In September of 2024, the Government announced that the fire testing standards used for National classifications (British Standards) will be removed from Approved Document B. leaving only the EN 13501 European classification standards. This change has sparked confusion about the differences between the two systems, and raised concerns about whether products tested to the British Standards are fit for purpose.
These concerns are unwarranted. Products tested to British Standards are reliable, and the transition to the European classification standards should not cause worry. The transition is in fact the outcome of a long-held ambition by the Government to have a single classification system for the fire performance of construction products.
The timeline for the transition is just over four years – with the withdrawal of the National fire test standards taking place in September 2029. This period provides the industry with crucial time to prepare for the changes. For the fire door sector, it allows manufacturers and suppliers to ensure compliance with the new standards and for those specifying and responsible for fire doors to fully understand the implications of the change.
In the upcoming edition of Timber Trader magazine, I explore the background to the testing change and tackle the common misconceptions around the two standards for the testing of fire doors so that fire door manufacturers can reassure their customers that products tested to National classifications can be used confidently.
I’ll also share how the BWF is actively supporting its fire door members, and the broader industry, to prepare for the transition to the European Standard for fire door testing.
