Updated Fire Door Hardware Code Of Practice

The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), together with the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), has published an updated code of practice for the selection of building hardware for use on fire-resisting and escape door assemblies and door sets.

The term door hardware covers a wide range of door fittings, such as hinges, door-closing devices, locks and latches, door bolts, fire safety signs, fire and smoke seals, and panic and emergency exit devices. Several of these have key roles to play to ensure that fire doors stay closed in their frames in an emergency and so can effectively restrict the initial development and spread of fire and protect escape routes.

As such, it is vital to ensure that items are carefully selected to ensure correct performance.

The guide has been updated in line with changes in legislation and technology and will be of interest to a wide range of people, including building owners and others responsible for fire safety management within buildings, building designers, and manufacturers and suppliers of building hardware.

Updates to the guide include new sections covering:

• Access control and electronic locks—ensuring that devices installed for security purposes don’t impede the ability of occupants to escape safely
• Mechatronic door furniture—that is, door furniture that incorporates some form of electronic reader and digital key to operate
• Electrically controlled exit systems—those that utilise electronic locks on exit doors, for example, to prevent residents in dementia care facilities or children in childcare settings from wandering out and inadvertently exposing themselves to danger.

The updated code is free to download here.

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