PART B · Fire safety
When do you need a fire door
A fire door is needed where the building's fire safety design requires a door to resist fire or smoke for a specified period or purpose. Common situations include protected escape routes and entrances to flats. The precise specification depends on the building and the role of the door.
Is every internal door a fire door
No. The requirement follows the fire strategy and applicable guidance. A door between two ordinary rooms may have a different role from one protecting a staircase or separating a flat from a communal corridor.
Ask the designer to identify required doors on the drawings rather than leaving the contractor to guess.
What makes a fire door work
The door leaf is only one component. The frame, clearances, hinges, seals, latch, glazing and any required closing device contribute to the assembly's performance. Installation must follow the relevant evidence and instructions.
A label on a door does not prove that the completed opening is compliant. Cutting unsuitable holes, changing hardware or using unverified glazing can undermine the intended performance.
Can I replace a flat entrance door myself
Check the building's management arrangements and fire strategy before changing it. The door may protect a communal escape route, and permissions or separate fire safety duties may apply.
Arrange a competent assessment of the whole opening. Choose a verified solution appropriate to the building rather than buying on appearance or a claimed fire rating alone.
What records should I keep
Retain product identification, performance evidence, fitting instructions and installation records. Record checks of operation, gaps and closing where relevant.
Fire doors should remain usable after occupation. Avoid wedging required self-closing doors open or making unapproved alterations. A building control completion record does not remove the need to maintain the protection the building relies on.