A Beginners Guide to Fire Door Installation

Fire doors are a crucial part of the fire safety protocol in many buildings and form an essential part of any standard fire protection strategy. Nevertheless, you must ensure they work correctly in order to be fully effective. The installation of fire doors is as crucial as the product specification itself and needs to be carried out by someone who is a professional in this field, it must be specifically trained to install fire doors and realise their responsibilities in getting it right. All fire third-party certificated fire doors need to be supplied with installation instructions that are specific to the product itself. Installation methods and materials need to change depending on a number of factors, including product type and installation environment and so it is vital that these are referred to and adhered to. 

With this in mind, here in this blog, we are going to talk you through the process of installing a fire door and give you an overview of what you need to know. 

Fire door or normal door - what is the difference?

If a fire door is made by a certified manufacturer, with the compatible parts, and certified by an accredited third party, it should be able to hold back a fire for up to 30 minutes or more. Also, the components – hinges, seals, handles and glazing – are as crucial as the door itself. This is because, in the incident of a fire, doors can warp, move and allow smoke and fire through its opening. The seals and the gaps between the door frame and the wall are essential too. They also stop smoke and fire spreading as quickly.

How to install and maintain

Fire doors are engineered safety doors that are created to protect people and property. They need to be installed correctly by qualified personnel and often maintained to make sure optimum performance in the event of a fire. Failure to comply with the regulations can end in a two-year prison sentence or a substantial fine. Significantly, it could indicate the difference between life and death for the occupants.

Fire risk assessors often report back on how frequently they visit buildings where the right fire doors have been installed but fitted inadequately. Modifications are another fairly frequent issue that can impact on the integrity of a fire door, an example when fitting a glazed panel as per Building Regulations requirements.

What do you need to know when installing a fire door?

There are four key factors to take into consideration when installing a fire exit door:

Certified for peace of mind

All certified fire doors are detailed with installation instructions that need to be followed to the letter. A third-party certification body will approve this guidance and it is essential to the continued safety and security of the door itself. Remember that the other components such as hinges, closers and so on, must be CE marked and compatible with a specific fire door.

Modification means de-certification

Any modifications to a fire door, for example, installing glazed vision panels, new frames and seals. This will make the existing certification null and void. Having the specification right at the start of the process is the easiest way to make sure your fire door is safe and fully adhering to legislation.

Mind the gap

It is essential to make sure that there is a correct gap around the perimeter of a fire door so that the intumescent seals carry out as required. A constant 3-4mm gap around the doorframe is recommended, any bigger smoke may be able to get through in the event of a fire. 

Closer and closer to fire protection

The closer on a fire door needs to ensure that it closes completely after use at all times. Fire doors will never be propped open, even in busy locations, as this is both a danger and illegal.

Quick checklist: fire door maintenance

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that fire doors in all types of building are regularly checked and maintained in order to ensure an effective operation. 

Some key questions to ask as part of your regular maintenance programme could include:

● Is there any damage to the door or frame or holes?

● Is the door frame attached to the wall firmly?

● Are all seals, hinges, locks, screws etc. present and in proper working order?

● Are all glazed vision panels free of cracking?

● Is there a constant 3-4mm gap around the door?

● Are the intumescent seals in place and attached around the frame?

Who needs a fire door?

You need to have a fire door fitted in your property if your home has more than two levels. Loft conversions count as an additional level for this reason. Any door that leads to a stairwell should be a fire door if the door leads to a so-called, habitable room. There needs to be a fire door between your home and your garage, but, if your home is a mixed-use building then there needs to be a fire door separating the residential area from the business area.

What else is required?

A proper and functional fire door is way more than just a door; the door installation includes the door leaf, the doorstop, the frame, smoke seals, and other essential factors such as hinges, latches, closers and locks. All of these must be the third party certified, fully functional and installed correctly for the door to be effective. As well, they must be compatible with each other. An ill-fitting hinge or a closer that is too weak for the door could render the door ineffective.

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors - New Fire Doors 

Fire doors don’t have to be purely functional. If you have customers moving through your building, you’re probably particularly concerned about keeping your premises attractive. Fortunately, we have a huge range of door styles on offer and can apply fire-resistant paint in your company colours. Different types of fire rated doors can withstand fire for different lengths of time. For a low-risk property, you may want to settle for an FD30 fire door, which will seal a corridor against fire and smoke for 30 minutes. 

We offer much stronger doors though, which can protect your premises for hours, dramatically reducing damage to your property. We can provide you with all of the services and products you need. We can supply a number of products, from electric to roller garage doors, in the Royston and Mildenhall areas. Our team of professionals have over five decades of experience between them and will be able to arrive at your property, discuss your needs, provide you with a quote and then build a bespoke door for you To find out more about the services we offer, please visit our website or get in touch to find out more. We’d be delighted to help! You can also call us for quality fire exit doors, please feel free to give us a ring on 01638 718 718 (Mildenhall) or 01763 250777 (Royston).