Fire doors are an essential architectural safety component. Designed to halt the spread of fire and smoke within a building, they provide crucial evacuation time and help to keep damage to a minimum. Fire doors are engineered to withstand fire for specific durations, generally ranging from 30 minutes (FD30) to 60 minutes (FD60). They come in various sizes and styles and are designed for a variety of applications.
However, in order for fire doors to work effectively, they need to be properly installed. Poorly installed doors may not meet the required standard and could put buildings and the people who use them at risk. Here, we take a look at commercial fire door installation and how you can ensure the buildings you design, use or manage are as safe and secure as possible.
Professional Installation
Professionals know how to install fire doors so they’re solid, safe and up to standard. People less familiar with fire doors and their specifications may leave excessive gaps between the wall and doorset, compromising the integrity of the door and reducing its ability to contain flames and smoke.
All fire doors are legally required to be installed in compliance with building codes such as Approved Document B. This means that, as well as putting the building and its occupants at risk, incorrect installation could result in serious legal consequences.
Preparing For Installation
Before installing fire doors, professionals need to gather the correct tools and materials for the job. This includes fire-rated fixings, intumescent strips, smoke seals and fire-rated expanding foam, such as Blue60. Selecting tools and materials that are up to standard will help ensure that the finished installation meets all relevant regulations.
A thorough site assessment should also be carried out as part of the preparation phase. The door frame should be accurately measured to ensure the fire door fits properly in the aperture. It’s recommended to have gaps between 2mm and 4mm around the top and sides, and a maximum of 8mm at the bottom of the door.
Installing Fire Doors
Once the door frame is in place and secure, the fire door can be hung using the correct number of fire-rated hinges. This ensures the door is able to open and close smoothly while maintaining proper perimeter gaps.
Fire-rated hardware, such as intumescent strips and smoke seals, must be installed to maximise resistance to smoke and flames. Any gaps between the doorset and wall should be filled with appropriate fire-stopping materials such as Blue60 foam.
Testing And Maintenance
Post- installation, fire doors need to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure they’re up to standard. During an inspection, the self-closing devices on the fire doors should be checked to make sure they’re working efficiently. It’s also important to check that seals are intact and that the door closes securely. If any damage to the door, frame, seals, hinges or any other element of the installation is found, it should be fixed as soon as possible.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
The most common mistakes made when installing fire doors include:
- Misaligned doors
- Doors that don’t close correctly
- Excessive gaps around the door leaf
- Ignoring manufacturer guidelines
- Not using fire-rated materials
All of these mistakes can reduce the fire door’s ability to withstand smoke and flames. For example, gaps exceeding 2mm to 4mm at the sides or top of a door, or 8mm at the bottom ( or gaps no larger than 3mm if BS EN 1634 - 3 Smoke control is required) can significantly compromise the fire resistance of the door.
If you’d like to find out more about the proper installation of fire doors or learn about the fire-resistant products we offer, contact us and speak to a member of our team today.
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