Latest innovations and products in the Fire, Security and Safety sections of the construction industry.

The benefits of dual-certificated fire doorsets

Architects and specifiers selecting fire doors for residential buildings need to be confident that they will perform as they should. That is where third-party certification makes a difference.

Door-Stop International has launched its new Fire and Security Dual-Certificated Doorset; a timber core product with GRP facings that is third-party certificated using a robust base of primary test evidence as the foundation for certification.

 

Full traceability of all doorset components

Door-Stop operate a strict, digital, factory production control system designed to provide complete control and traceability. These processes are regularly audited by independent, UKAS accredited auditors.

Specifiers, building owners and residents can easily access the key features of the specification and associated certification. A unique label is applied to each doorset that aids traceability of the product.

 

Door-Stop makes what it burns

Door-Stop only undertake fire tests on products that are manufactured under witness and verification of an independent third-party.  It means the design specified has been inspected and documented, not a ‘golden sample’ that has been engineered just to pass the test.

The Door-Stop dual-certificated doorset is accredited by the Warringtonfire Certifire scheme to demonstrate fire credentials and by Certisecure for its security performance. This product range is also recognised by Secured by Design as dual certificated.

 

Multiple tests that make up primary test evidence

Primary test evidence refers to when a fire door has been tested as part of a complete doorset.

Door-Stop includes a list of the test reports used to create the certification scope, and all stakeholders can access the summary test evidence and certification for complete transparency.

Its fire doorsets are tested multiple times across a variety of components and configurations, and goes beyond minimum standard benchmarks including:

  • Robust testing regimes: The Door-Stop product range is tested in multiple configurations to really understand the extremes of performance and address potential variability in results. This test evidence supports the specification that is provided by certification.

 

  • Lineal gap sealing: tested with two different methods of lineal gap sealing – a compressible, expansion joint seal which acts as a fire barrier – in order to prove installed performance. Based on those tests, a number of alternative systems are approved for use by Certifire.

By testing in this way, variability is accounted for within the process, which provides additional assurances in the results.

This primary test evidence forms the basis of the certification and demonstrates that the pass was not a ‘one-off’.

 

Golden Thread

Door-Stop’s digital ‘Critical to Safety’ production control process records the specification and adds traceability of every doorset to offer reassurance that the every doorset meets specification. This creates a golden thread of information that aids traceability for all stakeholders in the chain.

 

Technical support at every stage
Door-Stop’s online product configurator tool helps architects and specifiers to tailor the doorset to the required specification. This is a critical control point as orders can only be made when doorsets comply with a specification that is compatible with the certification.

Detailed instructions and resources are provided to ensure that doorsets can be installed in line with the certification. Competent installation means the doorset should perform as designed, and assists installers and building owners in meeting their legal responsibilities to ensure the safety of residents.

 

www.masonite.co.uk/firedoorsets

 

 

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Fire Protection Advice for Construction

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NBS AND ASFP ANNOUNCE SAFETY-BASED COLLABORATION

Today, NBS, a leading specification and product information platform for the construction industry, has entered into a new partnership agreement with the ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection), the UK’s leading association for the passive fire protection sector.

The partnership aims to assist with peer review and ensure the accuracy and quality of specifications relating to passive fire protection. It allows NBS to publish references to and extracts from ASFP Technical Guidance in NBS products and services, and to provide ASFP with extracts of NBS content for peer review.

The move will result in improved support to architects, designers and specifiers in developing specifications for passive fire protection products and systems. It ensures they will have access to appropriate high-quality guidance and technical content, helping them to produce accurate and structured specifications. It will also assist passive fire protection manufacturers to provide product information and technical data in an appropriate and structured format.

Commenting on the partnership, ASFP CEO, Steve Davies, said: “One of the ASFP’s key aims is to raise the standards and improve the quality of passive fire protection products and installations. This new partnership with NBS offers us the opportunity to influence the way in which passive fire protection products are specified and to improve understanding throughout the construction sector of the properties and performance of these key life safety products.

“We look forward to working with NBS to raise awareness so that passive fire protection will be considered much earlier in the construction process. By sharing our technical expertise and best practice guidance we hope to promote the correct design, specification and installation of passive fire protection products and systems.”

Richard Waterhouse from NBS, said: “Fire safety has never been more important, and the ASFP bring a wealth of knowledge that’s unmatched in the industry. Having them on board will no doubt prove invaluable to our users when looking to specify passive fire protection products. Equally, this will be hugely beneficial to manufacturers who are looking to provide the very best standard of data and in a format that architects and specifiers can easily obtain.

“As specialists in their field, ASFP are the leading authority on passive fire protection and the design and installation of passive fire protection products, so we’re thrilled to be announcing this partnership. We’re also keen to share with ASFP members how NBS software can help protect against risk through our digitally collaborative specification writing platform.”

Commenting on the partnership, Sascia Elliott, Head of Partnerships at NBS, said: “Similar to the NBS ethos, end-user safety is at the heart of what ASFP do. The need for further expertise and guidance on this matter has never been more relevant and we’re looking forward to introducing this knowledge into the NBS platform as soon as possible.”

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Innovative cladding fire detection system undergoes testing

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A cladding fire detection system that could offer a lifeline to thousands affected by the UK’s cladding crisis is undergoing a critical period of testing with one of the UK’s leading testing bodies, the Fire Protection Association.

Intelliclad, created by Darron Brough and Mohammed Zulfiquar, believe that their sensor, which would be retrofitted to integrate into the cladding system of high-risk buildings, can provide a smarter, faster and more cost efficient method of monitoring fire safety when compared to the controversial Waking Watch.

Darron and son Ryan Brough bring decades of experience in the façade industry with a focus on safe aluminium cladding to the project, while Mohammed Zulfiquar, owner and founder of Datatecnics Corporation, has 30 years experience in computer science and nanotechnology.

Each sensor is connected to a control system that, in the event of a fire, can uniquely send an alert to all residents via a smartphone app.

This gives residents and the fire service valuable information on the location and relative spread of fire across the building throughout the incident in real time.

The system is currently undergoing final testing at the Fire Protection Association’s headquarters in Moreton-in-Marsh after three years and around £500,000 of research and development investment.

Intelliclad Managing Director, Darron Brough, said: “We started this intelliclad journey because we wanted to put our expertise to good use to try and help those who are suffering with mental health issues, crippling bills and concerns for their safety as a result of living in an unsafe building.

“Our system offers a smarter and faster alternative to the Waking Watch – we want to give residents a greater peace of mind and greatly reduce the cost of safety which they should be entitled to.

“From our perspective, testing with the Fire Protection Association has been a huge success and we await confirmation of these results over the coming weeks as data is analysed, which we believe will allow us to move forward and start to really help people.”

There is much controversy surrounding Waking Watch, which has recently been labelled a ‘national scandal’ by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick, who criticised the cost for the service, averaging up to £499 per dwelling per month often passed on directly to residents, as a ‘rip-off’.

A number of stories have also appeared in recent months highlighting a lack of fire safety training for Waking Watch staff, as well as instances where they have fallen asleep or been caught watching tv, putting residents lives at risk.

Mr Brough said: “We have put our heart and soul into this project for the last three years and we are well aware of just how important an issue this is right now.

“From the impact on residents’ mental health, to the very real threat of loss of life as a result of dangerous cladding, we want to do our part to end this scandal and help those affected move forward.”

 

For more information, contact info@intelliclad.co.uk

 

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CHANGES TO FIRE SAFETY WELCOME BUT NOT ENOUGH

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The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) welcomes the changes to Fire Safety : Approved Document B (ADB) which come into force today, 26th November 2020

However we do question does the measure go far enough?

The changes with regard to the mandatory installation of automatic fire sprinklers in England, affect new build, material alteration, material change of use and extensions. The main points being

The height threshold for the provision of sprinklers is reduced from 30m down to 11m.

BS9251 or BS EN 12845 continue to be recommended for sprinkler system installations in flats.

There will be no recommendation for sprinklers to be provided in common areas when these are fire sterile (lacking in combustible materials.)

The new provisions will apply to extensions so that sprinkler protection and wayfinding signage will be necessary in any newly formed accommodation in buildings with a floor 11m or more above ground level.

BAFSA questions whether the requirement should have been extended to all new built flats, no matter the height. Evidence has shown that automatic fire sprinklers protect residents of flats from fire, they limit fire spread protecting means of escape for residents, they also protect Firefighters who attend such fires.

It is also a proven fact that automatic fire sprinklers reduce property and contents damage from fire by extinguishing or controlling the fire in its early stages.

This evidence applies equally to flats below 11 metres as well as those above that height, perhaps an opportunity missed?

 

However, this legislation will help to protect both the lives of future occupants and also help to preserve much needed accommodation for our growing population.

BAFSA is dedicated to making sure that sprinkler systems are installed to the highest professional standards. When properly installed by competent contractors, automatic fire sprinkler systems have a well proven track record for reliability and effectiveness; and BAFSA prides itself that all installer members must be certificated by one of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service’s approved third party certification schemes.

 

BAFSA

 

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FIRE SAFETY FOR MEDICAL FACILITY

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The roof space to an existing commercial property in the North-West of England has been given the added protection of having its very large roof-space sub-divided using the APOLLO Lite 30:30 system manufactured by TBA FIREFLYTM.

The work within the 30 year old Spa Medica building near Preston was carried out by Northamptonshire based DC Fire Protection Ltd., a long term customer of TBA FIREFLYTM, after the manufacturer had been asked to survey the structure and provide a suitable specification for upgrading the fire performance of the roof. The APOLLO Lite 30:30 was recommended because it has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering 30 minutes’ integrity and insulation, thereby exceeding the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations.

 

 

The non-rigid woven material is easy to cut and fix and is chemically treated to improve its cooling properties, and therefore prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas. The system has been fully tested to BS 476 Parts 6.7, 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFCC. The six metres long rolls of APOLLO Lite 30:30 have a minimum thickness of 6mm and are installed using special staples as well as heat resistant adhesive.

Director of DC Fire Protection Ltd., Craig Tyrrell, commented: “We carried out the project at Preston for the client in full accordance with TBA’s specification and installation instructions: in this instance wrapping the fabric around the timbers in order to protect them although we will sometimes drop a barrier down both sides of the timber framework and secure them to it.”

“Over a period of a week and a half our two man team erected a total of a dozen fire barriers within the pitched roof space. It all went to schedule and not only meets the needs of this particular property, but exceeds the requirements of the Building Regulations. We have established a very good relationship with TBA over a period of 20 years and always try to utilise their products where the scope of the work permits.”

On some projects, where DC Fire Protection has been consulted or invited to tender on the basis of its outstanding reputation in the industry, it will seek the assistance of TBA FIREFLY’s technical sales team for design guidance, assisting with site surveys or even inspections. This can lead to the use of other products from the manufacturer’s range, including TITAN Lite, PHOENIX and ZEUS: all offering industry leading performance and reliability.

Specifiers seeking to learn more about the TBA FIREFLYTM range of fire barriers can visit the website.

www.tbafirefly.com

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Security an ‘afterthought’ in pedestrianisation drive warn architects

Half of architects concerned at new vulnerability

New research has found that nearly half (49%) of urban design professionals believe that the recent rise of pedestrianisation in city and town centres is making public spaces more vulnerable to attack.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on urban economies, with local authorities left in the novel position of needing to find ways to encourage people back into city centres.

Temporary pedestrianisation of key locations has suddenly become commonplace as a result, offering an effective means of facilitating social distancing and increasing outdoor seating capacity for struggling bars and restaurants.

However, the survey of leading architects, planners and specifiers by ATG Access revealed that many are concerned about the potential security risks of widespread pedestrianisation.

Without the appropriate security solutions in place, large numbers of pedestrians gathered in a confined area greatly increases the threat of vehicle-as-a-weapon attacks.

In response to this increased security threat, nearly a third (30%) of those surveyed said that investing in temporary security measures that can be installed and removed as needed will be essential to ensure the ongoing safety of civilians.

Iain Moran, director at ATG Access, commented: “While pedestrianisation offers real benefits for businesses and consumers at this difficult time, we must ensure that the right security solutions are in place to avoid putting people in unnecessary danger.

“It is clear that in some cases security could have been sacrificed for social distancing and designers are seriously concerned that security has become an afterthought.

“Temporary, surface-mounted security barriers offer a flexible, comprehensive security solution that can easily be adapted without the need for any construction work, making them invaluable in the current situation.”

The research also found that many urban design professionals believe there is now a clear need for public spaces that can be easily adapted to respond to our changing needs, including security measures that can be replaced or upgraded whenever necessary. According to 43% of those surveyed, this will be the key to futureproofing our cities going forward.

However, historically this has proved a challenge, with 32% suggesting that retrofitting security solutions into existing developments is one of the biggest design challenges they face.

Iain Moran, director at ATG Access, added: “The pandemic has really brought to light the volatile nature of our relationship with our urban environments, with both the needs of the public and the security risks they face subject to change with very little warning.”

“When it comes to redesigning public spaces, it can prove difficult to retrofit security solutions without causing disruption to the surrounding area. Previously, impact-tested security products have required deep foundations, which means a lengthy, obtrusive installation process.

“Fortunately, security technology has improved dramatically in recent years, and there are now many options available that can overcome these challenges. In addition to temporary products, permanent shallow mount bollards can now require a foundation depth of just 112mm, and as a result are far quicker to install with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.”

For more information, visit https://www.atgaccess.com/urban-design-white-paper

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SYSTEMGLAS® optimises aesthetics, daylight and fire safety in exclusive Notting Hill renovation

A comprehensive project to refurbish an open plan, first floor kitchen and dining space within a luxury Victorian residential property in Notting Hill has utilised the Promat SYSTEMGLAS® Celare fire resistant glazing system to balance outstanding aesthetics with assured passive fire protection.

An elegant floor-to-ceiling glazing element with a butt-jointed corner, specified with a 30-minute (EI30) fire rating, was an integral part of the design in the renovation project, allowing for a high level of natural light to be introduced into a stairway and downstairs hallway via the kitchen. With its fire resistant PROMATECT® H framing set into the surrounding floor, walls and ceiling to give a frameless effect, SYSTEMGLAS® Celare enabled the architect to achieve the dual aesthetic and performance goals and deliver client peace of mind.

Ideal for contemporary interiors where uncompromising fire safety is required, SYSTEMGLAS® Celare maximises the potential for natural light transmission. It is designed, manufactured, and processed by Promat UK at its ISO 9001 (2015) and ISO 14001 (2015) registered factories and installed only by Promat approved installers. This enables Promat UK to offer a certificate of compliance on completion to give architects and clients a 360 degree ‘wheel of assurance’ in respect of the fire performance, with complete supply chain traceability, should the worst happen.

Ian Cowley, Regional Director (UK and Scandinavia) at Promat says: “This refurbishment project in Notting Hill is a fantastic development with a high-quality interior an open plan layout, due to a visionary approach by the architects and owner. We are delighted that SYSTEMGLAS® Celare has been selected, due to its ‘virtually frameless’ appearance that complements the modern luxurious interior along with maximum assurance of fire protection with the SYSTEMGLAS® 360° Wheel of Assurance.”

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Celare is one of four solutions available in the SYSTEMGLAS® range, with the other options being the steel framed Ferro, the timber framed Ligna and Advenerat, which also utilises PROMATECT® H to provide a paintable frame or one that can be over-clad. These systems provide dependable fire protection in all kinds of glazing applications from EI30 to EI120.

Detailed specification guidance is available in the newly updated SYSTEMGLAS® Specifiers Guide, which can be downloaded at www.promat-glass.co.uk

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New Fire Resistant Door Hardware Protection brochure from Lorient

Lorient, a respected designer and manufacturer of sealing systems for door assemblies has launched a comprehensively revised brochure featuring its Fire Resistant Door Hardware Protection products.

Ironmongery is a vital part of a fire door. However, every time a fire door is cut to fit ironmongery, a weakness is created. This could mean three or four weak points in a door, where fire can take hold. Adding intumescent door hardware kits protects those weak points. Lorient kits are made from intumescent sheet, which is wrapped around each piece of ironmongery such as hinges, locks and latches, door viewers and concealed closers, acting as an insulator. Tested with a range of ironmongery, Lorient kits are supplied pre-cut to the exact dimensions, for quick and easy installation.

With a fresh contemporary look, the brochure comprises Lorient’s largest selection of door hardware and hardware protection to date; which includes fire, smoke & security letterplates, door edge protectors, door viewers and intumescent protection kits. New additions include flush bolt, drop seal and bespoke protection kits; plus enhanced test evidence for a number of products.

To download your copy of the Fire Resistant Door Hardware Protection brochure – please visit www.lorientuk.com.

 

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Fresh ideas for Interior Doors in 2020

As a new decade commences, professionals everywhere are seeking fresh inspiration for interiors, whether for commercial spaces or residential living. 

This desire for innovative performance and trend-setting designs is most notable when it comes to interior doors, whose influence upon a room can have a marked effect on the surrounding décor, lifting and invigorating adjacent space. Bringing clarity to this process is Vicaima, who have just launched their 2020 Interior Door Selector. Packed with ideas this brochure is an essential tool for every specifier.
Now an annual and eagerly anticipated event, the 2020 edition of the Vicaima Interior Door Selector has over 100 pages filled with doors and doorsets that suit a multitude of applications, tastes and budgets.  Its simple to navigate layout has been designed to make the selection process straightforward, with at a glance guides to form, function and fire, or indeed other desired performance criteria.  Every range also shows a simple Price Indicator, allowing easy comparison between potential options for that perfect specification.
New for 2020, Vicaima have introduced some pioneering products that are certain to gain wide appeal.  These include: Primed 2 Go, a revolutionary, polymer faced door for painting that requires no surface sanding or priming, saving time and money on site. Deep Textured Finish, creating the authentic touch of an open grain in a matt finish that can be applied to a selection of veneered and stained veneered doors
An extension to the Visual Sensation foil door range, introducing 4 new matt finishes and new horizontal grain options in both the Naturdor Stained and Dekordor SD Foil ranges.

Naturally, at Vicaima it’s not just about great design and trend setting aesthetics.  As specialists in performance products, Vicaima set the benchmark for fire certification, coupled with security and acoustic solutions.  With a growing market awareness of the needs of providing peace of mind when it comes to fire safety, specifiers gain confidence from a supplier like Vicaima, who achieved 54 minutes during recent MHCLG testing of their 30-minute door assemblies.  This coupled with Secure By Design approval and FSC environmental certification, makes Vicaima the obvious choice for demanding locations.

Download a copy of the 2020 Interior Door Selector today by visiting the Vicaima website.   Alternatively call 01793 532333 for further inspiration.

www.vicaima.com

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Architectural Continuous Hinges by Cooke Brothers

The Phoenix Interleaf hinge uniquely combines the strength of continuous fixing points along the entire length of the door, with the benefit of anti-finger trapping on the knuckle side. Coupled with an aesthetically stylish and streamlined sightline, Phoenix Continuous hinges are designed to enhance and compliment the visual appearance of any door set. Sitting directly on the door and frame creating the necessary 3mm gap, allowing for the fixing of an intumescent strip for fire doors. Compatible with 44mm and 54mm thicknesses, timber and steel door sets.

A reduced ligature option is available where self-harm is possible. Its unique design provides strong and robust hinging solutions whilst maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design. By utilising the purpose made end caps the risk of creating a ligature point is reduced. Tested to BSEN 1935 Grade 14 (160kg) and CE marked.

T: +44 (0) 1922 740001     E: sales@cookebrothers.co.uk     W: www.cookebrothers.co.uk

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