Vanquish Hardware Protection, is claiming a UK first after securing IFC (International Fire Consultants ltd) certification for both of its hardware protection products – FlexiFire graphite-based and Fire Protectors phosphate-based intumescent.
Business development manager Mike Sutcliffe says the manufacturer of Intumescent kits for rebated hardware in timber fire door assemblies will be the only UK hardware protection manufacturer with 3rd party certification.
“Hardware protection products are not CE or UKCA marked,” he said, “The problem is intumescent materials are not made consistently across manufacturers, and can behave very differently from one another, so there is no minimum requirement for graphite content in graphite-based intumescent, for example, and no maximum activation temperature.”
He added that IFC 3rd party certification covers initial testing, includes audits to assess the consistency of production, and certified products are printed to ensure traceability throughout production.
The graphite-based FlexiFire and the phosphate-based Fire Protectors expand upon exposure to heat, preventing heat transfer on rebated hardware, including hinges, locks and latches, flush bolts, door controls and letter plates, and sealing voids created during the rebating process.
“As the first standalone company dedicated to intumescent hardware protection, we have always led the way and the 3rd party accreditation scheme shows our continued commitment to keep doing that,” Mike added.
“All hardware installed on fire doors must be fitted without compromising the integrity of the assembly and this is absolutely critical where hardware is rebated into the doorset. Now we can provide our customers with even more peace of mind and ensure our hardware protection products will perform as intended, ensuring life and property are kept safe at all times.”
