The Government has confirmed that from September 2029, the National system for the classification of fire doors based on testing to BS 476-22 will no longer be accepted as a method of demonstrating compliance with the building regulations in England. This leaves only the European system based on BS EN 13501-2 classifications as the acceptable way of demonstrating performance.
This change has understandably prompted questions from those responsible for specifying and maintaining fire doors. In this article I hope to allay any concerns they might have and confirm that:
Here I unpack the Government announcement, provide much needed clarity on what the changes mean for fire safety professionals and the action needed to be taken now.
What prompted the change?
The Government’s decision to adopt a single classification system aligns with the recommendations of the Hackitt Report, which called for greater consistency and transparency in building safety. Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, scrutiny of fire testing intensified, particularly testing concerning reaction-to-fire performance of external insulation and cladding. It is important to note that fire doors tested for fire resistance in accordance with British Standard BS 476-22 were found to meet the required safety criteria, with no concerns raised about their performance.
That said, there have been instances where composite fire doors, which claimed compliance with BS 476-22, were later found to provide only 20 minutes of fire resistance and not the required 30 minutes. This consequently led to MHCLG’s investigation into the reliability of fire doors.
In turn, this has caused concerns about fire door reliability being wrapped into broader issues and the overall transition to European Standards – resulting in some confusion.
Why we are reassuring the fire door supply chain
Government testing by MHCLG following the Grenfell Tower fire, confirmed that timber fire doors performed consistently, passing the 30-minute fire resistance test in both directions. In fact, for BWF members whose products were included in the investigation, test results exceeded the required 30-minute threshold, with fire resistance times averaging 46 minutes.
This robust evidence reinforces the reliability of timber fire doors tested to the British Standard and should provide reassurance and instil confidence for the fire safety sector and our customers.
The National classification system for fire doors will remain in place alongside the European classification system until September 2029 so it’s vital that we continue to highlight to industry how products tested to British Standards remain compliant and effective.
Supporting specifiers through the transition
At the BWF and BWF Fire Door Alliance, we are continuing to help the fire door sector navigate the transition while working with industry stakeholders and partners to provide clarity, guidance and reassurance during this period. We are also involved with the relevant regulatory bodies, including the National Standards Body (BSI) and the European Standards Body (CEN), to shape the future standards so that they maintain the highest levels of safety and reliability.
Through an proactive media and communications programme and collaboration with other actors in the fire door industry, we aim to keep stakeholders throughout the fire door supply chain informed while reinforcing confidence in existing British Standard-tested fire doors.
Preparing for the transition
To prepare for the upcoming transition it’s vital to understand the nuances between the two fire door testing standards. There are similarities, for example both use the same time temperature curve from ISO 834-1 to control the temperature within the furnace, however there are areas where the fire resistance tests differ:
By understanding the similarities and differences between the two standards, we can support those responsible for fire doors through this transition.
What’s next?
Although the Government has set September 2029 as the target for transitioning to the European classification system for fire doors, it is important that we recognise that other regulatory changes could still affect the timeline.
For example, the European Commission may request new product standards for fire doors under the new EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) which could be introduced before September 2029. If the UK decides to align with these standards, this could further influence the transition.
In addition, the Government has accepted all 58 recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry Phase Two report which included proposals for a single construction regulator, products regulation reform, and additional measures for products classified as ‘critical to safe construction’. These reforms may influence the transition to the European system for fire door classification. In particular, we welcome the proposal that all products are to feature clear, accessible and accurate product identification, which is a mandate of the BWF Fire Door Alliance and previously BWF Certifier. Fire doors manufactured by BWF Fire Door Alliance members are clearly labelled or plugged, providing the right information to a wide range of users, from construction professionals to everyday consumers.
Collaboration is key, so the BWF, the Architectural & Specialist Door Manufacturers (ASDMA) and the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) are working together to help our members prepare for the transition and support the wider construction sector through the upcoming changes. At this stage, it is important to stress that there is no need to replace fit-for-purpose fire doors that comply with the British Standard.
Advice from across the fire door supply chain
Ian Makins, Chair ASDMA commented:
“ASDMA is very much standing with the BWF in its call for honesty concerning the BS 476-22 fire resistance test method. BS 476-22 has served UK fire safety very well and continues to do so. There has never been any technical reason to question results from the test, and no concerns about its ability to determine good fire resistance performance of fire doors. BS 476-22 underpins many millions of fire doors currently in use in buildings across the UK, and the MHCLG test programme of example timber fire doors found no reason to raise any concerns.”
Michael Skelding, General Manager and Secretary at DHF commented,
“At DHF, we fully support the BWF and remain committed to helping our members through this transition ensuring that fire doorsets meet the safety standards. We will work closely with industry partners and stakeholders to provide guidance and training throughout this change, ensuring clarity and compliance. Importantly, there is no need to replace existing fire doorsets that are fit-for-purpose and compliant with current British Standards.”