Nov 17 2006
The recently launched Code of Practice covering hardware for fire and escape doors, produced by the Door and Hardware Federation and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, is now available online.
Specifiers, building owners and all those responsible for fire safety in buildings can now use the fully-interactive guide by visiting its own dedicated website, www.firecode.org.uk .
The Code offers focussed, professional advice on relevant products and standards to help and guide everyone concerned with fire safety in industrial and commercial buildings, regardless of the amount of knowledge they have of door hardware.
It has been specifically designed to be simple, straightforward and jargon-free. The new Code is already proving its use for specifiers and industry insiders since it gives clear and unambiguous guidance on all of the relevant standards and procedures that are current today.
The reason for making the guide available on its own website is that it will be updated regularly as new regulations come into play, so users have the confidence they are looking at the very latest version.
The new Code of Practice is a must-read document for building owners in particular because they are mindful of the RRO (Regulatory Reform Order) which is now in effect. This places responsibility for maintaining passive and active fire protection firmly with the building owners.
With this audience in mind, the Code has been designed to be as practical and user-friendly as possible. There are dozens of colour photographs and drawings, many of them showing approved hardware to make identification easy for the whole construction industry. It identifies the main issues affecting products’ fire safety when they are fitted to doors, helping users to make informed decisions on the suitability of existing products or their proposed replacements. In addition, it identifies the documentation required to show that the product is suitable for its application, proving that all parties have exercised due diligence in fulfilling their duty of care.
The Code’s maintenance section is bound to become a highly sought-after part of the Code since it offers a wealth of useful advice on ensuring continuous fire door and escape route safety in buildings which will be especially useful to building owners as the new RRO comes into effect.
The Door and Hardware Federation represents virtually all of the key players in industrial and commercial doors & shutters and garage doors and also represents the leading UK manufacturers of building hardware and architectural ironmongery. For more information visit www.dhfonline.org.uk .