Fire safety

The role of door hardware in the event of a fire

When fire strikes, it is crucial that all the components in a building work together to mitigate its impact – and door hardware has a significant role to play in this.

For the majority of fire doors, door closers (power size EN 3 as a minimum) must be fitted to ensure doors remain closed to compartmentalise the fire, protecting escape routes and minimising damage in the initial moments of a fire.  Fire doors that are kept locked do not require a door closer to be fitted but must have appropriate signage.  Then the fire intumescent seals and/or metal door must expand to fill any gaps and prevent the passage of smoke and flames. 

Other hardware vitally important to a fire doors ability to contain fire, are hinges, which must be CE marked for use on doors according to EN 1935.   If the door closer includes backcheck, allow for additional mass when selecting hinge grade to ensure a longer product life. Single point rim or mortice locks must be CE marked to EN 12209 if mechanical or EN 14846 if electromechanical.  Panic devices must be CE marked to EN 1125 while emergency devices are CE marked to EN 179.  Other architectural hardware items cannot be CE marked but it is vital to check that all hardware has fire evidence that matches the fire door spec it is being fitted to, including any intumescent protection around the hardware. 

Evacuation during a fire

Panic and emergency hardware plays a vital role in ensuring swift and safe evacuation during fires and not just in final exit doors. These devices, such as push bars, touch bars and panic bolts, provide easy access to exit routes, reducing panic and confusion. Emergency devices such as escape locks and selected lever sets that have been tested to EN 179, are ideal for internal doors on escape routes where users are familiar with the building layout. Their reliability and simplicity are crucial in minimising the time it takes for occupants to escape a burning building. By facilitating timely evacuation, panic and emergency hardware can help to prevent injuries and fatalities, making them essential components of fire safety systems.

Maintenance

Hardware has to be functioning properly to be able to protect properly, therefore regular inspections should be conducted. This will ensure that the hardware and fire doors are damage-free and functioning correctly therefore continue to protect building users from fire.

If issues are found, refer to the manufacture for guidance on how to repair/replace without compromising the fire door performance and building safety.

Only when all these elements are in place will your building be fully protected against the threat that fire poses.

A comprehensive guide to fire safety

Poor specification, installation, and maintenance can have devastating consequences, as the UK witnessed with the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. In that case, ambiguity around who had the responsibility for fire safety and maintenance led to a catastrophic event that could have been avoided.

Our Fire Doorsets white paper makes the responsibilities clear. It provides a comprehensive guide to specifying, installing, maintaining, and inspecting fire-certified doorsets in residential and commercial buildings. Download it here.

Maintaining the ‘Golden Thread’

Following the Grenfell fire, Dame Judith Hackitt released her ‘Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’. The report highlighted a lack of best practice and regulation, and recommended the creation of a ‘Golden Thread’ whereby everyone contributes to a continuous, reliable, and easily accessible record of building safety information throughout the building's lifecycle.

In line with the ‘Golden Thread’, our Openings Studio fire door inspection app revolutionises fire door inspections by digitising inspection reports and seamlessly moving the specification from design, through to construction and then maintenance.

Fire safety certification – what does it all mean?

Fire safety certification is critical to ensuring that all the components of a building, including the doors, meet stringent fire safety standards. Here are the main types:

  • CE/UKCA

    CE and UKCA is legal requirement in certain applications. This is especially important for hardware products, where CE/UKCA marking demonstrates compliance with safety regulations (like fire doors) and electromagnetic compatibility. To achieve CE and UKCA marking(s), manufacturers must undergo testing, certification, and provide a Declaration of Performance.

  • EN 1634-1

    The European standard for fire-resistance testing of door and shutter assemblies, EN 1634-1 covers a variety of door types. It tests doors when latched and unlatched, featuring different seal types, and with fire-resistance from 30 to 240 minutes.

  • Approved Document B

    Approved Document B provides guidance on fire safety matters within and around buildings erected in England – please refer to local requirements if working elsewhere in UK or further afield. It states that all door hardware must comply with EN 1634-1 and encourages fire compartmentalisation.

  • Certifire

    A third-party certification scheme, Certifire acts as a guarantee of the quality, reliability, and traceability of fire safety solutions.

Timber fire door sets

Often chosen for their aesthetic value, timber fire doors must deliver impeccable fire safety.

EN 1634-1 requires timber fire door sets to undergo stringent fire-resistance tests that prove they can contain fire and smoke for 30 to 120 minutes.  Doorsets are typically tested by the doorset manufacturer, complete with their preferred hardware and seals.  If creating your own door assembly, verify that all components have fire evidence to suit the application.

Fire door inspections

Fire door inspections are crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of buildings. Our team of BRE-certified inspectors will ensure that all your fire doors meet the required standards and regulations.