Behind closed doors

摘要

In the built environment, there is often a legal requirement for products such as doors, screens, partitions and ceilings to resist the passage of fire and so control its spread, protecting life by allowing the occupants to escape and the fire services to gain access to fight the fire. The location and period of fire resistance required for construction products is determined by legislation, codes of practice or the 'accepting authority' - usually a local authority building control department. Fire resistance is proven through destructive fire testing and by assessment. Manufacturers or designers submit their products to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited test facility, such as Chiltern International Fire. Such third party certification demonstrates a consistency of manufacture which, in combination with test evidence, provides the confidence that every product will perform as expected.