Important Notice
22/08/2025
This is an important notice to businesses and personnel who engage with or utilise Pyropanel products such as installers or end-users relating to the potential presence of asbestos.
We recently became aware of a contamination issue (involving asbestos fibres) impacting one of the categories of fire-rated door ‘cores’ previously used in the production of certain Pyropanel fire-rated doors in Australia and New Zealand.
The issue is currently being investigated, but in the meantime we are publishing this notice for transparency and informing relevant parties as part of steps to help ensure safe working and handling practices in connection with the relevant ‘core’ product and any fire-rated doors that may be impacted.
Below is further information in relation to this issue:
Which fire-rated doors/components may be impacted?
The issue has impacted a product known as ‘FRB board’ or ‘FRB core’, which is manufactured by a third party outside of Australia.
We have previously sourced FRB core from that particular supplier, and we then on-supplied it to certain licensees and distributors authorised to use the product in the manufacturing/supply of the following categories of Pyropanel fire-rated doors:
- FRB MAXI SI - 48mm nominal thick, single leaf hinged door - sizes up to 2400x920 or 2100x1120;
- FRB M14 Sliding Fire Door (PSFD120-80 and PSFD240-80) - 80mm nominal thick, up to 4hr fire resistance - all sizes; and
- FRB M13 Sliding Fire Door (PSFD120-65) - 60mm nominal thick, up to 2 hr fire resistance - all sizes,
(referred to in the remainder of this notice as “Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories”).
Doors in these Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories that are manufactured by licensees/distributors may be marketed and sold by them under different names. The manufacturer’s details for each fire-rated door should be listed on the tag attached to the door assembly, allowing that manufacturer to be contacted where it is appropriate to determine if the door falls into one of the Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories and thus may have been constructed using FRB core.
It is important to stress that neither the FRB core, nor any Pyropanel fire-rated doors, contain asbestos ‘by design’. Instead, this is a contamination event in relation to which an explanation and more information is being sought from the relevant third-party supplier.
What is the impact of this contamination issue on fire-rated doors/FRB core products already supplied?
As noted above, this issue is still under investigation.
It is clear that not all FRB core products have been contaminated with asbestos.
Since the issue first came to our attention, a significant volume of testing of samples of FRB core that we and various licensees already held ‘in stock’ has occurred, with only a small percentage of such tested product reported as containing asbestos.
Initially, our belief from these testing results and other available information that the contamination issue may primarily have impacted only more recently imported FRB core.
Whilst this belief was correct at the time, we have now become aware that a single fire-rated door manufactured and supplied by a licensee in New Zealand approximately one year ago has, when tested, reported findings of asbestos in the FRB core.
Further testing of samples of the FRB core in fire-rated doors previously manufactured and supplied utilising FRB core is occurring in order that the scope issue can be better understood.
While the scope of the contamination issue remains under investigation, and out of an abundance of caution, it will be prudent to handle any doors in the Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories as if they could contain asbestos.
We understand that the doors should pose no risks while they remain ‘in situ’ with the FRB core fully encapsulated. However, should invasive or similar works on Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories be planned, then the safety-related considerations raised by the information above will need to be taken into account. We would suggest obtaining the latest guidance from local ‘WorkSafe’ bodies and other experts in this context regarding such works.
How did Pyropanel become aware of this issue?
The issue came to our attention when some FRB core recently imported into Australia (and, subsequently, New Zealand) was tested and found to contain asbestos.
Samples of FRB core product had previously been the subject of testing and reported and certified as not containing any asbestos, so there was no prior indication of any issue.
Have any relevant authorities been informed?
We and various licensees are in contact with a range of Worksafe and other bodies in relation to these matters.
What are the next steps?
As mentioned above, we are continuing to investigate these issues, including to seek to better understand the scope of FRB core product/batches and supply time periods impacted.
Relevant updates to this notice will follow as clarifying details become available.
In addition to publishing this notice, we are and will continue to be working with licensees/distributors to prioritise provision of information directly to those customers to whom supply of fire-rated doors in the Potentially Impacted Fire Door Categories has occurred. The purpose of that communication will include to ensure those customers are aware of this notice and that the notice information should be on-provided to relevant parties including those who may relevantly handle or work on or around the doors (such as door hardware installers) so that safe working practices can be ensured.
While any impacted fire doors remain ‘in situ’, we understand they should not pose any material new safety risks. We will be updating regarding relevant arrangements in relation to such doors once we understand what further actions may be appropriate for them.
Thank you for your understanding as we work through these matters and please contact support.pyropanel@assaabloy.com for any further information.