Fire doors are an essential part of a building’s fire safety strategy. When correctly specified, installed and maintained, they can help slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving people more time to evacuate safely and helping to protect the building.
But fire doors aren’t simply a case of fitting a door and leaving it in place. The door, frame, hinges, seals, closers and associated hardware all need to work together as part of a properly installed fire door set.
If you’re considering fire door installation for your business or commercial premises, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
What Is a Fire Door?
A fire door is a specially designed door assembly that is intended to resist fire and, depending on its specification, smoke for a defined period.
Unlike a standard internal door, a fire door forms part of a building’s passive fire protection. When closed, it can help compartmentalise a building and slow the movement of fire and smoke between different areas.
Why Are Fire Doors Important?
Fire doors can play a critical role during a fire by helping to maintain fire-resistant compartments within a building.
They can:
- Help slow the spread of fire.
- Help restrict the movement of smoke.
- Provide protected escape routes.
- Give occupants more time to evacuate.
- Help protect important areas of a building.
- Support a property’s overall fire safety strategy.
However, a fire door can only perform as intended if it is correctly specified, installed and maintained.
Do Fire Doors Need Professional Installation?
Professional installation is strongly recommended.
A fire door is part of a complete assembly, meaning that simply purchasing a fire-rated door is not enough. The frame, hinges, intumescent seals, closer, glazing and other hardware may all need to meet the appropriate specification.
Incorrect installation can compromise the performance of the entire door set.
Using experienced professionals can help ensure that the door is suitable for its location and installed correctly.
How Long Does Fire Door Installation Take?
The time required depends on several factors, including the number of doors, the condition of the existing frames, the type of doors being installed and the complexity of the project.
A single replacement may be relatively straightforward, while a larger commercial premises could require a detailed survey and phased installation.
A professional assessment will allow the installation team to provide a more accurate timescale.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Checked?
Fire doors should be routinely inspected and maintained, with the frequency depending on the building, its use and the level of traffic through the doors.
High-use fire doors may experience greater wear and tear, particularly around hinges, closers and seals.
Checks should look for issues such as:
- Damaged or warped doors.
- Gaps around the door.
- Damaged or missing seals.
- Faulty door closers.
- Loose or damaged hinges.
- Damaged frames.
- Doors being wedged or propped open.
- Damage to glazing or other components.
If you notice a problem, it should be assessed and rectified promptly.
Can You Prop a Fire Door Open?
Generally, a fire door should not simply be wedged or propped open.
A fire door needs to be capable of closing when required. Propping it open can prevent it from performing its intended function during a fire.
Where a fire door needs to remain open for operational reasons, an appropriate hold-open or automatic release arrangement may be required, depending on the circumstances and the building’s fire strategy.
Do Fire Doors Need Fire Door Closers?
Many fire doors require a suitable self-closing device so that the door can close effectively when released.
The correct closer depends on the door and its location, and it needs to be correctly fitted and maintained.
A door that does not close properly should not be ignored, as this can affect its ability to provide effective protection.
Can an Existing Door Be Upgraded to a Fire Door?
This depends on the existing door and its construction.
In some circumstances, an existing door may be capable of being upgraded, but this should not be assumed. The complete door assembly needs to be suitable for the required fire performance.
A professional assessment can determine whether an existing door can be retained or whether replacement is the better option.
How Do I Know If My Business Needs New Fire Doors?
If you’re unsure about the condition or suitability of the fire doors within your premises, a professional inspection is a good place to start.
Signs that a fire door may need attention include visible damage, missing seals, doors that no longer close correctly, damaged hardware or significant gaps around the door.
Changes to your building’s layout or use may also mean that your existing fire doors need to be reviewed.
Why Choose Professional Fire Door Installation?
Fire doors are an important component of passive fire protection, so installation shouldn’t be treated as a simple maintenance job.
A professional service can help you identify the right door specification, assess existing door sets, install the required components correctly and advise on ongoing maintenance.
For businesses, this can provide greater confidence that their fire doors are appropriate for the premises and form part of a wider fire safety strategy.
Need Fire Door Installation or Advice?
Whether you need a single fire door replaced or are reviewing fire protection across an entire commercial property, getting professional advice can help you make the right decision.
If you’re unsure whether your fire doors are suitable, damaged or due for replacement, speak to our experienced team today.
We can assess your requirements and provide professional advice on fire door installation, replacement and ongoing fire safety.
