BWF reports Certifire membership "surge"

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) says a 43% surge in membership within its Certifire Fire Door & Doorset Scheme shows the trade accepts the importance of product certification.

The big increase is revealed in the BWF's new scheme directory, which also includes 22 new BWF Approvd Fire Door Centres.

Richard Lambert, BWF director, said: "The increase in membership confirms the importance of what the scheme is trying to achieve.

"It also reflects the acceptance by fire door manufacturers, converters and suppliers of the importance of ensuring that fire doors, fire door assemblies and their components are certificated and compatible."

Mr Lambert said the impetus built up by the BWF in setting high performance standards and establishing the network of fire door Centres will "steadily convert more of the industry to using certificated doorsets and compatible components".

The Certifire scheme addresses the key issue of compatibility from production, through modification to installation. Training and supporting literature offered to fire door centres stress the need to use suitable frames, seals and ironmongery to ensure a fire door will sustain the required period of fire resistance.

New Certifire members include Bennett Windows & Doors Ltd, European Doorsets and Holloways Doors & Frames Ltd. Fire door centres include all 20 branches of Howarth Timber.