Third-party product and process certification (TPPPC) linking the design and production of product systems with testing and factory control now very much forms the strong and flexible backbone of product assurance for specialist and bespoke primary door manufacturing. TPPPC assurance underpins fitness-for-purpose. It provides far more than is possible with just initial type testing, which limits evaluation to only the basics of generic examples before placing on the product on the market, and without further considering application test developments for the market.
ASDMA provides a united voice for companies who operate within the bespoke timber door industry.

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ASDMA provides a united voice for companies who operate within the bespoke timber door industry. Through representation of members on British and European technical committees, members have access to the most up-to-date technical and industry knowledge.
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The diversity in ASDMA’s membership means the association is uniquely equipped to provide guidance on all the factors relating to the bespoke timber door industry. ASDMA guidance is made available through, publications, FAQ and Continual Professional Development seminars.
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ASDMA members are well positioned to advise specifiers, contractors, building control, fire officers, door manufacturers and installers on key issues in the design and specification of custom made timber doors for internal and external applications.
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Once Again ASDMA Strongly Supports Fire Door Safety Week 2021
No one – four years’ on after the extreme horror of the Grenfell Tower tragedy – can possibly forget the importance of specialised, properly designed fire doors in every building, whatever the purpose and type of occupancy. Fire doors are critical to every building fire safety strategy. That’s not only to provide reliable and effective […]
What Makes a Fire Door?
ASDMA explains the specialist design, manufacturing and testing processes that go into producing a third-party certified fire door.
Custom-Made Fire Doors – Derogations Under Article 5 of the Construction Products Regulations
This article explains the importance of the derogation from the making of a declaration of performance for CE marking specifically allowed under Article 5 of the Constriction Product Regulations (CPR) in terms of non-series made products, such as custom-made fire doors.
In Remembrance of Tony Palmer
It is with much sadness that we have learned of the death of Tony Palmer. Tony was a longstanding ASDMA member and passionate supporter of the specialist timber door & fire protection industry. Having made a very significant contribution to the development of specialist fire doors over the years, Tony’s depth of knowledge has always […]
ASDMA Calls for the Fire Door Sector to Pull Together to Come Through this Crisis
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic crisis may well be deep and long-lasting, especially if lockdown without significant commercial activity continues for any extended period. At some point there will be a return to a new normality. But there are serious risks to the fire door sector and it is therefore important for the whole sector to pull together to come through.
Specialist Fire Door Manufacturers Keep Producing for Urgent NHS Orders
Specialist fire door manufacturers are keeping going in response to NHS Trusts who are under pressure to maximise care capacity in the face of the extreme demands placed on them by the coronavirus crisis. ASDMA members are being asked to bring forward deliveries to allow refurbishment work needed to bring hospital wards into service for additional treatment and care facilities.
ASDMA Seeks Government Guidance on Construction and Manufacturing as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, the specialist fire door industry finds itself under increasing commercial pressure, due to critically low demand and limited component supplies. ASDMA has written a letter on behalf of the trade association to Government ministers expressing concern for the sector and asking for clearer guidance as to how and when the construction industry may restart on a risk-reduced basis.
ASDMA Calls for Low Risk Products in a New Approach to Fire Safety
In light of the Government’s recent consultation regarding a new risk-based prioritisation approach to fire safety, ASDMA recommends that the need is for low risk products backed by third-party certification to provide the necessary level of confidence that performance will be in line with the required critical safety standards.
5 Top Fire Door Tips for Landlords
In residential environments, fire doors give tenants the vital time they need to evacuate their homes in an emergency situation. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the landlord has a legal responsibility to keep their property and tenants safe. As such, they must ensure that fire doors are properly specified, installed and maintained. ASDMA offer their top five fire door tips for landlords.
Should Fire Doors be Tested from Both Sides?
Should fire doors be tested from both sides? Door manufacturers are often challenged over whether fire doors should be tested from both sides. ASDMA discuss the standard rules governing the fire resistance testing orientation of timber fire doors.
Fire Doors Myths – Busted!
ASDMA are supporting Fire Door Safety Week 2019 and as such are sharing the resources they have created that are designed to inform business owners and users, as well as those within the construction industry, of how to use and maintain fire doors properly. This year, Fire Door Safety Week have brought out their ‘Fire […]
ASDMA Supports Fire Door Safety Week 2019
Fire doors are often the first line of defence from a fire, providing passive protection by delaying the spread of it and enabling occupants time to escape. Despite this, their correct specification, manufacture, installation, inspection and ongoing maintenance requirements aren’t always fully understood by those responsible for them. Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) is a […]
At last! Ministry of Housing Finally Reports on the Timber Fire Door Test Programme
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) finally issued the timber fire door test results. ASDMA summarise the main conclusions from the tests that emphasise that there should a high degree of confidence in the timber fire door industry.
The Passive Fire Protection Forum Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence 2019
The Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) has released their new ‘Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence 2019’. Drawn from the collective expertise of the passive fire protection industry within the UK, this document defines a framework and competency standards for the undertaking of assessments […]
Update on the Timber Door Fire Test Programme – Single Orientation Testing
ASDMA offer an update on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) fire resistance tests on timber doors. Although we have not been consulted or involved in the programme, some of our members have been asked to provide doors. We are led to believe that at least 25 full tests have been concluded […]
Technical Assessments from Test Evidence to establish Doorset Design and Specification
ASDMA has issued the following Guidance Bulletin, concerning the validation of fire resistance and smoke control performances of timber fire doors: ASDMA_GUIDANCE_AssessmentsJan19
Clarification of Guidance for the Fire Resistance Testing of Fire Doors
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has recently written to Local Authority Building Control and issued an explanatory note concerning the testing of fire doors (Note 16, 31st July). The advice comes from testing on composite door types following the Grenfell fire. The intention is to provide a reminder that fire doors should be […]
Grenfell: Forever in our hearts
Thursday 14 June 2018 will mark the first anniversary since the Grenfell Tower fire and ASDMA would like to convey its sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy and all who have been affected in any way.
ASDMA TO EXHIBIT AT FIREX 2018
We are pleased to announce that ASDMA (Architectural and Specialist Door Manufacturers Association) is to exhibit at FIREX International from June 19-21 at Excel London. Please visit us on stand A50 for Best Practice advice for specialist timber fire doors.
Update on fire doors investigation – risk to public safety remains low
Housing Secretary updates Parliament on the fire doors investigation and confirms experts advise the risk to public safety remains low: Update on fire doors investigation
Government advice issued for building owners on assurance and replacing of flat entrance fire doors
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government has released the following guidance regarding assurance and replacing flat entrance fire doors: Advice for building owners on assurance and replacing of flat entrance fire doors
ASDMA’s response to the fire door issue identified at Grenfell Tower
There have been many news reports in recent days regarding the fact that the Metropolitan Police have commissioned a fire test on a door assembly from within Grenfell Tower. Please be aware that ASDMA are following this up and are actively seeking more information to enable us to understand, firstly the type of door assembly […]
ASDMA article in Fire Magazine
Click on View Post to download our recent article in Fire Magazine
Regulatory Review – ASDMA’s contribution
The Government announced on 28th July what they described as a forward looking and independent review of the regulatory system for fire safety, with a call for evidence. Here’s ASDMA’s detailed response. Important aspects are the central role of the specification and specifier, the need for third party product certification and the crucial importance of recognising product best […]
The Regulatory Review – Fire Sector Federation Response
The Fire Sector Federation (FSF) was formed in 2010 to speak as a single voice for fire safety. ASDMA is a member, along with 70 other organisations. Here is the FSF’s full input to the Government’s review of building regulations for fire safety, covering major comments on what are seen as significant systemic failings.” FSF Regulatory Review […]
Fire Sector Federation (FSF) backs calls for third-party certification
Making the lead address to the national Fire Summit on 11th October at Aviva headquarters, the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) President Brian Robinson called for the creation of a National Fire Safety Agency that can address fragmentation in the supply, procurement and construction chain for buildings, to co-ordinate input from all the professionals involved in […]
ASDMA responds to the Government’s call
Last Friday the 13th was the Government’s crucial deadline for providing responses to the call in their document of 12th September for evidence on fire safety in buildings. The Government’s regulatory review is now under way – the first serious review of its kind, launched as part of the response to the Grenfell Tower catastrophe, […]
The CE Marking of Internal Doorsets – UPDATE on 24 July 2017
Progress? The expectation was that by now the wheels of the European system for the official approval of EN harmonised standards would be turning, and at last the end of the tunnel could be seen for the CE marking of internal doorsets to EN 14351-2 together with the fire resistance standard EN 16034 (but still […]
Announcement: Grenfell Tower Tragedy
ASDMA wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy, as well as profound regret for those who have lost their homes and belongings. We would also like to pay tribute to the bravery and professionalism of the fire service and other emergency response services. […]
BS8214:2016 Timber-based fire door assemblies is now available
BS 8214, the British standard for timber-based fire door assemblies, has been completely revised and has now been published in November 2016. Copies are available here: BSI Group:8214 ASDMA have produced a bulletin below, which details important aspects and considerations relating to the new standard: Asdma_Bulletin_BS8214
Update on the use of beech timber as a component material for fire door manufacture
Please find attached a letter from the Beech Timber Fire Door Industry Task Group regarding limitations on the use of Beech timber components within doorsets requiring a fire resistance performance of 60 minutes or greater, along with a testing and assessment protocol to allow the use of Beech components. As you are aware, there are […]
Further confusions for the CE marking of doorsets
Update issued on 28th April 2016 There is yet further uncertainty, confusion and delay once again over the intended start of CE marking of doorsets for fire resistance. At a recent meeting, the responsible committee, CEN and the Commission failed to agree. The original target of 1 September for introduction of the necessary standard EN […]
UK Fire Doors Ltd acquires the Leaderflush Shapland plant at Langley Mill
Please find below an update from one of our member companies, UK Fire Doors Ltd: UK Fire Doors is pleased to announce the acquisition of all plant and machinery at the Langley Mill site, previously occupied by Leaderflush Shapland prior to it entering into administration in December 2015. UK Fire Doors has also negotiated a […]
Fire door warning following fatal tower block blaze
ASDMA speaks out over the importance of ensuring that fire doors are properly maintained following the fatal blaze in a Deptford tower block in which two women died. The housing manager of Lewisham Homes was fined £40,000, with additional costs of £23,407, after a guilty plea of failing to properly maintain fire doors and keep […]
Important Notice – Leaderflush Shapland Ltd
It is with sad regret that we have been advised that one of our member companies, Leaderflush Shapland Limited has been placed in administration. The affairs, business and property of the company are being managed by the Joint Administrators, Richard Michael Hawes and Clare Boardman on 18 December 2015. Please visit www.leaderflushshapland.co.uk for more information. […]
UPDATE ON BS EN 16034
ASDMA has been advised that BS EN 16034 has now been delayed with the date of harmonisation being 1st September 2016 and with the end date of the coexistence period being 1st September 2019. Any further updates will be advised. Please note: that the product defined by the scope of the hEN has not changed. […]
New edition of the ‘Best Practice Guide to Timber Fire Doors’ now available from ASDMA
As the recognised voice of the timber door industry, ASDMA have released a second edition of the highly respected “Best Practice Guide to Timber Fire Doors”. “The Best Practice Guide is a vital tool for all those who are involved in the specification, procurement, installation, use and maintenance of timber doors, particularly when fulfilling a […]
ASDMA success at BM TRADA’s ‘CE Marking for Fire Doors’ event
With imminent introduction of the CE Marking of timber doorsets, ASDMA were pleased to sponsor BM TRADA’s seminar on ‘CE Marking for Fire Doors’ held at Staverton Park in Daventry in April. The seminar was attended by over 140 delegates and brought together many of the UK’s leading fire door manufacturers and component suppliers to […]
ASDMA celebrates 25 years of representing the specialist timber door industry
The Architectural and Specialist Door Manufacturers Association (ASDMA) is celebrating it’s 25th year in 2015. As the leading trade association for specialist, bespoke timber doors, ASDMA is the recognised voice of the industry and has represented it’s members throughout the UK and Europe and on all the major committees that could affect legislation and industry […]
Debunking the CE Marking myths ASDMA steps forward to clarify confusions on CE Marking for timber doors
With CE Marking of timber doorsets expected in 2015 following the publication of BS EN 16034, ASDMA is on hand to offer advice and hopefully dispel some of the myths surrounding CE Marking. Ian Makins, ASDMA’s Chairman comments: ‘ASDMA is concerned about the confusion and misinformation that surrounds CE marking and it is important that […]
Alan Cross – An Appreciation
Founding Chairman of ASDMA, Alan Cross, died on 23 October. Leeds born and bred, Alan was educated in Switzerland and on his return home joined Curtis & Sons, a prominent Shopfitting company in Leeds as an apprentice wood machinist. From Curtis’s he moved to Keirnan Building Contractors in Leeds from where he moved in the […]
ASDMA Founding Chairman – Alan Cross
It was with sadness that ASDMA learned of the death of our Founding Chairman, Alan Cross on 23 October. Current Chairman, Ian Makins said, “Alan was a man who was passionate about the bespoke timber door industry. His company was a founding member of ASDMA and even after retiring from full-time work, Alan remained fully […]
Fire Door Safety Week 15-21 September 2014
As a leading trade association actively involved in the fire door industry, ASDMA are supporting Fire Door Safety Week through our continued efforts to publicise the importance of correct specification and installation of fire doors. Fire Door Safety Week is all about raising awareness of this critical element of fire safety in every commercial, public […]
ASDMA steps forward to clarify confusions on CE Mark for timber doors
ASDMA is concerned about the confusion and misinformation that surrounds CE marking. It has therefore spent a considerable amount of time in scrutinising the European Community source core documents, also consulting with the regulatory authorities in the UK and with Trading Standards who are the designated product contact point in the UK for building products […]
Have you heard about our new guidance document?
The diversity of ASDMA membership means the association is uniquely equipped to pull together information on all factors relating to the bespoke timber door industry. Our most recent publication, Guidance and Recommendations for Acoustic Doorsets, focuses on acoustics and aims to simplify what can often be a very complex subject. Doorsets are essentially functional products […]