website:

• Scheme name

• Scheme details

• Current scheme members

• Scope of scheme members’ certification

• Scheme members’ contact details

How do you check the validity of certification?


• Denote the fire resistance of the door

• Have their own unique identifying number

• Shows the period of fire resistance

Identification of fire doors by labels or plugs


Label contains useful information regarding maintenance

The label should be relatively prominent to serve as a reminder for when further maintenance is due.

Fire door maintenance


Further guidance


Fire Doors doing their job!


QuestionsEvaluationThank You!

Q&A

fire doors explained -2015 - exovabmtrada.com€¦ · w h e n e x p e r i e n c e m a t t e r s...

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