Best Practice Blog
The handover stage is a critical moment in fire safety for UK facilities. Providing accurate information at this stage is essential for ensuring an effective ongoing inspection and maintenance regime, as well as maintaining the certified status of fire doors. In this best practice blog, we look at the information that should be handed over to achieve regulatory compliance and close the (fire) door on existing bad practice.
Introduction
This blog provides best practices for the accurate transfer of information during the handover stage of fire door projects in UK facilities. It highlights the importance of correct handover information in maintaining fire safety and ensuring ongoing compliance and performance of fire doors throughout their lifecycle.
The Importance of Correct Handover Information
Correct handover information plays a vital role in maintaining the as-tested specification of fire doors, which is crucial in ensuring ongoing compliance and performance inline with their originally as-tested and as-manufactured performance specification. Without the appropriate information, facilities are at risk of fitting non-compatible components, leading to ineffective inspection and maintenance regimes, invalidation of fire door certification, and increased risk to building occupants and the emergency services in the event of a fire.
Information to Include in the Handover
The following information should be included in handover process to ensure that fire doors maintain their as tested performance characteristics throughout their lifecycle:
Fire test evidence: This should include primary test reports, global fire resistance assessment or field of application reports, and other documentation related to the fire door's performance.
Ironmongery schedule/specification: This should list all components used, including hinges, locks, latches, door closers, threshold seals, part numbers, and test standards.
Fire door manufacturing specifications: This should include details such as the door leaf, lipping and frame construction, the door core used, intumescent seals, mortice protection, and smoke seals used.
Glazing system specifications: This should provide details on the type of glass used, edge cover clearance, beading shape, size, and type, fixing method, and any sealing system.
Door schedule: This should list all the doors in the building, including their location, function, configuration, fire resistance rating, signage, and door numbers that correspond with fire compartmentation plans.
Fire compartmentation/strategy floor plan: This should provide a clear layout of the building's fire compartmentation and indicate the placement of fire doors, along with their door numbers and fire and smoke classifications.
Competency records: This should comprise training records or third-party certification scheme certificates, demonstrating that those involved possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the work competently, in compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Evidence of compliant installation: This should include a report containing photographic evidence of the linear joint sealing methods and the test performance of any relevant materials used.
It is advised that all handover information is readily accessible in a digital format to all key stakeholders. By following these best practices, facilities can ensure effective ongoing fire door inspection and maintenance regimes, ultimately enhancing the overall fire safety of buildings.
Conclusion
Correct handover information is critical in maintaining the as-tested specification of fire
doors and ensuring ongoing compliance and performance. Facilities should only accept
comprehensive information in the handover documentation, including fire test evidence,
ironmongery specification, fire door manufacturing specifications, glazing system
specifications, door schedule and fire compartmentation plans. Additionally, photographic
evidence and supporting documentation of the competency of individuals and businesses
involved in the installation should be included. All handover information should be readily
accessible in a digital format to all key stakeholders. By following these best practices,
facilities can ensure effective fire door inspection and maintenance regimes, ultimately
enhancing the overall fire safety of buildings.
For further information on the importance of digital information see our blog on BS 8644-1:2022
For further information on how FD Fire help achieve all the above see IVV From FD Fire Door
FD Fire Door is an independent #accredited #certified #firedoorinspection, #consultancy, and #compliance provider. IVV is a digital service offered by FD Fire Door to ensure handover #conformity is achieved.