Allegion UK commentary links building safety to digital fire door data

Building safety and digital fire door information

Allegion UK has published commentary from Sue Corrick on how digital information is being used in building safety, including how fire door hardware can act as a source of recorded data.

The commentary argues that improving the structure, quality and usability of digital handover information is central to meeting Regulation 38 and Golden Thread requirements.

Standardised, accessible asset data is presented as a way to support hardware specification, installation and maintenance across the supply chain.

It suggests that even highly mechanical components such as fire door closers can contribute to a more data-centred approach to compliance and building operation.

Certification, records and what data is used for

Corrick’s commentary sets out how testing and certification data for fire doors and their hardware components has often been inconsistent, missing or unverified.

Much of this information has historically been held in disconnected paperwork systems.

The piece states that test evidence should clearly show classifications, limitations and compatibility between components such as door closers, hinges and leaf assemblies.

Assessment reports should be transparent, retrievable and directly linked to a manufacturer’s products.

Digital record keeping is described as increasingly necessary for duty-holders who are responsible for products remaining reliable and suitable across a project’s lifecycle.

The Building Safety Act is said to have increased attention on competency and traceable, accessible product information.

The Golden Thread of Information is described as a legal requirement under the Act and a framework for creating, maintaining and accessing verified product data.

The commentary also references government proposals for a centralised library for construction products to expand regulatory coverage and support decision-making.

Inspection data from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is cited as showing that care and maintenance issues are present in 54% of fire door inspections.

The piece gives examples of how door closer information can be embedded with the product itself, including video installation guides accessed via QR codes and safety critical data available through the Golden Thread.

Corrick said: “Fire door safety will always remain a technical discipline, but in an age where information can be accessed instantly from our fingertips, even a mechanical fire door closer has a digital voice.”