Important Notice
22/08/2025 v2
This is an important notice to customers of Pacific Door Systems Limited (PDS) as well as businesses or personnel who may engage with or utilise PDS products such as installers or end-users.
PDS recently became aware of a contamination issue (involving asbestos fibres) impacting one of the categories of fire-rated door ‘cores’ previously used by PDS in production of Pyropanel fire-rated doors.
The issue is being investigated, but in the meantime PDS is publishing this notice for transparency and informing relevant parties as part of steps to help ensure safe working and handling practices in connection with fire-rated doors that may be impacted. Note that PDS is now utilising in relevant manufacturing a core from a different supplier in replacement for the core the subject of the contamination event.
Below is further information in relation to this issue:
Which fire-rated doors/components may be impacted?
PDS understands the issue has impacted a product known as ‘FRB board’ or ‘FRB core’, which is manufactured by a third party outside of New Zealand.
FRB core is a product that PDS and other manufacturers in both Australia and New Zealand use in the manufacturing of certain Pyropanel fire-rated doors.
For PDS, the fire-rated doors it manufactured using FRB core and that formed part of PDS’ range at the time the issue came to its attention are listed here (referred to in the remainder of this notice as “Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Door Categories”).
It is important to stress that FRB core and the Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Door Categories do not 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 manufacturer.
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.
Since the issue first came to the attention of PDS and related entities in Australia, a significant volume of testing of samples of FRB core already held ‘in stock’ has occurred, with only a small percentage of such tested product reported as containing asbestos.
Initially, it was thought from these testing results and other available information that the contamination issue may primarily have impacted only more recently imported FRB core.
However, PDS has now become aware that a single fire-rated door manufactured and supplied by PDS around 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 by PDS is occurring in order that the scope issue can be better understood.
| While the scope of the contamination issue remains under investigation, it will be prudent to handle any doors in the Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Door Categories as if they could contain asbestos, out of an abundance of caution.
PDS understands 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 PDS Fire Door Categories be planned, then the safety-related considerations raised by the information above will obviously need to be taken into account.
PDS would suggest obtaining the latest guidance from WorkSafe New Zealand or other experts in this context regarding such works, and also link here and here to some documentation that may be instructive. |
How did PDS become aware of this issue?
The issue came to the attention of PDS 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?
PDS are in contact with both Worksafe New Zealand and MBIE in relation to these matters.
What are the next steps?
As mentioned above, PDS and its related entities in Australia 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, PDS will be prioritising contacting those customers to whom it has supplied fire-rated doors in the Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Door Categories and where, according to PDS’ records, it appears works on the doors (such as installation of door hardware) may potentially not be complete. 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 who may be working on the doors / site.
In relation to sites where work on relevant doors has already been completed, as mentioned above we understand that while the doors remain in situ 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. Enquiries can be sent to support.pacificdoors@assaabloy.com
Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Doors:
· VP120 - Pacific VP120 Premium Fire Door -/120/60sm | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP120DA - Pacific VP120DA Double Action Door Set -/120/60sm | Pacific Doors
· VP120S - Pacific VP120-S Premium Sliding Fire Door Set -/120/30 | Pacific Doors
· VP240S - Pacific VP240-S Premium Sliding Fire Door Set -/240/30 | Pacific Doors
· VP30 - Pacific VP30 Premium Fire Door | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP30DA - Pacific VP30DA Premium Double Action Fire Door -/30/30 sm | Pacific Doors
· VP30HR - Pacific VP30HR Door Set -/30/30sm | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP60 - Pacific VP60 Premium Fire Door -/60/60sm | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP60DA - Pacific VP60DA Premium Double Action Fire Door -/60/60 sm | Pacific Doors
· VP60HR - Pacific VP60HR Door Set -/60/60sm | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP60S - Pacific VP60-S Premium Sliding Fire Door Set -/60/30 | Pacific Doors
· VP90 - Pacific VP90 Premium Fire Door -/90/60sm | Pacific Doors Systems | Pacific Doors
· VP90S - Pacific VP90-S Premium Sliding Fire Door Set -/90/30 | Pacific Doors
Note:
- As explained in the notice, the scope of the contamination issue is still under investigation. If PDS becomes aware that fire-rated doors other than those referenced above have (or are likely to have) been impacted, it will update this notice accordingly.
- It continues to appear that the contamination event as it has impacted FRB core in New Zealand and Australia is not ‘uniform’ and therefore should only have affected a portion of the fire-rated doors within the Potentially Impacted PDS Fire Door Categories that were manufactured in the period at issue (with the precise time period at issue still being investigated).