Fire doors body becomes part of the wider fire safety debate

Published by Liz Male for British Woodworking Federation in Housing and also in Health, Local Government

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme has joined the Fire Sector Federation (FSF), a newly formed organisation which will act as a forum for the discussion of fire-related issues.

As active expert participants in the wider fire safety debate, BWF-CERTIFIRE is also exhibiting at the Fire Sector Summit (23-24 October, Wembley Stadium), alongside the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.

Visitors to stand 17 will receive a free gap tester – an innovative, pocket-sized tool designed to help housing maintenance teams test very quickly and easily the status and condition of a building’s fire doors.

John Fletcher, BWF-CERTIFIRE scheme manager, said:

“We have always delivered a clear message around the value of third party certified fire doors. By joining the Fire Sector Federation, we can ensure that our lobbying activities support the broader fire safety debate while making sure the specifics covering fire doors are understood by all.”

Originally established in July 2010 in response to the Fire Futures review, the FSF aims to shape the future direction of fire and rescue services in England. FSF Chairman Brian Robinson says:

“The Fire Sector Federation aims to work in partnership to develop policy by providing a broad spectrum of opinion from the fire sector, releasing views and advice on behalf of the unified sector. It welcomes input from all of its members and I am sure the BWF’s specialist knowledge, experience and skills will enable it to make a valid contribution to the Federation’s work to improve the UK’s national preparedness, resilience, response, mitigation and recovery from fire.”

The leading authority on fire door safety, the BWF-CERTIFIRE scheme aims to improve the standard of fire doors sold in the UK. John Fletcher says:

“Internal fire doors are often misunderstood, misused or poorly maintained. The popular BWF-CERTIFIRE fact cards provide specifiers and clients with all the real facts about fire doors and their components, and their crucial role in saving lives and property. Our gap testers also make it extremely easy to check whether a fire door has the required 3mm gaps all around the door. A handy mirror attachment also helps you check for certification labels on the top door edge.

“Beyond this basic check, all fire doors should be regularly inspected by a competent person to ensure they function properly and will work correctly in the event of a fire. It is exactly the same as testing the battery of a smoke alarm, or reviewing the state of your fire extinguishers. Periodic checks should be carried out at least once every six months. Newly occupied buildings may require more frequent checks in the first year of use, and where a door is heavily used, it should be checked every three months. This is where the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) comes in.”

For further facts on fire doors and fire door certification, and to collect your free gap tester, visit stand 17 or go to www.bwfcertifire.org.uk.