Winkhaus FireFrame composite fire doorsets solutions are the first company to attain the new Q Mark third-party audit certification for smoke and become the first company to attain Q Mark certification for all three critical performance requirements: fire, smoke and security.
Winkhaus UK Technical Director Chris Flaherty explains the importance of the new Q Mark certification for Smoke: ‘The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) guidelines for fire doors identifies three critical performances that require testing – fire, smoke & security. The guidelines also clearly state that these critical performances should be third-party independently audited. Traditional test evidence most often includes smoke resistance, but the smoke evidence has not been controlled by the third-party independent audit/certification scheme as recommended by the MHCLG.’
Jon Cole, Chief Operating Officer at Secured by Design, comments: ‘In 2021 we secured agreement from all of the UK certification bodies working in this area to incorporate smoke control into their fire and security schemes for flat/apartment entrance doorsets. We fully support the active and progressive position that Winkhaus has taken on this matter. Chris and his technical team have demonstrated that it is possible to meet all of the requirements in one package. Flat/apartment entrance doorsets are becoming increasingly complex products and Winkhaus are the first to meet all of the SBD requirements through the Q Mark third-party certification scheme.’
Chris explains: ‘Driving this change ensures that all three performances are tested and regularly independently audited to prove that all future production in the coming weeks, months and years will continue to provide the safest doorset solution.
‘We are delighted that our composite fire doorset solutions are the first to be awarded Q Mark Certification for smoke and the first to hold all three Q Mark certifications from BM Trada, with our timber doorset solutions currently completing the same certification process.’
For help and support with fire-door specifications or further information on fire-doorset legislation, please visit firetraining.winkhaus.com or email marketing@winkhaus.co.uk
