Modern flatted properties are usually fitted with external fireproof doors as standard and most of these are Flush Fire Doors, this is due to our greater understanding of the importance of preventing and containing a blaze to allow the maximum time possible to vacate a burning building.
Why do I need to fit fire doors?
Fire Door Sizes:
Internal fire doors will in lots of instances have at least 3 sizes but in most styles we are able to offer a choice of several sizes and two thicknesses including the 30 minute fire doors or the 60 minute fire doors, the latter is only available in a handful of options, fire door regulations are stringent, make sure you choose wisely.
There are many door sizes on the market but our fire doors can from time to time include 1981x610mm, 1981x686mm, 1981x762mm, 1981x838mm and 2032x813mm all of which are 45mm thick if 30 minute rated, we then have true metric sizes, these are door sizes that are all 2040mm high and are 40mm thick, they include 2040x626mm, 2040x726mm, 2040x826mm and in some instances 2040x926mm, all fire doors whether prefinished or unfinished will be 45mm thick for a 30 minute fire door to 54mm thick for a less popular 60 minute fire rated door.
Fire doors - testing facts:
All our fire doors including glazed fire doors are certified and our door suppliers are able to provide proof of performance showing the door successfully completed a rigorous fire test to the BS 476 Part 22 standard or the European equivalent BS EN 1634, the fire door pairs are shown to allow you to visualise how they would look but any certification relates to a single door and a dialogue should be undertaken with your planning and/or fire officer as to the requirements for compliance.
All Building regulations specify the requirements for even the fitting of cheap fire doors or any other fire resisting doors to protect occupants for a minimum time which is expressed in minutes, either 20, 30, 60 minutes etc, most of the time tradesmen will use the term FD30 and FD60 which relates directly to 30 minute and 60 minute ratings.
We have been asked on numerous occasions to source or supply 35mm fire doors but to date, we have not been able to obtain any 35mm fire doors that would match or comply with the fire testing requirements that all fire doors must match or exceed during testing.
The fire doors including oak fire doors, glazed fire doors or any other internal fire doors are tested as a complete assembly including fire door frames, intumescent seals and essential ironmongery and can only be guaranteed if the tested design is replicated with the correct compatible components, Please ask for a copy of the test evidence when fitting these doors.
Our fire doors are contained in several categories which may also have sub categories which include fire doors with glass, panel fire doors, flush fire doors, bespoke fire doors, fire door pairs with panels, flush fire door pairs and glazed fire door pairs, we can also supply some fire rated exterior doors.
This range of fire doors covers a massive variety of styles and sizes that we hope will meet your expectations, the very heavy 60-minute fire doors are included in our UK wide free mainland delivery service.
Interior fire doors are primarily designed to restrict the spread of fire and are required to perform three main functions:
- To protect all escape routes from the effects of fire (including smoke) so occupants can leave safely
- To protect the contents and/or structure of the building by limiting the fire spread (an insurance requirement)
- To permit fire fighting to be carried out safely
Detailed Construction of fire doors and Fire door Frames:
FD30 (30 minutes) glass fire doors, panelled fire doors or flush fire doors are usually 45mm thick, as opposed to the standard door thickness of 35 mm, there is absolutely no point in fitting fire door frames if you then fit a standard non-fire door, we all have our opinions on what is reasonable when it comes to fire door regulations but the facts are that you must comply, not to do so would be costly.
FD60 (60 minute) fire doors are not cheap fire doors due to their lack of choice and the required construction methods, they are most commonly used in commercial settings and are normally 54mm thick. Specially constructed fire doors can have a rating of 4 hours or more, this is very much dependent on fitting ALL of the correct materials, our suggestion with such a heavy fire door is to fit 4 hinges with two of the hinges being fitted nearer each other at the top edge of the door.
Most UK fireproof doors have a solid core construction which can include: particleboard, chipboard, flax board and solid timber. The assembly can vary greatly, some have a timber framing around the core with a laminated veneer, others have a lipping (5-20mm thick) around the core with a veneer on top and in some cases, a plywood, veneer or MDF facing is glued on to the core without framing or lipping's. There is no preferred or regulated construction method and no need for one as long as the desired fire rating is achieved.
Fire rated doors must be fitted with approved intumescent strips which play a crucial part in achieving the rating if you wish to adhere strictly to achieve the test results but our experience is that each planning authority accepts the fire rated doors on their own in terms of compliance with planning when fitted retrospectively.
When subjected to heat, the intumescent strips expand and seal the gap between the door edge and the frame. Intumescent seals can be fitted within the door frame or grooved into the internal fire doors edge. Advice on the intumescent strips can be obtained from the test evidence report, available from the door supplier or manufacturer
The material from which the fire door frames are constructed (e.g. softwood, hardwood or MDF), as well as its section sizes, must comply with the required standards. Furthermore, essential hardware (ironmongery) must also have its’ own individual test evidence to show fitness for purpose.
Our range of fire doors:
Our Panel Fire Doors in these categories are suitable for use in both flats and houses and will suit a wide range of needs, whatever your home’s décor. It is important to us that these internal fire doors or external fire doors satisfy the most rigorous of fire regulations whilst also looking great.
Modern flatted properties are usually fitted with external fireproof doors as standard and most of these are Flush Fire Doors, this is due to our greater understanding of the importance of preventing and containing a blaze to allow the maximum time possible to vacate a burning building.
Please remember some planning authorities require intumescent fire and smoke seals to be fitted to the top and sides of any of the above internal fire doors, they may also want door stops to be 25mm thick and some form of closer may be required, hinges also have to measure up to suitable fire rated standards, there is no escape (no pun intended) if the wrong hinge is used.
Just to remind you, our FD30 fire rated doors, including Fire Doors with Glass are usually 45mm thick whilst those rated FD60 are 54mm thick, please make allowances for the correct frame when purchasing these fire doors and note that most doors are supplied in a range of materials including white primed, oak, cherry, ash, walnut and mahogany.
Information and guidance on adding Fire & Smoke seals.
Contact us for more info if required when using any of our example fire door pairs, these are two individual doors visualised as a pair, all fire door fitting should be cleared with your local planning or fire officer.