Doors from five manufacturers have now failed tests

James Brokenshire in parliament on 30 April, 2018

Housing secretary James Brokenshire has called out the fire door industry following a spate of failed safety tests.

Fire doors from five suppliers have now been identified as failing to meet fire performance standards following an ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The ministry began investigating the fire door industry after it was found that a glazed, composite fire door from Grenfell Tower manufactured by Manse Masterdor failed a 30 minute fire resistance test after approximately 15 minutes.

Issues were subsequently identified with doors produced by Masterdor Limited. the successor business to Manse Masterdor.

Doors from three additional manufacturers have now failed fire resistance testing when tested on both sides.

The government said glazed composite doors supplied by Specialist Building Products Limited, trading as Permadoor; Solar Windows Limited; and Birtley Group Limited, trading as Bowater by Birtley have now failed the tests.

All doors that are known to have failed to meet the necessary standards have been withdrawn from the market and the department has informed local trading standards of its findings.

Brokenshire (pictured) has ordered major fire door suppliers to meet this week and agree a clear plan of action to tackle the failings which have been identified, with weekly reports on progress following the latest tranche of failed tests.

He said: "While the department’s investigations are ongoing, I now have enough evidence to suggest that there is a broader issue across the fire door market. That is why I am calling on suppliers to meet this week and provide reassurance that they are gripping this issue properly.

"I want to see a clear plan of action to rectify existing problems and ensure such failures are not repeated in the future. Whilst our expert panel assures me the risk remains low I want to assure the public that the government is doing everything it can to ensure construction products are of the highest safety standards and accurately tested and marketed."

The MHCLG is also writing to all building control bodies highlighting the need to check that existing building regulations guidance on new fire door installations is followed.

The guidance sets out the tests which should be performed – including testing doors on both sides – in order to meet building regulations requirements.