GENERAL KNOWLEDGE / Frequently Asked Questions

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We provide detailed reports that support legal compliance by assessing all parts of the doorset. Most maintenance/installation companies offer incomplete surveys and misleading installation/maintenance reports that, to the untrained eye, appear compliant but will inevitably trigger costly yearly maintenance and put the lives of those relying on its performance in danger

Key FD can carry out maintenance and ensure the survey findings will be suitable completed. 

Note* 

To ensure full compliance, a suitably qualified third-party company—accredited by organizations such as FIRAS or BM TRADA—should be engaged to conduct the survey report. If the survey is carried out by Fire Risk Assessors or by a company lacking appropriate accreditation, there is a risk of receiving an incomplete or non-compliant report. This may lead to inappropriate remedial recommendations, potentially compromising the integrity and performance of the fire door.

Check if the Survey, Maintenance, or Installation Reports state compliance with current British Standards, Approved Codes of Practice, Legislation, and Approved Documents. An accredited company will also ask the client if they wish to have the works recorded under the third-party accreditation scheme (FIRAS BMTRADA). You can request a survey by sending us an email or giving us a call if you're uncertain.

Look if the survey is identifying compliant items, locks , Closer , intumescent/ smoke trips, gaps, threshold, Fire door , Frame , hinges , glazing rating etc

In short yes , there is no legislation requiring 3rd party accreditation or any level of carpentry.  

But installation and maintenance are not the same.

Installation refers to the replacement or fitting of a full doorset (door and frame included). Installation is rarely monitored, which results in an increase in component failure and requires constant maintenance. The installation must be in line with the manufacturer's instructions and BS8214, and this should be signed off by a competent person.

The golden rule of maintenance is to replace and adjust like-for-like. This means that if a product was installed incorrectly or is unsuitable, the maintenance will most likely repeat the mistake. (Replacing the frame or door leaf is part of maintenance, and it should still be restricted to a like-for-like basis.)

Example: Many certified components might be unsuitable if the door manufacturer has no supporting data. Not all doors are the same, and maintenance that goes beyond the like-for-like rule with unidentified doorsets could result in installing products that compromise the door's performance.

It is a legal requirement to ensure that the fire door is suitably installed, maintained, and surveyed. The client is ultimately responsible for its performance, and having the right documentation can help deter any claims and address future survey queries. 

Correct installation and maintenance work will drastically reduce the need for future work on the doorset.