The Door Industry Journal: September 2023

Saturday 30 September 2023

Garador Begins Producing Garage Doors with Renewable Energy

Garador is reinforcing its leadership in British manufacturing with a major investment in solar energy.

Britain’s foremost garage door manufacturer has just completed the installation of over 1,500 solar panels across its main factory roof to help power its machinery.

The major installation should provide well over half of the power requirements at Garador in the summer months, possibly more in sunny weather and will still make a major contribution to overall power supply during the cloudier, colder winter months as well.

Garador’s main factory and head office are located on the outskirts of Yeovil, in Somerset and, along with its established leadership in garage door manufacturing, the company has already been recognised for its environmental policies, including reducing plastic protective wrapping from all its products.

With strong sales of its latest designs in roller and sectional garage doors as well as in its top selling traditional up and over doors, turning to solar energy is just one of a number of recent investments made by the company for the future.

Garador’s Managing Director Jon Watson said:

“The amount of preparation needed for the installation was extensive.
“We had to repair, refurbish and paint the roof before we could begin fitting any solar panels.
“Then we needed an inverter, to transform the DC power from the panels into AC power to run the production machinery, along with energy monitoring equipment.”

He added:

“It has been a complex process but we are confident the panels will not only help to reduce our carbon footprint but also reduce our overall electricity costs over the long-term,”

The installation was carried out by Perfect Sense Energy.

Ian Marr, head of sales at Perfect Sense Energy, said:

“Garador were an excellent client to work with. The project was supported from day one by the board and senior management.
“The system is expected to generate over 700,000 kWh of clean electricity, with return on investment in just a few years and significant reductions in CO2.”

Garador say they are now putting the finishing touches to the installation and it should be fully up and running in the coming weeks.

Find out more about Garador and its full line of products, by visiting www.garador.co.uk

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Friday 29 September 2023

Promat UK supports Fire Door Safety Week with its own extra checks

The BWF “5 Step Fire Door Check” that is published to educate building owners and managers about the regular checks needed to ensure fire doors stay compliant and protect lives.

Fire resistant door and glazing systems manufacturer Promat UK is backing this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) (25-29 September 2023) to help ensure the important message about staying safe in buildings of all types is kept firmly in the spotlight.

In addition to promoting the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) initiative through its social media channels and communications with customers and suppliers, the Promat team is using the FDSW toolkit to carry out additional fire door safety checks across its site at Heywood in Lancashire.

This has provided an opportunity for members of the team to get involved, including those whose day to day work involves designing, manufacturing and supplying the products used in many of Promat’s fire rated door sets, to learn more about the five aspects of an installed fire door that need to be checked regularly to ensure it is fit for purpose and safe.

The FDSW initiative recommends checking that each fire door has the necessary certification in place and ensuring that any apertures such as air grilles have not be altered.

One of the fire doors at the Promat UK site in Heywood undergoing an additional inspection as part of the 2023 Fire Door Safety Week.

It also highlights checking the consistency of the gaps and seals around the door frame, making sure closers work correctly, and assessing that the door closes fully around the whole frame.

Cath McLean, Sales Manager for Glass at Promat UK said:

“We’re 100% behind Fire Door Safety Week because it is so important to remind people that we shouldn’t take fire doors for granted – they are here to save lives.

“All the fire doors on our Heywood site are checked annually by independent inspectors, but we thought it would be a great idea as part of FDSW to give anyone in our team the opportunity to learn more about why we need to check the condition of all fire doors, and how they help us stay safe at work.”

Promat UK is a passive fire protection specialist which manufactures a wide variety of fire resistant materials used throughout the construction sector.

Its product range includes timber door sets which are manufactured to offer a fire rating of 30 to 60 minutes, and several different glass doors featuring a steel frame with the same fire rating.

To find out more about Promat UK’s fire doors, along with its extensive range of fire resistant glazing systems including the market-leading Promat SYSTEMGLAS®, visit www.promat.com/en-gb/industry/technologies/fire-rated-glass/.

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Thursday 28 September 2023

Warringtonfire and BM TRADA reminds industry of fire safety responsibilities ahead of Fire Door Safety Week

With Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) less than a week away, Warringtonfire and its sister company BM TRADA, leading providers of testing, inspection, and certification services, are urging ‘Responsible Persons’ for fire safety to refresh their knowledge following recent changes to national fire safety legislation.

Taking place between 25 - 29 September, FDSW is the British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) annual reminder that everyone has a part to play in ensuring fire doors perform as they should in the event of a fire.

In conjunction with the event, Peter Barker, Technical Manager at Warringtonfire, is encouraging stakeholders responsible for fire doors to familiarise themselves with the relevant changes to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 that came into force earlier this year.

Peter said:

“Fire Door Safety Week is a great initiative that many will be familiar with, however it is imperative that everyone refreshes their understanding of how to keep our buildings safe from fire.

“If you are a ‘Responsible Person’, as defined under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO), then you have a duty to comply with the regulations.

“The RRFSO applies to all workplaces and commercial buildings, as well as non-domestic parts of multi-occupied residential buildings – this includes those areas clarified by the Fire Safety Act 2021, and this applies to England only.”

Under the RRFSO, the ‘Responsible Person’ must carry out an assessment of the fire risks to people on the premises or within its vicinity, and these are described as ‘relevant persons’ in the order.

Peter added:

“If you are unsure about your responsibilities you should read the legislation and consult guidance, such as that given within our book ‘Getting started with Fire protection: your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2nd Edition’, which can be bought through our sister company BM TRADA’s bookshop.”

Along with being familiar with fire safety responsibilities, Peter also advises that throughout the built environment supply chain, stakeholders should be checking that manufacturers can adequately demonstrate the performance of their doorsets.

For example, flat entrance doorsets often have to provide fire resistance, smoke control and security, and the performance can be assured by specifying doorsets that are certified for all three performance characteristics by a UKAS-accredited third-party certification provider, such as Warringtonfire and BM TRADA, who are part of Element Materials Technology.

This will ensure compliance with the official police security initiative, Secured By Design (SBD), standards.

Last year, SBD announced all SBD member companies with doorsets listed with it that are fire rated and that are required by UK Building Regulations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) must have smoke control properties for the intended installation.

For example, flat entrance doorsets, need to be certificated for the following attributes – Security, Fire and Smoke Control.

Peter continued:

“The control of smoke is imperative in a fire scenario and this has been highlighted by Secured By Design through its latest requirement.

“Through our Certifire and Q-Mark certification schemes, offered by Warringtonfire and BM TRADA respectively, doorset manufacturers can meet SBD requirements and offer multi-performance doorsets that deliver the highest form of fire safety and security.”

For more about the ‘Getting started with Fire protection: your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2nd Edition’, click here.

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Wednesday 27 September 2023

Spare a Minute for Maintenance

With new fire safety regulations around the corner and a renewed focus on responsible persons and coordination, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK discusses the significance of fire door hardware and why regular inspections and maintenance periods must remain high on the agenda.

Fire doors and their hardware are often the first line of defence in the event of a fire.

Working in tandem, they coexist as a core element of a building’s passive fire protection system, providing valuable protection and time for occupants to escape by compartmentalising the spread of smoke and fire in an emergency.

In the UK alone, approximately 3 million fire doors are purchased and installed each year.

Such is their significance to fire safety, each component requires detailed engineering, third-party testing and critically, periods of ongoing inspection and maintenance.

While each stage of a fire door’s lifecycle is strictly regulated, fire door checks and maintenance fall under the remit of a building’s designated responsible person and is widely understood to be an area that has fallen under neglect.

As such, in January 2023, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, under Regulation 10, made it a legal requirement for all responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings to conduct regular fire door checks within their premises.

And while it’s said that overall inspection levels are rising, with 68% of responsible persons now conducting fire door checks (or having them inspected by professionals) every month or every quarter, there’s still work to be done.

Karen Trigg of Allegion UK says:

“In the 12 months ending March 2023, fire and rescue services attended 178,737 fire incidents in England, a 17% increase compared with the previous 12 months.
“And when you consider the portion of fire door sets that remain overlooked, the numbers don’t make for good reading.
“Fire doors and their hardware play an invaluable role in the safety of our built environment, but there are considerable differences between a fire door that’s operating as intended and one that hasn’t been correctly specified, installed and maintained.
“When it comes to maintenance specifically, Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, states that responsible persons must ensure fire doors and their hardware are ‘subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and good repair’”.

Even durable fire door hardware can become worn and tired in a high-footfall environment and may need repairing or replacing over time.

A damaged or ineffective self-closing device, for example, can limit the closing action of a fire door and prevent it from fully closing into the frame - rendering it useless in the event of a fire.

“Although we’ve seen real development towards fire safety education in recent years, we must continue to drive forward the number of responsible persons conducting organised fire door checks and maintenance periods as part of their risk assessment duties.
“The introduction of updated guidance on 1st October 2023 aims to do this further, by improving the cooperation and coordination between responsible persons and raising the requirements associated with recording and sharing fire safety information during fire risk assessments.
“The update will also make it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance.”

A stitch in time saves lives

As fire safety processes tighten, building owners and facility managers shouldn’t feel discouraged in their actions.

In fact, responsible persons are reminded that there’s no need to overcomplicate fire door inspections.

A simple visual assessment, conducted and recorded by a competent individual, could make the difference between compliance and a fire safety disaster.

Karen Trigg continues:

“For responsible persons conducting checks, the first step of fire door safety is recognising each component of a fire door and the potential faults to look for when evaluating its condition.
“The British Woodworking Federation Group - in support of Fire Door Safety Week - shares regular and reliable advice on fire door safety; including a practical five-step checklist that has been designed to support responsible persons during fire door assessments.”

The checklist works as a visual guide and covers the five key areas of a fire door - informing users on what to look out for, including:

Certification:

“A label or similar marking can often be found towards the top or side of the door and will confirm the fire door is genuine and certified.

“All ironmongery components, including locks, latches, closers and hinges must also be UKCA/CE marked and compatible with the door leaf’s certification.”

Apertures:

“More often than not, fire doors are tested as solid doors and without any glazing panels or air transfer grilles.

“It’s important to ensure there are no apertures, holes or breaks in the surface of the door or frame. Decision makers are also reminded that altering the door will make certification void.”

Gaps and seals:

“Gaps around the fire door should be no greater than 3mm, and this must remain consistent around the whole frame. Intumescent strips must also be fitted at the top and sides of the door and show no signs of wear as this may negate the door’s ability to compartmentalise smoke and fire.

“Additionally, check for CE or BS EN 1935 marked hinges, which must be firmly fixed and without missing screws.”

Door closers:

“When it comes to door closers, it’s vital to check that your door hardware is fully functioning and will close the door onto the latch from any standing position.

“The door must fully engage with the frame from any opening angle, and it’s recommended that users check this by letting go of the door from 75mm through to the closed position.

“It’s also important to review any hold-open devices to ensure they aren’t working against the door’s self-closing devices, as fire doors must not be wedged open in any scenario.”

Operation:

“Testing the operation of the full door assembly is essential - from handles and closers to hinges and seals.

“If the door is not operating effectively, is closing incorrectly on any of its sides, or there is any doubt towards hardware certification and reliability, responsible persons must identify the problem before arranging and managing professional maintenance as soon as possible.

“Because when it comes to fire safety, there’s simply no time to stand still.”

How Allegion UK can help

Allegion UK has a wealth of resources to help professionals undertake product selection, installation and maintenance checks on fire doors and hardware.

For post-installation and maintenance support, Allegion’s simple toolkit provides information and tips on detecting potential faulty doors and poor installation, a guide to the EN classification system and a safety checklist.

There’s also an option to order a free door gap tester or download Allegion’s general guide to service and maintenance for free.

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Tuesday 26 September 2023

ASSA ABLOY Door Group Champions Fire Door Inspections

Door Group, a division of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, is calling for a higher calibre of fire door inspections this Fire Door Safety Week, after research found a third (32%) of the British public would not report a problem with a fire door, putting lives at risk.

Shockingly, those asked believed that a fire door that was propped open with a wedge or a fire extinguisher was safe, and 15% believed that keeping a fire door closed stops it performing, highlighting a lack of understanding around the role fire doors play in the event of a fire.

What’s more, only 19% of those responsible for the specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors inspect their fire doors twice a year, 14% inspect annually, while 3% only inspect their fire doors when an issue has been reported.

Four in five respondents say end clients do not require third-party certified fire doors to be specified.

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at Door Group, said:

“Fire doors are one of the most important safety features in a building, as they provide a critical part of the fire compartmentation requirement.
“Gross negligence when it comes to fire door safety can have serious and devastating implications.
“The public’s lack of understanding around fire doors means it’s even more vital that buildings and facilities managers ensure compliance to protect occupants.
“However, nearly a third (30%) of those responsible for fire door safety say they do not fully understand their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act2.
“It is imperative that those responsible for the property ensure life safety products have been independently verified, are regularly audited or certified and have been manufactured and installed by competent companies or individuals.
“Suppliers and manufacturers also have a duty of care to their customers at each and every stage of a project, to offer a solution that is properly and unambiguously safeguarded by certification.”

As part of its commitment to fire door safety, Door Group provide a fully comprehensive inspection which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements.

Following inspections, Door Group offers detailed reports containing advice and recommendations on necessary improvements, with the knowledge that identifying any potential issues that could impact safety and product performance can be lifesaving.

If any issues do occur, a tailored repair proposal is issued to include anything from replacement doors to a regular maintenance program.

Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified and will ensure that all fire doors inspected meet all necessary standards and regulations.

For more information on ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, please visit https://bit.ly/3gGLU3R.

2 https://firedoors.bwf.org.uk/latest-news/almost-a-third-of-those-responsible-for-fire-doors-do-not-understand-fire-door-responsibility-under-building-safety-act/

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Monday 25 September 2023

Leading Doors Manufacturer backs Fire Door Safety Week

Stairways Midlands, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of staircases and doors, is getting behind The British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Safety Week from Monday 25th September until Friday 29th September.

The annual safety week aims to raise awareness of the critical role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property in the event of a fire.

Stairways, a longstanding member of The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and a BWF Fire Door Alliance Licensed Door Processor Member is a strong supporter of the Safety Week and will be sharing the BWF’s safety messages across its social media platforms, as well as offering insights from some of its in-house industry experts.

Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager - Door Divisions, Stairways Midlands, said:

“We are proud to be members of the British Woodworking Federation, and pleased to be able to support them in this annual Fire Door Safety Week, which shares vital safety messages which can help save lives.”

This year’s Fire Door Safety Week will focus on the need for education to empower building users to be able to spot common fire door issues – for example, propped open or door closer removed - and provide them with the confidence to report it to the responsible person for maintenance.

The campaign will also bring to life the importance of the life-saving role that a fire door fulfils and the need for everyone to play a role in reporting issues to ensure fire doors remain fit for purpose and able to perform as designed to save lives.

Added Richard Kowalski:

“Being in this business we know all about fire door specifications and certifications, and we even offer training around installation, because we know this is a common area for errors to creep in which undermine the efficacy of a fire door – but we can’t see what happens to our doors they’re in use.
“Sadly, we know that a perfect sound fire door can still be undermined in its crucial role, by being propped open for example, or poorly maintained.
“This year’s campaign is a reminder that everyone can play a part in ensuring a fire door performs as it should if there’s a fire.
“As well as renewing the important messages about ensuring fire doors are properly tested, certified and fitted correctly, this is about what happens next.
“People living and working in buildings where they are relying on those fire doors need to know what to look out for and alert the right people when they spot a problem.
“If we can educate and empower them, we can help avoid more fire tragedies.”

Research conducted in 2022 by the British Woodworking Federation as part of their Fire Door Safety Week campaign ‘Close the Door on Fire’, found that over 30% of those asked believed that a fire door that was propped open with a wedge or fire extinguisher was safe.

Not only was a propped open fire door incorrectly deemed as safe, but 15% believed that keeping a fire door closed stops it from performing, highlighting a lack of understanding around the role fire doors play in the event of a fire.

Research conducted in 2022 found that a third of the British public would not report a problem with a fire door.

And despite three-quarters correctly believing that propping a fire door open stops it from performing its role in the event of a fire, almost half wouldn’t take action over a propped open fire door as they wouldn’t know who to report it to.

The issues around fire door safety don’t just exist in high-rise, high-risk buildings.

They are prevalent in pretty much any sector and building type that you think of, from care homes and hospitals to schools and specialist housing.

The advice section aims to cover all applications.

To find out more on Stairways, visit: stairways.co.uk

For more information about Fire Door Safety Week, including videos, toolkits and a five-step fire door check-list visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk

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Sunday 24 September 2023

Introducing the All-Electric Mini eMastered by David Brown Automotive

David Brown Automotive, the name synonymous with British craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless design, has today revealed the arrival of Mini eMastered.

The all-electric creation marks a new era for David Brown Automotive, and will set new standards for zero-emissions, urban driving elegance.

Mini eMastered combines the marque’s world-leading expertise in bespoke luxury with iconic, classic car style.

At the forefront of automotive excellence, David Brown Automotive is known for remastering the iconic shape and look of the classic Mini as a bold, clean, electric product for the roads of today.

The all-electric Mini eMastered showcases the perfect fusion of timeless aesthetics and electric propulsion, redefining the art of driving for the modern age.

Performance

Owners will experience an effortless, whisper-quiet ride thanks to a powerful all-electric drivetrain.

The feather-light 640kg Mini eMastered – the same weight as an original ICE car - harnesses the latest in electric technology, delivering sprightly acceleration thanks to a compact, power dense Zonic 70 motor emitting 72kW (97hp) and 175Nm of instantly accessible torque.

Mini eMastered dispatches the 0-62mph dash in just 8.5 seconds and runs on to an (electronically limited) top speed of 92mph when in sports mode.

Thanks to its light weight and excellent powertrain efficiency, Mini eMastered delivers a WLTP certified range of 110 miles from its ‘right sized’ 18.8kWh battery, allowing for effortless city travel with total peace of mind.

Capable of up to 6.6kW AC charging via a charging port housed in the same location as the original fuel filler outlet, the battery can be replenished in just 3 hours* using a typical home wall box charging point or a dedicated electric charging point (*charge point dependent).

Classic Design, Remastered

The timeless charm of the classic Mini is revived and taken to new heights.

Meticulously handcrafted by David Brown Automotive’s skilled British artisans, the all-electric Mini eMastered retains its iconic silhouette whilst enhancing a smooth driving experience through enhancements to the interior and its electrified powertrain, making it a masterpiece of contemporary elegance.

This is truly a classic car integrated with all the electric technology required for modern city life.

Sustainable Luxury

Mini eMastered is a commitment to sustainability that is possible in every aspect of this remarkable model, each owner has the option to specify the materials used throughout to their exacting needs.

By embracing zero emissions power, David Brown Automotive’s models old and new will contribute to a cleaner future, minimising environmental impact without compromising on performance or luxury, offering each owner and driver peace of mind.

Personalisation at its Finest

As with every David Brown Automotive creation, owners can indulge in an extensive array of bespoke options.

Each Mini eMastered can be tailored to the unique preferences of its discerning owner, ensuring a truly personalised and exclusive driving experience.

Mini eMastered takes its cues from a donor body, which is hand crafted to exacting standards by David Brown Automotive’s expert team of artisan coachbuilders based in Silverstone, England.

Technological Innovation

The all-electric Mini eMastered is a usable classic city car. It embraces new technologies for a user-friendly driving experience.

From the seamless integration of a technological EV platform, through to a modern integrated infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Mini eMastered raises the bar for owners seeking a modern classic that offers a clean, quiet, and convenient driving experience.

Michelle Gay, Sales & Marketing Director at David Brown Automotive, said:

“The launch of the all-electric Mini eMastered reaffirms David Brown Automotive's distinguished position as a driving force of the luxury automotive industry.
“There is an inherent challenge in electrifying such an iconic model, to retain the high levels of reliability, performance, and quality that our customers expect.
“Mini eMastered is a shape that captures hearts and minds, and it is the embodiment of our passion, vision, and commitment to sustainable luxury today and into the future.
“With an unwavering dedication to British craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability, we have earned global recognition for our renowned handcrafted automotive masterpieces and today we are proud to showcase our electric future.”

This entry into electric mobility allows enthusiasts, collectors, and current David Brown Automotive owners to commission their own electrified model.

The very first example of this will be revealed later this autumn.

Website: www.davidbrownautomotive.com

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Saturday 23 September 2023

Smart Tech Fatigue Putting Consumers off Buying, research finds

Millions of consumers are being put off purchasing smart technology for their homes due to feeling overwhelmed with the products currently available on the market, new research has found.

Despite two-thirds of UK homeowners already owning at least one piece of smart tech, many are hesitant about purchasing more due to being worried about cost (43%), the wealth of devices on offer (39%), their ability to correctly install the products themselves (39%) and potential security risks (37%).

Detailed in the Homes Unhooked PR and Marketing Report, released by Unhooked Communications, the research also shows that despite concerns, more than half of people hope to buy new smart technology for their homes in the next 12 months. Drivers for purchasing include increased convenience (16%), enhanced security (15%), improved energy efficiency (15%), and to create a customised home (8%).

Topping the list of planned purchases are smart doorbells (23%), smart lightbulbs (18%), external cameras (17%), smart plugs (14%) and alarm systems and locks (13%).

Top 10 home tech purchases planned in the next 12 months:

1. Smart doorbell 23%

2. Smart bulbs 18%

3. External cameras / CCTV 17%

4. Smart plugs 14%

5. Smart alarm system 13%

6. Smart lock 13%

7. Lighting control system 13%

8. Smart speakers 12%

9. Smart speaker 12%

10. Robot vacuum cleaner / smart robot cleaners 12%

Claire Gamble, MD of Unhooked Communications, said:

“With technology advancing at such a rapid pace, it’s an exciting time for businesses manufacturing, supplying and selling smart home products and services. Although many people are embracing tech for the home, some are too overwhelmed by the choice and worried about issues such as integrating and using the devices, security and cost.

“Understanding these concerns can help marketing teams to tailor their messaging and develop content that not only promotes the benefits of the products, but also reassures consumers, informs buying decisions and provides additional support once the sale has been made.”

For more information visit: weareunhooked.com

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Friday 22 September 2023

PPD Security Ratings Made Simple

An illustrated guide aimed at ironing out confusion over standards and accreditation for security-rated powered pedestrian doors (PPD) has been published by the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA).

Guidance for Security Rated Powered Pedestrian Doors is a free 20-page illustrated document which defines principal burglary resistance security standards currently used in the UK.

Available to download from ADSA’s website www.adsa.org.uk it outlines the scope of each standard, how they vary from each other and how they apply to exacting benchmarks such as Secured By Design – an initiative managed by UK police.

The document clarifies the range of physical attack ratings against damage which may be caused during burglary or vandalism and outlines the levels of testing undertaken for products to achieve certification. These are depicted through diagrams and flow charts to help the reader make better sense of each standard and its processes.

It is also packed with interactive links for further reading and access to standards documentation – helping keep all related content in one place.

ADSA produced the guide after recognising confusion across the industry over the different standards. The initiative was prompted by an increasing number of enquiries to its technical support line from members and other industry professionals including architects, specifiers, building owners and facilities managers, seeking clarification on subtle differences between the likes of RC2, RC3 and LPS 1175.

Darren Hyde, ADSA’s Technical and Training Manager, said:

“This publication is a useful addition to the information that we currently offer through the ADSA Academy and our training courses. It extends a level of understanding to a larger audience – not just ADSA members but those in the wider development and building management industry.

“There are a variety of standards which apply to the security of automatic doors to ensure that they meet quality standards to protect property from attempted burglary and vandalism. Some of the requirements within these standards overlap but each is intended to meet a specific criteria and this publication outlines how these apply, together with the levels of testing which products must undergo.

“Ultimately, these standards raise the bar by ensuring our industry produces quality products that are resilient and provide peace of mind to the end user.”

For further information about ADSA membership contact: rachel@adsa.org.uk

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Thursday 21 September 2023

ZEROplus Announce High Performing Smoke Classification for Steel Door Dropseal

Leading door hardware supplier, ZEROplus are proud to have achieved the high-performing BS EN 1634-3 smoke classification for their fire-rated steel door dropseal.

The 355A Automatic Dropseal underwent stringent air leakage tests to ensure its leakage rate doesn't exceed 3m³/h per meter at 25 Pa.

The new testing means the fire-rated, steel-door dropseal has gained the additional BS EN 1634-3 smoke rating — the highest classification possible for cold smoke seals.

With the most common cause of fire death being recorded as being 'overcome by gas or smoke' by the Fire Rescue Service last year, the door hardware supplier is delighted with the new rating as the dangers of smoke inhalation can't be understated.

Mark Lockley, Managing Director of ZEROplus, explains:

“The smoke produced by an indoor fire is highly toxic.

“All combustible materials cause poisonous smoke when burning, and the more manufactured materials set alight, the more toxins are emitted.
“As a significant two-thirds of fabrics are now made from petrochemicals and most homes and business premises contain increasing amounts of synthetic materials, the smoke from a fire today poses an ever more serious threat.
“In fact, it's estimated that as many as 50% to 80% of all fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation.”

Along with the high level of smoke safety, the 355A Automatic Dropseal is fire-rated for steel doors with up to 180 minutes of fire integrity to BS EN 1634-1:2014, making it the ideal addition to any steel fire door.

Mark continues:

“Smoke can spread through a building at an alarming speed.
“The smoke from a fire wants to rise, but in a building, the smoke becomes restricted by the ceiling, so instead of moving upwards, it spreads outwards in all directions.
“Smoke will find its way through gaps — from holes in walls and ceilings to cracks in floors and around doors.
“Therefore, it's imperative to prevent the passage of smoke between occupancies and high-risk areas of a building as much as possible.

“That's why we're so pleased with the 355A's new smoke rating.”

A reversible OEM dropseal, the 355A fits neatly into the inverted floor channel.

Made from anodised aluminium with double silicone extrusion, the fire and smoke-rated dropseal has a mortice mechanism that lifts the dropseal when the door is opened and seals the bottom of the door when closed, preventing the passage of toxic smoke.

The 355A dropseal is available in a wide range of sizes and can be ordered immediately from stock.

To find out more about dropseals from ZEROplus and their extensive range of fire door hardware, please visit ZEROplus.co.uk or call 01785 282 910.

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