Fire Compartmentation Access Panels — Test Evidence

Fire rated access panels and riser doors maintain fire compartmentation by providing fire resistant closures for openings in compartment walls, floors, and ceilings. Each product is tested as a complete assembly, frame, door leaf, intumescent seals, and ironmongery, to demonstrating that the assembly maintains integrity and, where required, insulation for the specified period. Intumescent seals expand under heat to fill gaps between the frame and door leaf, preventing the passage of flame and hot gases for periods of 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes depending on the compartmentation requirements. We support fire engineers across healthcare transport infrastructure and residential projects, see our sector pages for compliance detail.

How We Help

What We Provide for Fire Engineering Projects

Comprehensive test evidence, certification, and technical liaison to support your fire strategy from design through to Building Control sign off.

Comprehensive Test Evidence

All fire rated products are tested at UKAS accredited laboratories including BRE and Warringtonfire. We provide full test reports, not summary certificates, so you can verify the tested configuration against your specification.

Bi Directional Fire Testing

Our R51 premium riser door is tested from both sides under BS 476 (valid to 2029) and BS EN 1634-1, providing assurance that compartmentation is maintained regardless of fire direction. Essential for services risers where fire could originate from either side.

Fire Performance Range

Access panels and riser doors rated from 30 to 120 minutes for integrity (E), with insulation (I) options where required. Smoke tested products to BS EN 1634-3:2004 for smoke control in protected corridors and escape routes.

Configuration Matching

Every product is supplied with documentation confirming that the delivered configuration matches the tested assembly. Frame type, seal arrangement, hinge specification, and lock type are all recorded against the relevant test report reference.

Technical Liaison

Our technical team works directly with fire engineers during the design stage to confirm product suitability, provide specification guidance, and resolve non standard compartmentation scenarios. We attend design team meetings and provide written technical advice.

Regulatory Compliance

Full regulatory compliance documentation is supplied with every order — independent test reports, classification reports and Declarations of Performance — supporting your golden thread requirements under the Building Safety Act.

Product Range

Fire Rated Product Range

Access panels and riser doors tested for every compartmentation scenario.

Access Panels

Metal, tile and plasterboard face options. Fire rated up to 120 minutes, acoustic rated up to 48dB.

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Riser Doors

Full height steel riser doors for service risers and shafts. Fire rated up to 120 minutes, acoustic rated up to 40dB Rw on R51.

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Fire rated meter overbox by Rapid Access

Meter Overboxes

Gas and electric meter overboxes with tamper proof locking. Fire rated to 120 minutes for compliant access.

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Loft Hatches

Insulated, airtight loft hatches. Fire rated up to 120 minutes with drop down and side hinged options.

Explore Loft Hatches

Made in Britain

Formed, Welded, Coated & Tested
Under One Roof

Every access panel, riser door, loft hatch and meter overbox is manufactured at our own facility in Nuneaton — no outsourcing, no middlemen, full control over quality and lead time.

Operator running an Amada press brake to form steel access panel components — 01CNC press-braked steel

MIG welding a door frame on the fabrication bench — 02MIG-welded frames

Products on the overhead conveyor of the in-house powder coating line — 03In-house powder coating

Finished access panels on the packing conveyor before despatch — 04Checked before despatch

See inside the factory

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions fire engineers ask about our fire rated access solutions and test evidence.

What fire test standard are your access panels tested to?

All fire rated access panels and riser doors are tested (Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies, openable windows and elements of building hardware). Testing is conducted at UKAS accredited laboratories including BRE and Warringtonfire. Full test reports are available on request.

Are your riser doors tested from both sides?

Our R51 premium riser door is bi directionally tested, from both the face and the rear, under BS 476 (valid to 2029) and BS EN 1634-1. This provides fire engineers with evidence that compartmentation is maintained regardless of fire origin direction, which is essential for services risers where fire could approach from either side. Not all variants in the standard R57 range are tested from both sides — confirm the specific datasheet for your variant.

What classification do your fire rated products achieve?

Our products achieve classifications under BS EN 13501-2 ranging from E 30 (30 minute integrity) through to EI 120 (120 minute integrity and insulation). The specific classification depends on the product type, size, and application. Refer to individual product data sheets or contact our technical team for classification details relevant to your project.

Do your access panels come with intumescent seals?

Yes. All fire rated access panels and riser doors are supplied with factory fitted intumescent seals as part of the tested assembly. The seals are positioned to match the tested configuration exactly. We do not supply fire rated products without seals, as this would invalidate the test evidence.

Can you provide test evidence for Building Safety Regulator submissions?

Yes. We provide complete test evidence packages suitable for golden thread documentation and Building Safety Regulator submissions. This includes full test reports, classification reports, and installation verification documentation confirming the installed configuration matches the tested assembly.

How do I verify the installed product matches the tested configuration?

Every fire rated product is supplied with a product label referencing the relevant test report. Our installation guides detail the critical installation parameters that must be maintained. Our technical team can provide a configuration compliance checklist for your project, and our on site technical support service is available for installation verification on complex projects.

Do you offer smoke rated access panels for protected escape routes?

Yes. Our smoke rated access panels are tested to BS EN 1634-3:2004 and achieve the Sa classification for ambient temperature smoke leakage. These are specified in protected corridors, lobbies, and escape routes where Approved Document B requires smoke control measures at openings in compartment walls.

What support do you offer during the fire strategy design stage?

Our technical team provides specification guidance during RIBA Stages 3 and 4, confirming product suitability for your compartmentation strategy. We can attend design team meetings, provide written technical advice for inclusion in fire strategy documents, and produce project specific compliance packs. Contact us to arrange a technical consultation.

Are your products suitable for higher risk buildings under the Building Safety Act?

Yes. Our products are tested to the standards required for all building categories including higher risk buildings as defined by the Building Safety Act 2022. We support the golden thread requirements through comprehensive documentation including test reports, installation records, and maintenance guidance.

What is the difference between integrity (E) and insulation (I) in fire ratings?

Integrity (E) measures the ability of the assembly to prevent the passage of flame and hot gases from one side to the other. Insulation (I) measures the ability of the assembly to limit the temperature rise on the unexposed face. A product rated EI 60 maintains both integrity and insulation for 60 minutes. Whether insulation is required depends on the location and the fire strategy, your fire strategy document should specify the required classification for each compartment boundary.

Fire Rated Access Solutions for Fire Engineers.

What We Provide for Fire Engineering Projects

Comprehensive Test Evidence

Bi Directional Fire Testing

Fire Performance Range

Configuration Matching

Technical Liaison

Regulatory Compliance

Fire Rated Product Range

Access Panels

Riser Doors

Meter Overboxes

Loft Hatches

Not Sure Where to Start?

Formed, Welded, Coated & Tested
Under One Roof

Frequently Asked Questions

Quality You Can Trust

Ready to Specify
Your Project?

Fire Rated Access Panel
Specification Guide

Fire Rated Access Solutions for Fire Engineers.

What We Provide for Fire Engineering Projects

Comprehensive Test Evidence

Bi Directional Fire Testing

Fire Performance Range

Configuration Matching

Technical Liaison

Regulatory Compliance

Fire Rated Product Range

Access Panels

Riser Doors

Meter Overboxes

Loft Hatches

Not Sure Where to Start?

Formed, Welded, Coated & TestedUnder One Roof

Frequently Asked Questions

Quality You Can Trust

Ready to SpecifyYour Project?

Formed, Welded, Coated & Tested
Under One Roof

Ready to Specify
Your Project?