The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has published a new Best Practice Guide for its members on BS 8214:2026.
The guidance is aimed at helping industry professionals understand the key changes introduced by the latest edition of the standard, which replaces BS 8214:2016. While the previous edition focused on timber door assemblies, the new standard has widened its scope to cover fire resisting and smoke control doors across a range of construction types, including timber, steel, aluminium, and composite doors.
The changes reflect the importance of taking a holistic approach to fire door performance, with the standard emphasising that a fire door must be considered as a complete system, rather than simply a door leaf. The performance of the door depends on the compatibility of its components, as well as correct installation, inspection, maintenance, and appropriate repairs throughout its service life.
DHF’s new Best Practice Guide provides members with an overview of the revised standard and highlights key considerations for those involved throughout the life cycle of a fire door. The objective of BS 8214:2026 is to ensure that fire resisting and smoke control doors of all materials perform as intended throughout their service life. The guidance highlights the importance of working to a specification provided by a source with overall responsibility for the building, ensuring that all other requirements are taken into account. It also stresses the need to ensure the competency of everyone involved in the installation, inspection, and maintenance of fire doors, with all work supported by appropriate evidence and record keeping, and relevant information provided to the client in accordance with current legislation.
Steve Hill, senior training and compliance officer at DHF, said: “The introduction of BS 8214:2026 is an important development for everyone involved with fire resisting and smoke control doors. Our new Best Practice Guide is intended to help DHF members understand the changes and ensure that the right processes are followed when specifying, installing, inspecting, and maintaining fire doors.”