Why Specifying the Correct Doorset is important
Correctly specified doorsets are important for fire fighter safety and means of escape.
“Only a purpose-built fire resisting door that has been tested to an approved standard will provide the necessary protection”
HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment
Sleeping Accommodation 2008
“..the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices ....for use by or protection of fire-fighters under this Order...are subject to a suitable system of maintenance ...and in good repair.”
Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRO)
Section 38(1)
The Gerda FDS Complete™ Range
The Gerda FDS Complete™ Range - Engineered Design
- In line with the RR(FS)O
- Designed for longevity
- Tested to fire standard BS476 Part 22 1987
- Sizes tailored to requirements including double doors and overhead panels / side panels
- Range of styles and finishes available
- Full maintenance packages
- Range of ONE HOUR AND HALF HOUR fire doorsets
The Gerda FDS Complete™ Range - Styles
Further styles are available. Please enquire for details.
Further styles are available. Please enquire for details
The Gerda FDS Complete™ Range - Finishes
Light Walnut
Light Mahogany
Golden Oak
Midnight Blue
Further finishes are available, including the choice of RAL colours. Please enquire for details.
FDS Complete™ Range Fire Test
GERDA Double Door undergoing one hour fire doorset test to BS476 part 22 1987 at Chiltern International Fire
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- The furnace is 9m² in size
- Peak Temperature is 950 °C.
- Smoke emanating is not from the fire side to the non-fire side but from charring on outside of beading.
- Carefully placed intumescent seals in the doorset design are activated to prevent the passage of smoke fumes and hot gases from the fire side to the non-fire side for over 60 minutes.
- The Gerda FDS Complete™ Doorset exceeded the British Standard requirement.
Approved standards & testing
All fire resisting doorsets are rated by their performance.
The level of protection is measured primarily by determining the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity of the door assembly together with its resistance to the passage of hot gases and flame.
The approved standard for Fire rated doorsets is BS476 part 22 1987 or EN1634-1 Classifications are FD30 and FD60 or E30/E60.
Upgrade versus replacement?
A fire doorset is comprised of many components – door leaf / door frame / hinges / door closer / seals etc. The important fact is how the end product operates effectively as a fire doorset.
Has it been tested as a complete assembly with door, frame and all component parts to a recognized standard?
LACoRS Housing – Fire Safety guidance states “the upgrading of non-fire resisting assemblies should be avoided wherever possible ..Replacement with suitable, purpose designed and tested doorset constructions is always preferable”.
If a doorset is being upgraded, there are several additional points to consider:
- The cost of supplementing a doorset with additional items to upgrade the doors?
- The cost of employing a suitable qualified joiner to upgrade the doors?
- The cost of obtaining a specific assessment by a suitably qualified person
- However – how do you know it will meet the requirements of a complete assembly which will prevent fire?
- What Peace of Mind for the Responsible Person?
How important is maintenance?
Are Vandals compromising your safety and making a criminal of you?
Specifying the correct doorset is only the beginning. The 'Responsible Person’ under the RR(FS)O is also responsible for ’Efficient working order’ & ‘good repair’.
If you have responsibility for dwellings / housing stock or you manage a building/s including workplaces, you are most likely responsible under the law for the fire safety of your premises.
You are also legally responsible for ensuring that the fire doors are correctly installed and that they are always in good repair and working properly.
Poor workmanship when the door is installed, general wear and tear in daily use and, sadly, deliberate vandalism or accidental damage will compromise the doors’ effectiveness and put people’s lives at risk, - and you will be the person held legally responsible.
So a vandal who damages your fire door could not only jeopardise the safety of the people using your premises, he could also put you at risk of prosecution for failure to comply with fire safety law. Therefore when chosing a fire doorset, it is important to consider the design.
Design features of the Gerda FDS Complete™ Range of FD60 / FD30 Fire Doorsets include:
- BS476 part 22 1987 successful testing as a complete doorset
- Doorset design to prevent against dangers of smoke
- Engineered design to combat vandalism
- Good installation – by manufacturer or qualified installers in line with manufacturer’s fitting instructions
- Adaptability in manufacturers design within test remit for building control
- Features to assist residents / employees
- A doorset design to minimize maintenance
- Maintenance programme – Gerda offer a comprehensive maintenance package to tailor to your needs (please enquire for further details)
See The Gerda FDS Complete™ Range - Engineered Design above.
This small selection of news articles below, highlight the need for a greater awareness in Fire Door Safety:
Landlords sentenced to six months imprisonment
Shell fined record sum for fire safety breaches
Successful prosecution following fire investigation
Property management company plead guilty to fire safety breaches
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact Gerda with any enquiry you have regarding our FDS Complete™ Range of Fire Doorsets or any of our other products.
For all Enguiries - Please click here.
Telephone: 0845 2009435 Fax: 0845 2009436