How To Fit A Fire Door

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Fire doors play an essential role in fire safety strategies. In many commercial buildings, fire door installation is likely to be required as the result of a fire risk assessment, which is also a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. However, fitting a fire door is very different to fitting a normal internal door.

In this blog, we explore how to fit a fire door in more detail and why you should leave the installation process to a fully trained and qualified professional. First let’s take a look at how fire doors actually work.

How do fire doors work?

Fire doors are designed to withstand flames and smoke for a certain length of time – usually anything between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on their rating. They give everyone in the building extra valuable time to evacuate safely in the event of a fire. They help to contain the fire within a specific area, allowing for more time for firefighters to arrive and prevent the fire from spreading further and causing greater damage.

A fire door is made of fire resistant material, including any glazing and ironmongery. Each edge of the door contains an intumescent strip that will expand when exposed to heat, filling the space between the door and the frame. This seal prevents the fire from spreading to other parts of the building or premises.

For the door to work optimally, the fire door must be kept closed at all times and should be fitted with an automatic closer, with a sign on each side to clearly indicate that it is a fire door. 

Where are fire doors required?

In order to comply with building regulations, domestic buildings with more than two storeys must have fire doors fitted between any habitable room and a stairwell, as well as other communal areas. They also should be installed in loft conversions, and between a house and an integral garage.

As per fire safety regulations, commercial buildings should be divided into ‘compartments’ to protect escape routes and prevent a fire from spreading. Compartmentation and required locations for fire doors will be specified as part of a comprehensive fire risk assessment.

How to fit a fire door

In order to fit a fire door correctly, it’s crucial to have the necessary experience and training. So if you’re thinking about installing a fire door yourself and you don’t have the right training, it’s highly recommended you don’t.

This is because fire door installation is nothing like fitting a normal internal door. There are so many extra elements you need to make sure are right first to ensure it’s going to work effectively in the event of a fire. 

When your building is inspected by your local Fire and Rescue Service, a thorough fire door inspection will be included as part of the process. If yours are not fitted in accordance with fire safety and building regulations, you will almost certainly be required to rectify them. You may also face the possible threat of closure of your building if it’s not completed within a certain timeframe.

Who should carry out fire door installation?

A fire door must be fitted by a fully trained person who is competent to do the job properly. Although there isn’t a formal qualification, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that the work should be carried out by “someone with sufficient training and experience, qualifications and knowledge to be able to implement fire safety measures (some or all) in a building”.

When you’re choosing professional fire doors installers, make sure you’re selecting a competent person or company, like Hoyles Fire & Safety, that has the knowledge, experience, and certification to install fire doors. You can check online reviews to help with your decision, as well as looking at the accreditations of providers for peace of mind. Ultimately, you want to ensure they adhere to industry standards along with helping you comply with fire safety regulations. 

Speak to our professionals for your fire door installation

At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we’re experienced fire doors installers and carry out installations to the strict high standards required to not only keep you safe, but also make sure you’re fully compliant with fire safety legislation. We also carry out ongoing fire door maintenance to make sure your fire doors continue to protect you for years into the future.

We’re members of a number of industry bodies, including the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association (IFEDA), and The British Fire Consortium. We can help businesses in Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, and beyond enhance their fire safety and ensure they’re compliant.

If you’d like to learn more about our fire door installation and maintenance services, get in touch with our friendly experts today who are on hand to help advise and assist.

FAQs about how to fit a fire door

Do I need a certified installer to fit a fire door?

Unless you possess the correct experience and training to fit a fire door, it’s highly recommended to use certified fire doors installers, like Hoyles Fire & Safety, to ensure it meets the required fire safety standards. Incorrect fitting can reduce the door’s effectiveness in containing fire and can also mean you’re in breach of fire regulations.

Do I need to install any signage on the fire door?

Yes, fire doors require signage such as “Fire Door Keep Shut” on both sides of the door, particularly in commercial buildings. This helps ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and ensures the fire doors work effectively in the event of a fire.

Do I need a fire-rated door closer?

Yes, many fire doors require automatic door closers to ensure they remain shut when not in use. This is vital in maintaining the door’s fire-resistant properties and ensures it works properly if a fire breaks.

By Hoyles Fire and Safety Ltd

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