Turning the screw on fire door safety and security

Rapierstar has supported Hallmark Doors and Panels on the development and manufacture of its new 2021 certified range of composite fire doorsets with both EN1634 30-minute fire protection and PAS 024 Enhanced Security performance.

The new dual certified FD30sa range from Hallmark provides social housing specifiers, housebuilders and end-users with an assured level of protection in both respects because of its advanced design and manufacture, which is backed by third-party testing, Rapierstar said.

Hallmark’s production is regularly audited to ensure high manufacturing standards are maintained, including all fasteners.

Hallmark’s dual-certified doorsets use Winkhaus UK’s fire door frame FireFrame, which accommodates the Winkhaus AV2 multi-point locking system, with the option of upgrading to automatic multi-point locking with the blueMatic AV2-E.

Rapierstar’s StarPVCU fasteners are used throughout this FireFrame, Fire and Security door set, including the screws for attaching lock keeps, thresholds and toplights, and its StarFix frame fixings are supplied for installation along with fitting guidance.

Rapierstar’s technical collaboration with both Winkhaus and Hallmark ensured the most suitable fasteners could be selected and incorporated into an approved frame design. Hallmark is using this complete suite of Rapierstar fasteners for its doorset manufacturing to ensure there is no deviation from the original specification that successfully passed fire and security testing.

Paul Spencer, sales director at Hallmark Doors and Panels, said: “The technical support provided by Rapierstar has been extremely important to ensure we successfully pass our testing and achieve the dual certification.”

Rapierstar supplies the fasteners in colour-coded boxes so each one is quick and easy to identify on the production line. It’s a practical step that makes it easier for fabricators to get it right every time and pass quality control.

Paul Balfe, Rapierstar’s technical consultant added: “Any weakness in a doorset designed to provide fire protection or enhanced security can be catastrophic and it is only going to be as good as its weakest link. That’s why we were delighted to support Hallmark and Winkhaus prior to any testing to help them achieve the right result and bring an extremely appealing product range to the market.”

Fire testing commissioned by Hallmark involved subjecting the doorsets to temperatures of up to 885ºC, with fire exposure on both sides to achieve a ‘pass’ result. Both solid and glazed composite fire doors were tested, achieving a fire protection level on average 54% over the 30-minute requirement.