What every UK fire door hardware supplier needs to know right now

UK fire door hardware manufacturers receive new guidance

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers has partnered with the Door & Hardware Federation to publish a best practice guidance document on fire door hardware information in Great Britain.

The Ironmongery Manufacturers’ Guidance Document was created with support from the Office for Product Safety and Standards and is intended to help manufacturers meet regulatory requirements.

According to the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), the guidance is aimed at those placing hardware on the market and outlines what information should be provided for safe product selection, installation and maintenance.

The guidance also applies to distributors and companies applying their own branding to ironmongery components.

The organisations said the document has been in development for more than a year.

Content outlines what manufacturers must provide

GAI said the guidance outlines the essential product information that manufacturers should provide for ironmongery used on fire resisting door systems.

The Guild explained that this includes recommendations on labelling, installation instructions, third-party certification, supporting test evidence and maintenance information.

It also includes details on intumescent protection where applicable.

The guidance encourages manufacturers to ensure information is available in both digital and printed formats, and kept up to date.

The GAI said this will help ensure the safe application of fire door hardware in buildings.

Risk-based categorisation included in the document

A key part of the guidance is a classification system for door hardware based on the level of impact installation has on the integrity of the door.

According to the Guild, the document divides hardware into three categories depending on the level of material removed from the door or frame during installation.

The GAI said this is intended to ensure that where the risk to a fire door is higher, more detailed product information and evidence is required.

The aim of the classification system is to support consistent and risk-informed safety practices.

The document includes tailored guidance for each category.

OPSS welcomes support for compliance

Duncan Johnson, Deputy Director for Construction Products Regulation at the Office for Product Safety and Standards, said: “I welcome engagement with OPSS from both the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and the Door & Hardware Federation aimed at supporting businesses in understanding and meeting regulatory requirements.

“Businesses must comply with the regulations that apply to them, and industry-led initiatives such as this best practice guide can help them achieve this in a practical and effective way.”

Industry organisations highlight regulatory and safety value

Douglas Masterson, Technical and Training Director at GAI, said: “This publication has been carefully designed to help manufacturers meet both their legal responsibilities and the expectations of those specifying and installing fire door hardware.

“By setting out clear, practical recommendations on what product information should be provided – including marking, installation instructions, test evidence and certification details – this document will help to improve product safety, regulatory compliance and ultimately, life safety.”

Michael Skelding, General Manager and Secretary at DHF, added: “This collaborative guide strengthens the industry’s ability to consistently deliver safe, compliant fire door solutions.

“It recognises the complexity of fire door assemblies and the critical role that well-specified, properly installed and maintained hardware plays in ensuring fire and life safety.

“We are proud to have worked alongside GAI and OPSS on this project and encourage all hardware manufacturers, distributors and specifiers to adopt this guidance as standard practice.”

Fire door hardware guidance issued by GAI and DHF: Summary

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and the Door & Hardware Federation have released a new best practice guide for fire door hardware.

The document is titled the Ironmongery Manufacturers’ Guidance Document.

It was developed in collaboration with the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

The guidance is intended to support manufacturers, distributors and rebranders of ironmongery products.

It outlines what product information should be supplied for components used in fire resisting door systems.

Topics include labelling, installation instructions, testing evidence, certification and maintenance.

It also covers intumescent protection details.

A classification system is included for hardware based on the installation’s impact on door integrity.

OPSS welcomed the document’s publication as a practical compliance support tool.

GAI and DHF both said the guide would help improve product safety and regulatory alignment.

They encouraged manufacturers to adopt the document’s recommendations.