ASSA ABLOY Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

As a pioneer manufacturer of high-performance sealing systems for fire doors – they have shown unwavering support for Fire Door Safety Week since its inception in 2013. Kicking off on marks a momentous 10 year anniversary of the campaign. Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) was launched in response to a legacy of fire door neglect. Know Fire Door Basics The campaign is managed by the British Woodworking Federation and is supported by a number of partners It's a ‘mass market’ awareness campaign to increase public understanding of the vital role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property in the event of a fire. The campaign is managed by the British Woodworking Federation and is supported by a number of partners, including the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign, the National Fire Chief’s Council and London Fire Brigade. FDSW draws attention to specific issues such as poor installation and maintenance and encourages building owners and users to check the operation and condition of their fire doors and to report those that aren’t satisfactory. Everyone plays their part in ensuring a fire door performs as it should in the tragic event of a fire, from the manufacturer through to the building users, and knowing what to look out for and what to do if you spot a problem might just save a life. Why are fire doors important? A fire door is a crucial part of the passive fire protection for every building A fire door is an engineered safety device that is a crucial part of the passive fire protection of every commercial, public and multiple occupancy building. A fire door acts just as any other door in normal service; however, in a fire it takes on a critical role – to save lives and protect property. It does this by holding back the spread of fire and smoke through a building for a designated period, giving time for building occupants to escape. Fire Door Safety Essentials A fire door is not just the door leaf. It is a complete assembly comprising the frame, any glazing, intumescent fire and smoke seals and all the ironmongery that is used on the door, such as hinges, overhead door closers, latches and locks. Just like other life safety devices, such as fire extinguishers and alarms, fire doors and final escape doors need regular, stringent inspection and maintenance to ensure that they will perform as intended in the event of a fire.

Lorient and ASSA ABLOY are excited to announce their debut at the UK’s fastest-growing fire safety exhibition, The Fire Safety Event 2025, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 8th to 10th April 2025. Located at stand 4/G30, together they will exhibit a complete range of fire door hardware and sealing system solutions. Spanning an impressive 84SQM, the stand will highlight the critical role of door hardware and intumescent sealing systems in fire safety, showcasing how these components safeguard lives and property. Experience Complete Fire Door Solutions Discover how Lorient and ASSA ABLOY are advancing fire safety with innovative fire door hardware and intumescent sealing systems. Fire Test Videos: Watch powerful footage of fire tests that demonstrate the life-saving importance of robust fire door solutions Interactive Displays: Explore hands-on zones showcasing real-world applications Innovative Technology: Learn about ASSA ABLOY’s award-winning Openings Studio® for fire door compliance and inspections. Featured Products Explore their rigorously tested fire door solutions: Fire, smoke and acoustic seals Automatic drop seals Intumescent air transfer grilles Glazing systems Door controls Panic and emergency exit hardware

Fire doors and intumescent seals are key components in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, saving lives, and protecting property. This CPD is designed to provide architects, specifiers, and building professionals with valuable insights into the specification and installation of these life-saving systems, ensuring compliance with the latest fire safety standards. Key Features of the CPD Detailed Fire Safety Data: A review of current statistics on deaths, injuries, and property damage caused by fire and smoke, highlighting the essential role of effective fire doors and its components. Comprehensive Understanding of Intumescent Seals: Exploration of how intumescent seals function, the importance of third-party certification, and the impact of ironmongery on fire door performance. Fire Testing and Standards in the UK: Detailed information on UK fire testing processes and fire/smoke leakage standards to ensure full regulatory compliance. Practical Solutions: Real-world product solutions that meet fire safety requirements, providing practical advice for professionals tasked with specifying fire-resistant products. Evolving fire safety challenges Lorient’s CPD is a timely resource for professionals across the construction and building industries Each seminar provides up-to-date insights into fire, smoke, and acoustic containment, covering the latest regulations, standards, and practical solutions. Attendees will benefit from Lorient’s extensive expertise, ensuring they stay ahead of evolving fire safety challenges. With fire safety regulations becoming more stringent, Lorient’s CPD is a timely resource for professionals across the construction and building industries. It provides a clear understanding of fire doors, intumescent seals, and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance and protection. Effective fire safety solutions “We are thrilled to introduce this RIBA-approved CPD, which emphasizes the crucial role of fire doors and intumescent seals in passive fire protection,” said Sarah Lewis,  Specifications Manager at Lorient. “Our goal is to empower professionals with the latest knowledge and tools needed to specify and install the most effective fire safety solutions.” How to access the CPD The new CPD is now available for booking through the Lorient & RIBA CPD websites, with both in-person and virtual options. Whether professionals require CPD certification or tailored presentations, Lorient offers accessible and practical learning opportunities.

Last year saw a 14 per cent increase in fires in England, according to UK Home Office statistics. And while around three million fire doors are installed in the UK every year, a lack of understanding during operation, maintenance and management of fire doors is still apparent. In this article, David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, will address this issue. Importance of fire doors Fire doors are often the first line of defense in a fire, yet even after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, fire door hardware remains a significant area of concern. In May 2018, an Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by dame Judith Hackitt, have been published. The review highlighted a range of issues, but the message stood clear, the UK’s current approach to fire safety in buildings is not functioning as intended and a new, holistic approach to fire safety is required. Review of fire inspections In all fire inspections, there is a responsibility from the building owner to include checks on the fire doors In all fire inspections, there is a responsibility from the building owner to include checks on the fire doors. However, there is no legal requirement for them to complete any recommended upgrades or repairs, or to prove that they have done so. This represents a major problem, as doors that do not perform to the required standard could compromise a building’s safety and put occupants at risk. Ultimately, this could lead to liability being assigned back to the building owner or facilities manager. Need to maintain fire safety standards Fire safety is only properly maintained if standards and checks are carried out throughout the lifecycle of the product and building. This is best addressed through regular inspection, maintenance and the replacement of products when required. A review by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme revealed the most common fire door faults, ranging from missing fire or smoke seals, to unsuitable hinges and damage to the door leaf itself. Any one of these issues can render a fire door useless and can seriously impede a door’s capability to protect people from harm. Door leaf and frame maintenance Fire door hardware is often not afforded the attention it requires and is left mismanaged throughout its service life. So what needs to be done to ensure fire door hardware is working as expected? Naturally, the door leaf should not be damaged, warped or twisted, and it is vital to ensure the fire door closes correctly around all parts of the frame, with no distortion between the stiles, top and frame. Gaps between the door and leaf must not be greater than those specified in the manufacturer’s installation instructions or fire certificate data sheet, typically around 3 to 4mm all the way round. Importance of door closers A door closer ensures a fire door returns to its fully closed position and the door seals correctly in the door frame A door closer ensures a fire door always returns to its fully closed position and makes sure that the door seals correctly in the door frame, when not in use. There are three steps to ensuring these components are working correctly. First, open the door fully and check that it closes without dragging across the floor. Next, open it to approximately 5-10 degrees and again check that it fully closes, engaging any latch or seal. Finally, check the door closing speed is approximately five seconds from a 90 degree angle, ensuring the door does not slam shut. Intumescent fire and smoke seals Fire and smoke seals should be in good condition, fit the full length of the door and be secure in the groove. If seals are badly fitted, damaged or painted, then they must be replaced with exactly the same size and intumescent material that was originally specified. If the smoke seals have to be replaced, then they should be fitted in one continuous length, if possible. To ensure hinges are in good condition, check for visible wear, dark marks or stains around the hinge knuckle that could indicate wear and impending failure. Hinges must be strong enough to carry the door mass, plus robust enough to work efficiently no matter the level of usage. The hinges should be firmly screwed into the door and frame, ensuring that the seals at the top and sides of the door are not damaged or missing at any time. Intumescent pads should also be used with hinges, as these are required for the door to get its appropriate fire rating. Locks and lever handles To measure a handle’s condition, one needs to ensure the lock lever fully returns to a horizontal position after use Wiping any metal dust deposits off the handles will help ensure that the latch-bolt is engaging smoothly and completely into the keep during use. To measure a handle’s condition, one needs to ensure the lock lever fully returns to a horizontal position after use. If it does not, the lever may, at best, need adjusting or lubricating. At worst, it may need replacing, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Again, ensure the lock case is protected by intumescent material. Maintaining record of fire door inspection No matter the component, a record of inspection and maintenance should be kept for all door hardware. Furthermore, those responsible for ensuring the fire safety of a site should encourage others to report any issues with any of the door components. Faults should be fixed as soon as possible, using the correct and fire-rated components. To check the compatibility of components, always consult the fire certificate data sheet or contact the manufacturer.

Welcome to our Expert Panel Roundtable, a new feature of TheBigRedGuide.com. We will be asking timely questions about the fire market and seeking out experts in the field to provide responses. Our goal is to promote a useful exchange of information on a variety of topics and to create a forum for discussion of important issues facing the fire service and market. For our first question, we look to the year ahead and ask our panelists: What trends are likely to change the fire market in 2020?