Revised standard prompts new UK fire safety guidance

ASSA ABLOY Door Group has reported that a UK-specific advisory has been issued regarding the use of thresholds in steel fire doorsets, following the revision of European Standard EN 15269-2.

The company said the British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a new UK National Foreword to accompany the revised standard, addressing concerns that certain threshold designs could reduce fire resistance.

The issue arose from testing which showed that adding a threshold – previously permitted without further justification under the standard – could negatively affect fire performance when used with some door core types.

UK industry testing identified risks in threshold designs

According to ASSA ABLOY Door Group, fire resistance tests revealed that thresholds added to steel fire doorsets may compromise safety, depending on the materials used in the door core.

The revised EN 15269-2 standard did not include changes to reflect this issue, as the test results became available too late in the revision process.

The UK voted against publication of the standard due to these concerns, although a majority vote from other European countries allowed its release to proceed.

UK National Foreword advises direct fire testing evidence

The UK National Foreword issued by BSI recommends that thresholds should only be included where supported by specific fire test evidence in accordance with EN 1634-1.

ASSA ABLOY Door Group stated that the advisory is non-normative but serves as important guidance to avoid assumptions in fire doorset design.

The company added that this aligns with guidance being shared by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which is informing members of the risks associated with untested thresholds.

ASSA ABLOY confirms product compliance with testing standards

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Door Group, said: “ASSA ABLOY Door Group welcomes this clarification and strongly encourages manufacturers, specifiers, and contractors to act on the guidance now available.

“Ensuring fire doorsets are supported by robust test evidence is essential for protecting lives and meeting compliance expectations.”

ASSA ABLOY Door Group confirmed that its Powershield steel fire doorset range has been tested in accordance with EN 1634-1 and complies fully with fire resistance standards.

The company stated that these doorsets provide assurance of performance in real fire scenarios as well as alignment with regulatory requirements.

UK guidance updated on steel fire doorset thresholds following safety concerns: Summary

ASSA ABLOY Door Group has reported that the UK has issued a new National Foreword to EN 15269-2.

The foreword addresses concerns about the fire performance of steel doorsets with thresholds.

Testing revealed that thresholds may reduce fire resistance depending on core material.

These findings were too late to alter the revised European standard.

The UK voted against the standard’s publication due to these safety concerns.

The standard was still released after majority support from other EU member states.

The UK National Foreword advises using thresholds only when supported by EN 1634-1 test evidence.

The Door & Hardware Federation is also communicating this advice to its members.

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Door Group, supports the updated guidance.

ASSA ABLOY Door Group stated that its Powershield steel fire doorsets are fully compliant with EN 1634-1.