1. Only order from a single source
From 1 July, it is a legal requirement for external doorsets, including fire escape and emergency doors, to be CE marked in compliance with BS EN 14351-1:2006. To achieve this they must be supplied from a single source, or be a complete doorset package supplied under the responsibility of a single source, comprising door, frame, hardware, glass and seals.
2. Internal doors are not included
Be aware that internal doorsets and fire-resisting doorsets cannot be CE marked for their performance characteristics for the time being, until the harmonised standards for these products are approved. The British Woodworking Association says this is expected at the end of 2014.
3. Check for Building Regs compliance
The “single source” will provide a Declaration of Performance that details how the doorsets performed in tests set out in BS EN 14351-1, such as air leakage, water-tightness and U-value, and make it easy to compare one doorset with another before placing your order. However, CE-marked performance characteristics may not necessarily satisfy the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations.
4. Double labelling
Specifiers can also require compliance with other standards such as security and fire resistance, but these are classed as voluntary characteristics and cannot be CE marked. These must be issued to you in separate documents and labelled on the doorset separately.
5. Site checks
Check the labelling and packaging of doorsets when they arrive on site. If everything is in order, you can have confidence the product meets your performance requirements.
By the Door and Hardware Federation www.dhfonline.org.uk/
