According to a recent Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) study, approximately 660,000 students throughout the UK live in private sector purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) each academic year. Ensuring these student housing developments can withstand the high turnover of residents is essential, however, fire safety and the prevention of fire spreading must remain a top priority throughout every stage of the design, construction and maintenance process to ensure the building’s safety, and the safety of its residents, for its entire lifecycle.

Fire doors play a central role in saving lives and minimising greater damage to a building by containing a fire within the room it first ignited. The fire-resistance of a building product should be tested in 'real-world settings' according to Dame Hackitt's Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, to ensure all performance values claimed by the manufacturer are factual and represent the final installation. With regard to fire rated riser doors, in order to achieve the highest standards of compliance, construction professionals should ensure they have undergone an extensive testing process that supersedes the guidance outlined in BS EN 1634 and Annex B of Approved Document B2 to successfully futureproof the building. Whilst some manufacturers may only undertake product assessments through third parties, others are taking a proactive approach to product testing and certification that supports architects and specifiers in achieving the highest standards of compliance.

Leading the way in increasing standards within this area, Profab Access is the first manufacturer in the UK to bi-directionally fire test its riser doors via an independent third party. As each riser door is physically tested in both directions, it offers the highest levels of fire safety, as professionals can be confident the riser door will withstand exposure to fire and smoke from both directions for the certified time period. Profab Access’ VEGA 1500 Series Fire Rated Riser Door provides architects and specifiers with an affordable yet compliant access solution, ideal for installation throughout student accommodation developments. The value engineered, light weight structure of the VEGA 1500 Series, which is available in single and double door configurations, delivers a flush, concealed finish that ensures first- class functionality and safety, whilst providing a seamless aesthetic finish within the interior design scheme. Extensively bi-directionally tested by Efectis in France and Ireland, the riser door is suitable for use in standard flexible stud wall construction and with all board manufacturers.

The lightweight, easy to install solution provides professionals with permanent and safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within a riser core. The VEGA 1500 Series is also supplied as standard with Profab Access’ revolutionary PRECISION adjustable frame, which completely transforms the installation process to reduce fitting times by up to 30%. PRECISION’s unique construction enables the frame to precisely adjust to the specific dimensions of each structural opening. The continual adjustable steel packer system ensures the installation is fit for purpose by providing the highest standards in accuracy, whilst also removing the requirement for traditionally used packers during installation. The engineered frame also features built-in factory applied intumescent fire rated mastic strips to the outer frame, which provides fire stopping between the wall and the frame. This eliminates the reliance of the correct thickness of intumescent mastic bead being applied, removing any potential margin for error and ensuring compliance and adequacy of the entire installation.

www.profabaccess.com