Last updated: November 2, 2026
BS 476-22 Fire Door Tests: Status and EN 1634 Transition
Quick answer: BS 476-22 is the long-standing UK fire-resistance test method for non-loadbearing elements such as doorsets. In 2026, buyers need to distinguish three things: a historic Part 22 test, an FD classification used in UK guidance, and the increasingly important European route through EN 1634-1 and EN 13501-2. Always verify what evidence the current Approved Document B position and the project's building-control body accept, rather than buying on an FD label alone.
What Part 22 tests
BS 476-22 exposes a representative doorset in its supporting construction to a heating regime and assesses integrity and, where measured, insulation over time. The report describes specimen construction, frame, seals, hardware, glazing and installation. As with other systems, the result is tied to configuration and size. A Part 22 report for one leaf cannot be stretched informally to a larger pair or a different frame.
FD30 and FD60 are project classifications, not paper stickers
UK specifications use FD30, FD60 and smoke-control suffixes to describe the performance expected at an opening. The doorset evidence, third-party certification route and installation standard must align with that specification. A colored plug, label or brochure FD mark is meaningful only when it traces to the certification scheme and data sheet governing that actual doorset. Ask what field of application covers leaf size, frame, intumescent seals and ironmongery.
The transition question every buyer should ask
The UK has been moving its fire-resistance classification environment toward the European system, and acceptance of legacy national evidence can depend on project timing, building type and the current statutory guidance. Do not freeze a long production programme around an old summary that says 'BS accepted' or 'BS banned' without a date and scope. Record the building-control position in the procurement file and ask whether EN 1634-1/EN 13501-2 evidence is preferred or required for that application.
Third-party certification versus a single furnace test
A one-off test proves the specimen tested. UK project buyers often look for ongoing third-party product certification because it connects initial testing with factory production control, audit testing and defined data sheets. The useful question is not 'Do you have a certificate?' but 'What exact doorset, size, frame, seal and hardware combinations does the current certificate and data sheet cover, and when does surveillance expire?'
Specification route for imported timber doorsets
State destination, building type, FD/EI requirement, smoke function, leaf sizes, wall type and hardware in the RFQ. Request classification/certification documents before sample production. Keep BS 476 and EN routes separate in the cost comparison; a supplier may have credible evidence in one route and none in the other. For the European method itself, see EN 1634-1 explained.
Specification checklist: what to confirm before ordering
- Destination code edition, wall type and the opening’s required fire/smoke function.
- Complete doorset configuration: leaf, frame, seals, glazing and hardware—not a leaf-only claim.
- Every scheduled size and configuration mapped to test, classification, listing or assessment scope.
- Self-closing, latching, clearances and frame fixing checked at installation.
- Labels, installation instructions and inspection records included in the handover file.
Related guides
- Can You Fireproof a Wooden Door? Ratings, Limits & Options
- AS 1530.4 Fire Tests and FRL: Reading an Australian Report
- Self-Closing & Latching Rules for Fire Doors (NFPA 80)
Send the destination market, wall/opening requirements, sizes and glazing/hardware functions. We will review the configuration against the target compliance route before quotation.
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FAQs
Is BS 476-22 still valid in 2026?
Validity depends on the regulatory route, application and timing. Treat current UK guidance and the project's building-control decision as the authority, and record their position before ordering.
Does FD30 mean the same as EI30?
They both indicate a 30-minute class in their respective systems, but test, classification and acceptance routes differ. Do not present one as automatic proof of the other.
What matters more: a test report or third-party certification?
A test report is evidence for a specimen. Third-party certification adds production surveillance and a defined scope, which is why many UK specifications prefer it for ongoing supply.
