ART 2024 Update Summary - Iss 3 by BM TRADA, Element and Warringtonfire

ART Update January - December 2025 Summary of Changes

The below details capture significant changes made to the most recent revision of ARTs that will provide an Approved Maintainer with further options when carrying out maintenance work in line with Q-Mark Fire Door Maintenance scheme requirements. Other changes may be noticed that are not included in the text below that will however not affect any method of repair techniques.

ART No.

Location of Change Details

Page 1 and 3 –Repair technique option 1 and 3, first paragraph.

Page 1 and 2 –Repair technique options 1, bullet point 1 and repair technique option 2, bullet point 2.

Page 6 – Repair technique option 5, bullet point 3.

Explanation

wording in ART)

The new timber must be glued in position with a urea formaldehyde-based adhesive, or if evidence from the doorset manufacturer is available and supports its use, PVAc (Type D3 or D4) may be used.

and,

If the lipping material has splintered resulting in a section pulling away from the leaf edge, providing the splintered section measures no greater than 5mm deep x 5mm wide x 350mm long, it is permitted to either adhere the section of timber back to the lipping with a urea formaldehydebased adhesive or, if evidence from the doorset manufacturer is available and supports its use, PVAc (Type D3 or D4) may be used.

Application of PVA (Type D3 or D4) adhesive within the joint local to the head and jambs. and,

Remake the joint between the head and jambs using conventional joinery methods (e.g., re-making the existing jointing method), with PVAc (Type D3 or D4) applied within the joint.

The frame should then be lifted, and a hardwood timber shim should be inserted underneath the frame jamb. This frame shim should have a minimum density of 640 kg/m³, with the grain at right angles relative to the frame jamb equal to the size of the cross section of the existing frame. The maximum thickness of the shim should not increase the threshold gap to more than the maximum tolerance stated within the manufacturer's original specification, taking into consideration any smoke control requirements

The use of PVAc glue types to the left, in blue, has been expanded to include Type D4 where doorset manufacturer evidence is available and supports its use. This is for where doorsets are installed in an unfavourable environment (e.g. external or high humidity). The ‘D’ classifications relate to the durability classes outlined within EN204.

Page 7 –Limitations of repair, this ART covers the following, point 6.

Page 1 – Repair technique option 1, first paragraph

The use of PVAc glue types to the left, in blue, has been expanded to include Type D4 where doorset manufacturer evidence is available and supports its use. As above, this is for where doorsets are installed in an unfavourable environment (e.g. external or high humidity). The ‘D’ classifications relate to the durability classes outlined within EN204.

Page 3 –Limitation for repair, this ART does not cover, point 1.

Adjustment of the door gaps at the bottom edge of the leaf by means of shims under the frame jambs where floor levels have been modified

If the surface-mounted door closer is not suitable for the application (e.g., it will not close the door from all angles), or if a previously installed closer is missing and there is no evidence available to determine the specification of the original door closer, the doorset should be fitted with a closer that is appropriately sized (see BS EN 1154) to close the door leaf and has documented fire test evidence in accordance with BS 476 Pt 22 or BS EN 1634-1 or 2. The fire test evidence must confirm that the closer has successfully met the required fire resistance performance in a similar door construction. For instance, when considering a timber-based door leaf within a timber frame, the closer must have demonstrated performance in a timber-based door leaf of the same thickness within a timber frame.

If the surface-mounted door closer has mechanically failed, it should be replaced with an identical, like-forlike closer. If the original closer type is no longer available or deemed unsuitable, the guidance for unsuitable or missing closers (as outlined above) should be followed.

The installation of alternative concealed door closers (Jamb mounted or overhead) which are not identical to a failed door closer.

The text to the left, in green, has been revised to offer clearer instructions and limitations for raising frame jambs to increase the threshold gap.

The text to the left, in blue, has been added to explain the rationale behind performing this type of repair

The text to the left, in green, has been revised for greater clarity in explaining the correct approach to addressing a closer that is malfunctioning, incorrect, or missing.

The text to the left, in blue, has been added to offer clearer instructions on limitations when replacing concealed door closers.

ART Update January - December 2025 Summary of Changes

Page 3 –Limitation for repair, this ART does not cover, point 2.

Page 1 – Repair technique option, point 12.

The installation of alternative door closers on metal or composite doorsets which are not identical with respect to performance, size and fixing locations to a failed door closer.

The text to the left, in blue, has been added to offer clearer instructions on limitations when replacing metal or composite doorset door closers.

Where doorset manufacturer’s supporting evidence for the original specification is available and it is possible to verify what the original hardware components should have been, this information must be utilised to determine if the hardware has been replaced for an alternative. Whilst it remains the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the doorset being maintained is of a suitable specification for the period of fire resistance required, any alternative hardware identified as an alternative replacement should be brought to the attention of the responsible person or Specifier of Works so they can consider appropriate action under their risk assessment. A written agreement must be received from the Responsible Person, or Specifier of Works to confirm the desired approach and accept liability where changes are not covered by the evidence. Where the Responsible Person, or Specifier of Works, wishes for appropriate replacements to be carried out because it has been determined that the current hardware falls outside of the doorset manufacturer's original specification, and for timber doors where modification is required to the doorset.

This approach can be carried out on door types where modification (e.g., changes to aperture size, or additional apertures) of the doorset is not required. For timber doors this approach can also be carried out where it has also been determined that repairs to any resulting voids can be undertaken in accordance with ART 2.

The text to the left, in blue, has been added to enable maintainers to align the doorset with the manufacturer's specification where it is evident that a hardware component has been incorrectly fitted. It is important to note that all findings must be formally reported to the Responsible Person or Specifier of Works to confirm the desired approach and accept liability where changes are not permitted.

Page 2 – Repair technique option 2, title.

Page 2 – Repair technique option 2, bottom paragraph.

Page 2 –Limitation for repair, this ART does not cover, point 1.

Repair Technique Option 2: (Replacement of a single frame member or door stop)

Where door stops are damaged or missing a replacement stop can be fitted which must match the existing specification, including material type (species), density, dimensions, profile and fixing method. Where smoke seals were fitted to the original stop, a smoke seal of the same specification (including type, manufacturer, and dimensions) must be applied in the same manner and location to the replacement stop.

Where existing frame and associated seal specifications cannot be determined including material type (species), density, dimensions, profile and fixing method.

The title for repair technique option 2 has been revised to include the text to the left, in green, following the inclusion of new details (highlighted in ART 21 relevant rows below), which expand Repair Technique Option 2 to include refitting or replacing door stops.

The test to the left, in blue, has been added to enable a maintainer to refit missing or damaged stops where the specification of the original stops can be obtained

The test to the left, in blue, has been added to limitations to further reinforce the necessity of obtaining the specification of the original door stop.