Fire rated Letterbox slot installed in FD30 door - implications

[Fezmarelda]

Hi, 

Does the installation of an appropriately fire rated letterbox into an apartment front fire door (FD30) automatically undermine the FD30 door certification rating if the original test certificate was based on no letterbox slot installed?  

Even if the letterbox slot is certified fire rated and has been installed into said door accordingly?  

Would this not actually become a nominal FD30 in the absences of a specific test certificate of said specific door and letterbox combination? Given that both door and letterbox slot are fire rated - and installed accordingly ? Vs deemed non compliant?

Thanks in advance

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

The installer should consult the certification data sheet / technical manual for that particular make and type of door leaf before cutting the aperture and fitting the fire & smoke rated letter plate.  Where the relevant document does not permit such a letter plate, then the door manufacturer technical dept should be consulted. 

Where a letter plate has been fitted to a door where one is not permitted - this would be a 'non-compliance'.  It would not become a Nominal Fire Door.