Fire Safety Experts Praise ‘Next Generation’ Product

A new fireproof safety product has attracted praise from a supplier to the housebuilding sector as “possibly the best on the market”. 

Shane Porter, Managing Director of Comyn Ching Architectural Components, said: “No one wants to see another Grenfell incident. Ritherdon’s Mark III FireSeal product is the only one we know of on the market today that has been so rigorously tested, including though penetration testing.

“Ritherdon does a fantastic job as a responsible supplier in the way they produce and market their products.”

Fire Safety

Darwen-headquartered manufacturer Ritherdon & Co launched its newest range of passive fireproof products earlier this year.

A 131-year-old company, Ritherdon is known for producing electrical enclosures and engineering solutions with its growing fire safety product range, now including the Mark III FireSeal Fire Rated Access Panel.

The panel cover was designed in-house to upgrade the fire performance of an existing panel or opening in a wall, forming a seal, protecting from smoke and fire from both internal and external sources.

Shane, whose company is based in Bury St. Edmunds, explained: “This product is so good, manufactured and designed to such a high standard, it will stand the test of time.

“In an evolving market as the fire sector is, you must be aware of what is likely to be needed in the future as regulations change.

“Ritherdon have future-proofed their new Mark III Fire cabinet by rigorously testing to the highest standards and accreditations.

“It is more than likely to stand the test of time and still be viable in five years, which is what our customers want.”

Testing Evidence

Brian Derbyshire, Ritherdon Operations Director, has led this project for a number of years, including overseeing the latest fire safety tests that took place earlier this year.

Brian said: “All of our FireSeal products have been smoke-sealed and thoroughly fire tested.

“Some manufacturers only test access panels in one direction, whereas we wanted to make sure our products are fire and smoke resistant from either side, so all of our FireSeals have been smoke-sealed and tested two ways.”

It is this considered and thorough approach to product development and testing that customers appreciate and are looking for, Ritherdon says, particularly in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Shane Porter added: “Testing and accreditations are crucial for products success and longevity. No one wants to see another Grenfell Tower disaster.

“The rules and regulations have become stricter and stricter. Many of the big fire companies we supply are very aware of any legislative changes.

“The market has been crying out for a product that has the penetration testing both ways. Ritherdon are very cautious about saying what the cabinet does and does not do. They have the testing evidence to back up what the new fire cabinet will do and this is what makes it so special.”

Reworked Design

Originally developed more than 15 years ago, the Ritherdon design team has reworked the original design to make the latest FireSeal products even safer, as recent tests showed fire was unable to breach the access panel after more than an hour of 1,000 degree Celsius heat from the testing furnace.

FireSeal Fire Rated Access Panels can be used to protect wherever there is an opening from outside a property that leads inside, but their primary use is within buildings where multiple access panels are necessary between interior walls.

Brian explained: “Usually, there is a fireproof board placed at the back of electricity boxes, but we realised that this was not enough – especially because the standard units do next to nothing to prevent the spread of smoke.

“We use fireproof glands and intumescent seals in our devices to create an airtight seal that stops flames, and smoke, from passing through the access panel covers.

“Our FireSeal Fire Rated Access Panels could be used on external walls, but their main use is inside blocks of flats and office buildings, where they will prevent fire and smoke from breaching an internal wall in the event of a fire.”

The FireSeal Fire Rated Access Panel was tested at Element PFP in High Wycombe, Bucks, where it successfully survived not only the hour-long fire and smoke test, but also an additional 12 minutes.

Ben Ritherdon, Ritherdon Managing Director, said: “As far as we are aware, there aren’t any other products like the Mark III FireSeal on the market.

“In developing the product, it was particularly important to achieve the highest standards of testing and accreditations before we were happy to launch onto the market.

“We are delighted to hear such positive feedback from a respected, long-standing customer like Comyn Ching Architectural Components. It is much appreciated.”

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