Definitions
Fire Door
A door leaf of a design that has been tested to have resistance to fire. The main component of the fire door assembly.
Fire doorset
A fire door leaf supplied pre-hung in its frame, with hinges, glazing, fire and smoke seals and ironmongery supplied as a complete set. Doorsets may be also available in an unassembled form, often known as door-kits. Doorsets can be manufactured by the main fire door manufacturer, or under license from BWF Approved Licensed Converters
Fire Door Assembly
All the correct, compatible and 3rd party certificated elements of a fire doorset, BUT which have been gathered together from different sources.
Fire Door Installation
A fire doorset or fire door assembly finally installed correctly to comply with the Building Regulations and relevant British or European Standards
Compatible Components
All the correct, compatible and 3rd party certificated elements of a fire door assembly defined in the manufacturer's installation instructions or test evidence. (Frame, closers, intumescent seals and any glazing, glass, air transfer grilles etc.)
Fire Door Frames
Door frames, door linings or door casings which are manufactured specifically to match, at least, the frames used in the door manufacturer's test. In the case of ½ hour fire doors, these are manufactured from softwood. In some cases MDF linings or casings may be used. 1 hour fire doors and above require hardwood frames.
Note : Door manufacturers may have different sized frames for each of their door tests. In the case of MDF, not all manufacturers have test evidence for all of the doors in their range. BWF-Approved ½ hour fire door frames are available to suit most commonly available doors from BWF-CERTIFIRE Approved Suppliers or BWF Approved Fire Door Centres.
Essential Ironmongery
Items that are vital to the fire resistance performance.
Hinges to BS EN 1935 CE marked and Certifire Approved
Closers - CE Marked and Certifire Approved
Latches - mortice or tubular to BS EN 12209
Knobsets - latches and knobs which have an integral locking / latch mechanism - Certifire Approved
Non-essential Ironmongery
Handles, knobs, spyholes, letterplates etc. that are not vital to the fire resistance BUT must be fitted in accordance with the fire door manufacturer's fitting instructions or test evidence.
Intumescent Seals
Seals placed into grooves machined in the two vertical sections and top edge of the door frame. When exposed to heat, intumescent seals expand to many times their original size, sealing the gap between the door and the frame and aiding containment of the fire.
Combined Intumescent and Smoke Seals
Provide additional protection to prevent the passage of cold smoke. In some circumstances, smoke seals are a Building Regulation requirement.
Test evidence
A full scale test of a door, frame and essential components, carried out by an independent UKAS test laboratory. The test defines the parameters for which the door can be used and the exact components with which the door was tested. A test certificate is issued to provide 3rd party, accredited evidence. Subsequent door installations should replicate the tested assembly to ensure fitness for purpose.
Configuration
An important aspect of door selection. This means whether the assembly is single or double leaf (pair) or single swing (a door which opens in one direction only) or double swing (a door with special hinges that allow it to open in either direction - e.g in corridors). You MUST have clear evidence that the door may be used in the configuration required. Doors designed for a particular configuration will have different requirements in respect to seals, ironmongery.
Glazed and non-glazed apertures
In some situations 'glazed vision panels' or 'glazed apertures' are required to be added to the door to allow for additional light or vision of the other side of the door. Non-glazed apertures may be required in the case of louvre panels or air transfer grilles. The addition of apertures will seriously affect the performance of the door unless it is undertaken ONLY by companies that are licensed and approved to carry out this type of work to agreed procedures. Cutting and glazing apertures must NEVER be undertaken on site and will negate the door's test certificate.
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