Selo core value number 3 is embrace change and it has never felt more important with the upcoming changes to the fire door and construction industry. These changes require investment into product development and education to gain a greater understanding but will steer the industry on the right path to greater protection from fire. It is important to embrace these changes and not wait until they are enforced.
Here are some changes the door industry needs to embrace.
Approved Document B National Standards and BS476-22
All national standards with regard to fire protection performance have been removed from building regulations, so all of the parts of BS476 for resistance to fire in Approved Document B have been removed. Only the EN standards can be used to define performance from the end of the 5-year coexistence period which is 2 September 2029.
Fire doors will not need to be tested to the EN standard until 2 September 2029 but by having a fire door tested to the EN standard, you can provide a safer fire door at your project. At Selo, we have embraced the change to try and be on the path to doing fire safety right. We recommend all projects specify doors tested to the EN standard before this date.
Second Stairwell Required in 18m+ High Residential Buildings
The second amendment to Approved Document B comes into force on 30 September 2026 where all 18m+ residential buildings will require a second staircase. This change has been recommended after Grenfell, where fireman was using the same stairs to go up as residents were using to go down and escape.
A second staircase means that buildings will have a second smoke shaft, where smoke control corridor dampers can be installed to prevent the spread of smoke in high-rise buildings.
The Journey
At Selo, we endeavour to be on the right path to the safest and most compliant fire solutions, which is why we invest so much into fire testing and product innovation
If you have any questions on the upcoming changes, the removal of BS476-22 from building regulations in England and Wales, or how to achieve a compliant fire door solution, then please contact us today.