Posted on: March 30, 2026
The British Standards Institute has just published a revision of the BS 8214 – the Code of Practice that relates to the specification, design and performance of fire-resisting and smoke control doors.
This latest BS 8214:2026 edition is a very significant useful Code of Practice, which extends the scope of the standard with new and updated content, to better reflect the new focus on safety performance and the primary responsibilities of all those in the supply and design chain. It provides up to 50 pages of detailed, useful practical guidance.
• The standard is not limited to fire door assemblies, but covers fire doors as a coordinated complete system however they are supplied to site, whether this is as door assemblies, doorsets or door kits.
• The standard is no longer limited to timber fire doors but covers the core principles relevant to all fire doors, concerning materials, designs and applications.
• The standard has been revised to be less prescriptive in relation to certain performance characteristics and on-site operations and instead now focuses on informing the user as to what supporting evidence (see B.3) is needed for any fire door construction within scope. It emphasises the importance of following and maintaining the specification determined in accordance with the supporting evidence.
• The standard includes guidance on both national and European classifications for fire doors.
• The order of the clauses has been changed to reflect the construction process, with recommendations concerning roles and responsibilities preceding specification and supporting evidence followed by guidance on design, installation, handover and maintenance.
• The clauses concerning smoke control provides more information on the use of seals, while the reliance on prescriptive construction recommendations that were difficult to achieve has been removed. It specifically includes the use of threshold seals for smoke control doors, because of the increased emphasis now on limiting toxic smoke spread.
• The guidance on sealing the interface between frames and the surrounding structure has been clarified in respect of the recommended evidence supporting the use of materials, including stone wool, mastic and foam sealants.
To download BS 8214, visit; https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/fire-resisting-and-smoke-control-doors-practical-considerations-concerning-specification-design-and-performance-in-use-code-of-practice
ASDMA has played a leading role in helping to produce this standard, which has involved more than 40 detailed discussion and drafting meetings. We are available to answer questions, and can help with further information on recommended practice, if you wish.
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