Louise Frost from Door Controls Direct takes us through key fire door ironmongery checks, to help keep all facilities safe and secure.
Fire doors aren’t installed for privacy, for air management, or even to restrict or control access. They’re life safety measures.
The correct specification, installation, and maintenance of these life-saving barriers needs to be a top priority.
With a continued national and regional focus on passive fire safety, we’ve compiled a quick checklist to make sure that the fire rated doors you oversee are compliant, and that they stay that way.
1. HINGES
A minimum of three CE marked hinges must be used to hang a single leaf fire rated door. All fixings must be present and suitably tightened. There should be no sign of oil leakage or metal fragments.
2. DOOR CLOSERS
On “keep shut” fire doors, a controlled closing device tested to BS EN 1154 is crucial. Check it is CE marked. Install closers at a minimum power size EN 3. The arm must be securely fixed to the closer body and frame. All fixings must be present and secure.
3. HOLD OPEN DEVICES
The link to the fire alarm must be tested to ensure the door releases. Look for wear. If it is a separate door holder, not an electromagnetic door closer with hold open function, check it is securely fixed.
4. LOCKS & LATCHES
If required, they must be fitted with intumescent protection. They must be correctly installed and easy to use to ensure operational safety. Check for poorly fitting latches, and any signs of wear.
5. DOOR FURNITURE
Check that items are appropriately fixed and that all bolts and screws are tightly in place. When released, the handle should readily return to its horizontal position. Doors must correctly latch into the frame after each and every use.
6. INTUMESCENT SEALS
Intumescent strip plays a vital part in stopping the transfer of smoke and expands when exposed to heat to seal gaps. Seals should not show any signs of wear and must be well attached. They need to form a continuous seal around the frame – no gaps or breaks.
7. EMERGENCY EXIT HARDWARE
Emergency exit devices must be CE marked, have the correct accreditation, and be tested regularly. Products are tested together to ensure compliance with applicable regulations so ensure all components fitted have been tested together, this includes outside access devices.
8. SIGNAGE
Signage should be securely fixed in place, visible, legible, and at a set, standardised height. They could be “keep clear”, “keep shut”, “keep locked”, or advise of automatic closers. This also covers informational and directional signs.
Door and Frame Checks
The right hardware, correctly fitted and well maintained, plays a part in the effectiveness of passive fire safety measures, but the door and frame assembly also need to be up to spec.
- Fire certification labels or plugs – check the head of the door or along the hinge side for the fire rating – is it correct to what is needed?
- Vision panels and transfer grilles – anything cut into or through the thickness of the door must be compliant and in full working order.
- Door leaf – is it in a good state of repair and constructed of the correct materials?
- Gaps – 2-4mm between the door and frame, and 8mm between the door and floor (3mm on a cold smoke control door). Are they within the required limits?
- Access – fire doors should never be secured or blocked to prevent use. Make sure the area around them remains free of obstruction or hazards.
Last Call for Safety
Fire safety regulations dictate regular checks on fire rated doors. The regulations cover frequency, but this also needs to factor in your facility’s risk assessment.
When conducting the inspections, check all hardware elements, plus the door and frame, for any signs of wear and tear and replace or report any issues. Test whether the door closes correctly from different opening angles. It needs to close against any latch fitted. All hardware should be fixed correctly, and fully operational.
At Door Controls Direct we take great pride in pledging our support to the Fire Door Safety Week campaign every year. We encourage you to ask yourself: are the fire doors that you encounter up to spec, and ready to protect?
