Your Guide with A&H Hargreaves
Nestled in the heart of Rossendale, Lancashire, we at A&H Hargreaves have been a cornerstone of craftsmanship in the joinery and carpentry industry for over 70 years. Now also specialising in the vital field of fire door services, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing not just products but solutions that ensure the safety and satisfaction of our clients. In this post, we will share essential knowledge about fire doors, the critical role they play in safety, the intricacies of UK legislation surrounding them, and how our services are tailored to meet these rigorous standards.
The Crucial Role of Fire Doors
At A&H Hargreaves, we understand that fire doors are much more than a regulatory requirement; they are a critical safety feature in any building. Designed to save lives and minimise property damage by containing fires and smoke, these doors give occupants valuable time to evacuate and the fire services the time needed to control the blaze. Fire doors are an integral part of a building’s passive fire protection system, engineered to withstand fire for a specified time, usually ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Navigating UK Legislation
In the UK, fire safety is governed by stringent regulations, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, with similar standards across Scotland and Northern Ireland. These laws require the installation of fire doors in various buildings, such as commercial, public, multi-occupancy residential properties, and in some particular circumstances also in private residential properties, to ensure a high level of protection against the spread of fire and smoke.
Compliance is not only a legal mandate but also a moral obligation, underscoring the responsibility we bear towards the occupants of any property. Thus, selecting the right fire door, ensuring its proper installation, and maintaining its integrity are paramount in meeting these regulations and safeguarding lives.
Our Heritage of Safety and Craftsmanship
For more than seven decades, our family-run business has been at the forefront of traditional craftsmanship, which we now combine with contemporary safety standards. Our expertise in manufacturing, installing, and maintaining wooden fire doors ensures that each product is not only robust but also complements the aesthetic of any space. Our services include:
Internal Fire Doors: Offering a blend of safety and design to meet both the requirements of your building Fire Strategy Plan and to match and enhance the aesthetics of your building.
Custom Fire Door Manufacturing: Tailoring solutions to match your specific needs without compromising on safety.
Professional Installation and Maintenance: Ensuring that your fire doors function optimally, from installation through to their ongoing maintenance.
Fire Door Inspections: Complete any remedial work to to guarantee compliance with safety standards following inspections or audits.
External Fire Door Exits: Offering a blend of safety and design to meet both the requirements of your building Fire Strategy Plan and to match and enhance the aesthetics of your building.
The Value of FIRAS Installer Certification
Our commitment to excellence is further underscored by our FIRAS Passive Fire Doors Installer certification. This prestigious accreditation, recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), is a testament to our adherence to the highest standards of passive and active fire protection. The FIRAS certification is not just a badge of honour; it’s your assurance of quality, reliability, and peace of mind, knowing that your safety is in capable hands. By selecting a FIRAS installer, you are ensuring that every part of the process linked to a fire door, from manufacture through to installation, is fully traceable and certified.
Members of the BWF
The British Woodworking Federation
At A&H Hargreaves, our commitment to excellence in fire door safety is amplified by our membership in the British Woodworking Federation (BWF). This prestigious affiliation marks us as part of an elite group committed to superior craftsmanship and safety in the woodworking and joinery industry. As expert joiners and woodworkers, our BWF membership reassures our clients of the high standards we maintain in the manufacturing and installation of wooden fire doors.
The BWF not only represents our dedication to quality and integrity but also ensures we are at the forefront of industry standards and innovations. This membership supports our mission to provide not just solutions, but guarantees of safety and excellence. When it comes to wooden fire doors, our expertise as BWF members means every door is crafted with precision, adhering to the strictest safety and quality guidelines.
Choosing A&H Hargreaves for your fire door solutions ensures that you benefit from decades of craftsmanship enhanced by the support and oversight of the British Woodworking Federation. This is your assurance that every fire door we install is not only functionally superior but also aesthetically pleasing and built to last.
The Fire Door Alliance
In addition to our membership in the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), it is essential to acknowledge the BWF Fire Door Alliance, a leading authority in fire door safety. While A&H Hargreaves is not a member of the Fire Door Alliance, we recognise its crucial role in promoting the importance of third-party certification of fire doors and fire doorsets across the UK.
The BWF Fire Door Alliance, operating under the BWF, ensures rigorous standards for fire door safety are met and maintained. Their commitment aligns with our own to uphold the highest safety standards in every project we undertake. Importantly, the Alliance has developed a useful resource known as the “5 Step Fire Door Check” to help property owners and managers ensure their fire doors will perform effectively in the event of a fire. This check includes:
- 1. Certification
Verify that the door has a label or plug indicating its certification. This mark confirms the door’s integrity as a genuine fire door.
- 2. Gaps
Ensure gaps around the door are less than 4mm when closed, with a bottom gap of up to 8mm, depending on the door, to prevent smoke and fire spread.
- 3. Seals
Inspect intumescent seals around the door and frame for any signs of damage, ensuring they are intact and capable of expanding under heat.
- 4. Hinges
Check that all hinges are firmly fixed with no missing or broken screws, ensuring the door remains securely attached and functional.
- 5. Closing Properly
Confirm that the door closes firmly onto the latch without obstruction, as a properly closing fire door is crucial for effective performance.
Make it Fire Door Safety Week every week! We encourage readers to utilise the “5 Step Fire Door Check” (you can download a PDF of the check list here) from the Fire Door Alliance as part of their routine safety inspections. For more detailed information and resources on fire door safety, the Fire Door Alliance website offers extensive insights and guidelines.
Why Choose A&H Hargreaves?
Opting for A&H Hargreaves for your fire door solutions means choosing a legacy of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. From the initial consultation to the completion of your project, our dedicated team is committed to providing personalised services that address your unique requirements. We will ensure that you meet the rigorous standards set by UK legislation, ensuring your property is not only visually appealing but, more importantly, safe.
In Summary
Fire doors are a vital component of your building’s safety strategy, and understanding their importance, alongside the necessary legislative requirements, is crucial. At A&H Hargreaves, we pride ourselves on delivering fire door solutions that embody over 70 years of excellence in craftsmanship and safety standards. We’re here to help with all aspects of your fire door safety needs.
For more information on our services or to discuss your fire door needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, let’s ensure the safety of your property.
Fire Door Safety Week
Fire Door Safety Week is a great reminder to go beyond the basics and make sure your fire doors are truly protecting your building. Our blog post looks at this in more detail, covering everything from hidden hazards like damaged seals and faulty closers to the importance of regular inspections and professional repairs. We also discuss the often-overlooked “human factor” and how education and awareness play a crucial role in fire safety. Whether you’re responsible for a school, office, or any other type of building, this article provides valuable insights to help you stay compliant and keep everyone safe. Read more here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Doors
What are the legal requirements for fire doors in the UK?
The law requires fire doors in various types of buildings, including commercial and multi-occupancy residential properties, as part of the Building Fire Strategy Plan. This document will outline all the requirements for the specification of each fire door in the building. You will also have a Fire Risk Assessment and a Fire Safety Audit that might highlight actions required to ensure the current fire doors meet the regulations.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
Much like any other element of passive fire protection, the ability of a fire door to function correctly during a fire is crucial. Even minor modifications to the door or its immediate environment can impact its effectiveness. Therefore, it’s vital to conduct regular inspections to verify that the fire door will operate as expected and meet its designed performance criteria in the event of a fire.
Inspections should occur at least semi-annually, although buildings that are newly occupied might need more frequent inspections in their first year. Additionally, fire doors that see heavy usage should undergo inspections more often than those less frequently used, possibly as regularly as weekly or monthly.
For buildings taller than 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 stipulate that the designated responsible person should make every effort to perform inspections on fire doors at the entrances to individual domestic units within the building annually. Inspections of fire doors in shared spaces must be carried out at least quarterly. These inspections are required to include checks on the doors’ self-closing mechanisms to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Can fire doors be tailored to fit the design of my property?
Absolutely! Our specialist certified manufacturers can produce a whole range of bespoke styles, including pre-finished wood veneer and a range of glazing options. All our fire doors meet the safety standards and are fully certified while complementing your property’s aesthetics.
Why is the FIRAS certification important for installing fire doors?
The FIRAS certification assures that the installation meets the highest standards of quality and compliance, providing you with peace of mind. By choosing a FIRAS-certified installer, you are assured that every part of the process, from materials selection to manufacture and installation, is fully certified.
Your safety is our top priority, and our expertise is at your service to ensure your fire door needs are met with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
To find out more about FIRAS certification, click here.