Bespoke fire door

[Tom Sutton]

I receive the follow query to other day any comments.

I have a project that I am specifying bespoke doors that are 2.4m high. The doors need to be FD30.

I have been told that the doors will need to be tested to make sure they comply with BS. Who does the testing if they are a bespoke door design?

[Golden]

Tom, there are many test houses that would accommodate such a request but my only comment would be why 2.4m unless its a home for very tall people? In my experience fire doors this size are reliant on good hinge mechanisms or they soon become defective due to the weight of the door and cost a fortune in maintenance - I've seen many recently and this seems a bit of a trend for architects but they won't accept the fact that they often don't work in practice.

[kurnal]

You need the services of Aunty Lin at the Architectural and specialist door manufacturers  association- Google ASDMA - you will find their list of members who are used to doing this sort of thing.

[Tom Sutton]

Thanks Golden and Kurnal I did suggest a google search which came up with many candidates and using ASDMA as a filter seems a good idea. I also suggested using BS EN 1935: 2002: Building Hardware Single Axis Hinges to ensure the hinges were adequate and should compensate for the additional weight of the door.

[Auntie LIn]

Hi guys - long time no speak!

"bespoke" doors are probably already available from specialist manufacturers such as ASDMA members.   I can think of a number who will already be able to offer doors up to 3m high or out to perhaps 1200 wide - just depends on a variety of factors - too many people think bespoke means that you have to design it from scratch, which is when it needs to be tested and proven.

Issues such as how many hinges, what grade of hinge, other hardware etc. are all things that any responsible manufacturer who is covered by a third party certification scheme such as BM-TRADA or Certifire should provide their clients with details of what to add (or what they may add) to ensure that the doorset maintains its anticipated performance.

Of course, the client could always think about pre-empting the forthcoming European fire door product standard and ask for a doorset which has been tested in accordance with BS EN 1634-1 and covered by extended application of test results in accordance with BS EN 15269-3 (for timber doorsets).

Like the fact that you reckon ASDMAs a good filter!