As the built environment navigates a period of significant reform, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK examines the two principles that are proving fundamental in reshaping fire door safety standards
The fire door safety model is changing. Improved building safety requirements and the demand for greater accountability have been the driving force behind new regulations and guidance. However, the growing relevance of competence and transparency is redefining how responsibility is understood across the supply chain.
Competence and transparency are far from new concepts, but in the wake of regulatory updates, their interdependence is helping to form a framework for achieving higher standards. More than ever before, the ability to specify, install and maintain effective fire safety systems – such as fire doors and their hardware – hinges on demonstrable expertise. Crucially, that expertise must now be reinforced by clear, accurate and accessible information.
Whether approaching a new development or a retrofit project, demonstrating sufficient capability and clarity is now a prerequisite for compliance. Not only must decision makers show confidence in the products specified and installed on fire doors, but also in the data that underpins those choices. Whilst legislation outlines what is expected of responsible parties, how are competence and transparency defined in theory? And in what way can professionals translate this into practice?
Concepts defined
In the context of fire doors, both safety and compliance are compromised when gaps emerge between regulatory expectations and execution. A certified fire door will typically compartmentalise a space for 30 to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of smoke and fire and providing occupants with a critical opportunity to escape. However, an ineffective fire door system can lose its integrity within minutes, with common failures often identified as the result of incorrect specification, poor installation and inadequate maintenance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that fire doors should be installed by a ‘competent person’, yet the demand for competency extends beyond installation alone. Specifiers, maintenance professionals and responsible persons must all demonstrate capability beyond general awareness. In fact, individual competence is defined as possessing the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours (also referenced as SKEB), as outlined in The Building Safety Act, BS 8670-1:2024.
The Building Safety Act also stresses the importance of transparency, whereby those involved in building design and the management of high-risk buildings must refer to the ‘Golden Thread of Information’ as part of their duties. Following years of legislative reform, there is a higher expectation of clear product documentation, with greater transparency supporting more informed decision-making. For this, the ‘Golden Thread’ acts as a single source of truth, providing clear, accessible and accurate records of buildings and the systems used within them.
Further emphasis is being placed on product information through the Construction Products Reform Green Paper and the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). These initiatives focus on how manufacturers communicate product information and aim to eliminate misleading claims by ensuring performance data is clear, verifiable and up to date. The emergence of Digital Product Passports (DPP) – expected to become a legal requirement for CE marking – will further strengthen this approach and, when implemented, enable stakeholders to access product performance records and testing data in real time.
Converting theory into practice
These evolving standards send a clear message: both competence and transparency must be embedded into every stage of the decision-making process. Professionals across the supply chain must demonstrate that fire door assemblies meet the required standards, and in doing so, it is critical to recognise that these two principles go hand in hand.
From specification and installation to inspection and maintenance, even the most capable individual is limited without access to accurate information. Equally, comprehensive product data holds little value if it is not understood or properly applied. In line with the SKEB framework, continuous learning and professional development are essential, with ongoing training helping to ensure that individuals maintain and enhance their capabilities as industry standards, products and regulations continue to evolve.
Manufacturers also play a pivotal role in advancing the relationship between competence and transparency. Many conscious manufacturers are investing in end-to-end product support, including detailed technical literature, installation guidance and training resources. These efforts are helping to build awareness and skills in key areas, whilst assuring capability and raising industry benchmarks. The implementation of digital tools is making information more accessible, too, and equipping professionals with the means to specify, install, and maintain fire door safety products with confidence.
In practice, professionals are encouraged to review fire door hardware specification, installation and maintenance as specialised tasks. During installation, for example, installers must follow manufacturer guidelines and fitting instructions, which should be supplied with all third-party certified fire doors and hardware. Similarly, competent fire door assessors must ensure that the entire assembly is fit for purpose by reviewing certification, door integrity, glazing, gaps, seals, hinges, and closing mechanisms. When a fire door is not operating as intended, it is essential to seek expert advice where required to ensure maintenance is carried out quickly and professionally.
Competent and transparent fire door safety standards for a safer built environment
With this in mind, reliable fire door systems should always be supplied with comprehensive product information, including performance records, third-party certification, technical product data sheets and installation guidelines.
Transparent, accurate construction product information verifies whether a system complies with required standards, and, when combined with the development of SKEB, professionals are taking the right steps toward effectively managing fire door safety across the built environment.
The relationship between competence and transparency is about more than compliance, however. By following both principles, professionals will be equipped with the right knowledge and will be supported by reliable information, fostering a much-needed culture of trust.
Ultimately, this integrated approach may contain the key to raising fire door safety standards and delivering a safer built environment for all.
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