The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has revealed that five suppliers of fire doors failed to meet required fire performance standards.
There are many safety measures needed for buildings to comply with fire regulations including fire alarms, fire safety signs and fire extinguishers. Fire doors are essential to prevent the spread of fire.
The organisation investigated the fire door industry after it was found that fire doors from Grenfell Tower failed a 30-minute fire resistance test after just 15 minutes. Subsequent investigations found four other fire door manufacturers whose doors failed the fire resistance test.
The MHCLG is writing to all building control organisations urging them to check that fire doors installed in their buildings can pass tests to see if they comply with building fire regulations.
Despite its findings, the MHGLC says that the risk to public and worker safety is low. James Brokenshire MP, a member of the MHGLC said:
“While the department’s investigations are on-going, I now have enough evidence to suggest that there is a broader issue across the fire door market. That is why I am calling on suppliers to meet this week and provide reassurance that they are gripping this issue properly.”
Brokenshire wants an action plan to make sure all fire doors pass fire resistance tests.
All the manufacturers whose door failed the test have cooperated with the government and withdrawn all doors from the market that did not pass the fire resistance tests.
