Fire-Rated Access Solutions for Fire Engineers and Consultants
Access panels and riser doors tested to BS EN 1634-1 with comprehensive certification — giving you the evidence you need to sign off compartmentation with confidence.
How do access panels maintain fire compartmentation?
Fire-rated access panels and riser doors maintain fire compartmentation by providing fire-resistant closures for openings in compartment walls, floors, and ceilings that would otherwise create weak points in the fire strategy. Each product is tested as a complete assembly — frame, door leaf, intumescent seals, and ironmongery — to BS EN 1634-1, demonstrating that the assembly maintains integrity (E) and, where required, insulation (I) for the specified period.
In a correctly installed fire-rated access panel, intumescent seals expand under heat to fill gaps between the frame and door leaf, preventing the passage of flame and hot gases through the compartment boundary for periods of 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes depending on the product specification and the compartmentation requirements of Approved Document B, BS 9999, or BS 9991.
Why Fire Engineers Need Manufacturer-Level Evidence
Fire engineers and consultants carry significant responsibility for the integrity of a building's passive fire protection strategy. Every opening in a compartment boundary — whether for a services riser, ceiling void, or maintenance access — must be accounted for and evidenced. The challenge is that access panels and riser doors are often specified late in the design process, sometimes by contractors or drylining subcontractors rather than the design team, and the test evidence provided does not always match the installed configuration.
Post-Grenfell, the scrutiny on passive fire protection products has intensified. The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced new dutyholder requirements, and Building Control bodies increasingly demand complete test evidence packages rather than relying on manufacturer declarations alone. Fire engineers need to verify that every access product in the fire strategy has been tested to the correct standard, in the correct orientation, for the correct duration, and that the installed configuration — including frame type, seal arrangement, and ironmongery — matches the tested assembly.
The consequences of inadequate evidence are significant. A single access panel installed without appropriate test evidence can compromise an entire compartmentation zone, creating liability for the fire engineer who signed off the strategy. This is especially critical in higher-risk buildings where the Building Safety Regulator requires detailed golden thread documentation.
What We Provide for Fire Engineering Projects
Comprehensive Test Evidence
All fire-rated products are tested to BS EN 1634-1 at UKAS-accredited laboratories including BRE and Warringtonfire. We provide full test reports — not summary certificates — so you can verify the tested configuration against your specification. Test evidence is available for download from our Resource Library or on request from our technical support team.
Bi-Directional Fire Testing
Our riser doors are tested from both sides for 60 and 120 minutes, providing fire engineers with assurance that compartmentation is maintained regardless of fire direction. This is essential for services risers where the fire could originate from either side of the compartment wall.
Fire Performance Range
Access panels and riser doors rated from 30 to 120 minutes for integrity (E), with insulation (I) options where required. Smoke-tested products to BS EN 1634-3 for smoke control in protected corridors and escape routes. Products covering wall, ceiling, and floor applications across the full range of compartmentation scenarios.
Configuration Matching
Every product is supplied with documentation confirming that the delivered configuration matches the tested assembly. Frame type, seal arrangement, hinge specification, and lock type are all recorded against the relevant test report reference, supporting your golden thread documentation requirements.
Technical Liaison
Our technical team works directly with fire engineers during the design stage to confirm product suitability, provide specification guidance, and resolve non-standard compartmentation scenarios. We attend design team meetings and provide written technical advice for inclusion in fire strategy documents.
Declarations of Performance
Full Declarations of Performance (DoP) are available for all CE/UKCA-marked products, supporting your regulatory compliance documentation.
Fire-Rated Product Range
Fire Rated Access Panels
30, 60, 90, 120 min. BS EN 1634-1. Wall and ceiling applications.
Fire Rated Riser Doors
60, 120 min. BS EN 1634-1. Bi-directional testing.
Smoke Rated Access Panels
E + S classification. BS EN 1634-3. Protected corridors and escape routes.
Acoustic + Fire Rated
60 min + up to 45dB. BS EN 1634-1 + BS EN ISO 10140-2. Dual performance for residential.
Insulated Loft Hatches
30 min. BS EN 1634-1. Roof void compartmentation.
Technical Resources for Fire Engineers
- Fire Test Certificates — Full BS EN 1634-1 test reports from BRE and Warringtonfire, not summary documents
- Smoke Test Reports — BS EN 1634-3 classification reports for smoke-rated products
- Declarations of Performance — CE/UKCA DoPs for all fire-rated products
- Technical Data Sheets — Complete specifications including tested configurations, seal details, and ironmongery
- Classification Reports — Fire classification to BS EN 13501-2
- Installation Guides — Ensuring installed configuration matches tested assembly
Need fire test evidence for your project?
We provide complete certification packages for fire engineers — full test reports, declarations of performance, and configuration compliance documentation. Our technical team is available to support your fire strategy from design through to Building Control sign-off.