THE door industry journal summer 2025 97 Doorsets, Fire Doors, Safety & Security Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk portals. From a compliance standpoint, decision makers can instantly check a product’s associated Declaration of Performance (DOPs) to show hardware conforms to the correct testing standards and UKCA and CE certifications, as well as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) when looking to conform to the latest environmental benchmarks. With this information, those involved in product selection can assure their installed fire door hardware will perform when it is called upon. Transparent product information is also useful when it comes to maintenance periods and conforming to Approved Document B, with amendments made as recently as March 2025 focusing on Regulation 38, which states that “the person carrying out the work shall give fire safety information to the responsible person no later than the date of the completion of the work, or the date of occupation”. By providing this material, manufacturers are offering improved traceability on products and their performance, empowering duty holders to comply with legal obligations and keeping occupants safe in the process. Transparency equals opportunity Data is a critical resource in decision making and with several schemes evolving such as the Golden Thread and the Code for Construction Product Information, a real strategy is forming. Where information is accessible and no longer ambiguous, the industry is fostering a proactive culture of collaboration, further transitioning from reactive compliance-driven tasks to a more effective method for tackling fire door safety and building design as a whole. Outside of duty holders being able to demonstrate compliance by showing how they are managing risks throughout their buildings, there is perhaps a greater opportunity presented with clear communication amongst stakeholders. Where it’s imperative for industry professionals to remain informed on the latest standards and hardware options, a collaborative approach can lead to better and more informed design choices that continue to deliver post-project delivery and improve fire safety outcomes. Furthermore, with information readily available, there is an opportunity for early identification of potential hazards and vulnerabilities. For existing projects, decision makers can check what hardware product has been used and where, deciding if it has been suitable and further reducing the use of ineffective options and avoiding costly retrofits when the time has come to repair or replace products. From an operational perspective, when reliable product information can be accessed and assessed instantaneously, duty holders are able to streamline their decisions - assuring any changes or issues with fire door safety products are rectified quickly and actioned efficiently. With this holistic approach to information sharing, building and fire safety management becomes a shared duty. The Golden Thread is setting the standard and protecting all stakeholders in the process - helping to build trust in an area it is most needed. The use of traceable and transparent product information means the approach to fire door safety and building management is changing and the industry is urged to continue building upon this culture whilst navigating the latest standards. Traceability is no longer a burden of best practice - it’s an industry expectation and equally, a golden opportunity that must not be missed. www.allegion.com https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr/declaration-performance-and-ce-marking_en https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ce-marking | https://www.environdec.com/home https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/909/regulation/38 | https://www.cpicode.org.uk
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