Meeting the EN Standards for fire safety with fire doors
Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, a leading fire safety glass manufacturer, looks at how fire door manufacturers can make a smooth transition to meeting the new EN classifications.
“Fire doors are a vital part of any building’s fire safety strategy, yet their effectiveness is often underestimated. Far more than just a door leaf, a fire door is a carefully manufactured arrangement made up of multiple fire-resistant components, each tested and certified as part of an approved system.
Beyond preventing the spread of fire, fire doors are essential in providing occupants with the time needed to evacuate to safety. Proper installation, regular inspection and routine maintenance are essential to ensure they function effectively in an emergency.
It is also worth remembering that a building’s fire safety strategy should not focus on individual components in isolation but rather should take into account all fire protection elements as part of a larger, interconnected system. Ensuring that every element, from the fire doors and frames to the glazing, seals and even the surrounding walls, is properly specified, installed and maintained in line with regulatory standards is essential to achieving effective fire protection.
The move to EN classification
One of the key challenges the industry faces today is the shift towards stricter and more demanding testing requirements and safety standards.
The Government has announced that from September 2029, the national classification system for fire doors based on BS 476-22 testing will no longer be recognised for compliance with UK building regulations. Instead, fire doors must meet European fire testing standards, adhering to EN 13501-2 classifications, as the required method for demonstrating performance.
This change is part of a broader effort to improve building safety by establishing a more consistent and transparent fire regulatory framework. Part of this is to remove the two-system approach that allowed for both BS and EN test and assessment evidence to be used as proof of fire performance. It follows the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Hackitt Review, which highlighted the pressing need for stricter fire safety measures in buildings.
From September 2029, fire doors already installed in buildings when EN only standards take effect will remain fit for purpose but will be subject to inspection and maintenance. Moving forward, all new fire door systems must comply with EN classifications. Importantly up until this deadline BS 476-22 test evidence remains valid and referred to in Approved Document B.
The transition to European Standards poses significant challenges for the industry. EN standards require different testing protocols and approaches to assessing the performance of fire protection systems. For example, the methods used to measure temperatures in the furnace during fire tests differ. BS 476-22 uses unshielded thermocouples to monitor the furnace temperature, whereas EN 1634-1 uses shielded thermocouples, which are less responsive to changes in temperature, resulting in increased heating energy in the early stages of the test.
Developing, testing and certifying fire-rated products is a time-consuming process, so it is crucial for manufacturers to begin collaborating closely with fire safety glass manufacturers to prepare for this.
A fire safety glass solution: Pyroguard Advance
We have been proactively testing and securing certifications for Pyroguard Advance, our fire safety glass range launched last year, alongside fire door manufacturers to EN 1634-1 classifications.
It is the only UK-manufactured cuttable fire glass featuring an innovative gel interlayer, providing door manufacturers with a high-performance, fire-resistant and easy to install solution.
Certified for both steel and timber profiles, Pyroguard Advance delivers EI (integrity and radiant heat reduction) classification with 30 or 60 minutes of fire resistance, even at larger pane sizes. It is also a strong option for external applications such as composite doors as it is available with P1A EN 356 anti-attack counterpanes, offering both fire protection and enhanced security as requested by the building regulation Approved Document Q.
Addressing misconceptions about Georgian wired glass
A common misconception is that fire-rated glass must be the traditional Georgian wired variety often seen in public buildings. However, wired glass is not a good safety solution as the exposed wire can pose an injury risk in the event of breakage. With the introduction of EN standards in September 2029, much of wired glass historic test evidence will not comply in many cases, reinforcing the need for modern alternatives.
The move towards EN standards represents a concerted effort to strengthen construction protocols, requiring thorough testing and certification to meet the more stringent criteria. This should help to drive up standards, but also reinforces the need for a system approach to fire safety.”
For more information, please contact us.