Need to Know: Changes in Fire Door Regulations
Being aware of and complying to the latest fire safety regulations is vital for anyone who works with fire doors – whether that’s manufacturing, installing, maintaining and inspecting, or specifying them.
Earlier this year the UK Government confirmed that the BS 476 series, a set of British Standards for fire testing, is being phased out and replaced with the European EN 13501 series.
References to BS 476 are being removed in stages from Approved Document B (Fire Safety) of the UK’s Building Regulations to focus instead on the European standards.
The regulations are changing as part of a broader effort by to improve fire safety in UK buildings, with:
- A clearer and more effective fire safety regime – as recommended by the Hackitt Report into the Grenfell Tower fire, which revealed flaws in current testing and classification.
- Reviewing and modernising outdated standards – BS 476 had not been reviewed in detail for many years.
- One unified standard that aligns with industry best practice. The government wants to simplify regulations and move away from the current dual system (BS 476 and BS EN 13501).
- Internationally recognised – unlike BS 476-22, EN 1634-1 supports CE or UKCA marking and is recognised elsewhere in Europe.
- More thorough testing – European standards (especially BS EN 13501) test methods are considered to more accurately reflect real-life fire conditions.
The updates are being implemented in stages; the first major changes were introduced in March 2025, and by September 2029, the BS 476 series will be completely phased out and replaced by BS EN 13501.
Since the EN system was introduced, both BS 476 and EN standards have been accepted in Approved Document B as proof of product performance.
Although the EN methods are generally accepted as more robust, it does not necessarily mean previous BS 476-tested products are unsuitable for use, but shows that EN tests might challenge the product differently.
What do the changes mean for fire door testing in particular?
BS 476: Part 22 is the UK standard for the fire resistance of building materials and structures, including fire doors – being replaced by the BS EN 13501-2 classification which defines fire ratings under BS EN 1634-1 testing for fire resistance and smoke control for doors, shutters, and windows that open.
Fire doors and doorsets that were previously certified under BS 476: Part 22 may need further testing to meet EN 1634-1. Some manufacturers may need to re-test and re-label products to meet the new standards, while others may need to amend their designs and the materials used.
How are the tests different for fire doors?
EN 1634-1 specifies:
- More rigorous and robust test conditions, with more precise requirements.
- A more controlled and uniform test environment, where BS 476: 22 allows some variation.
- A greater focus on measuring and testing smoke leakage (as well as how the door reacts to heat and flame)
- More detail on testing doors with up to 240 minutes’ fire resistance
- Testing both sides of a fire door
- Testing fire-rated systems/assemblies and individual components eg frame, glazing, seals, etc
Understanding these regulation changes is vital to ensuring that fire doors are properly specified and tested so they provide the highest safety standards and protect people and property.
Enfield Speciality Doors can offer more information and guidance on fire safety regulations and fire door testing. Our expert and friendly team can help architects, specifiers, interior designers, fire safety specialists, contractors, and installers to comply with the regulations and choose the right materials and designs for internal fire doors and doorsets.
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Further reading/sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b
https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/articles/the-changing-status-of-the-bs-476-standard-series-a-summary
https://www.chsg.co.uk/bs476-to-begin-phasing-out-from-march-2025/
