Whether you need fire door furniture for an existing fire door or a brand-new fire door, choosing the proper hardware is crucial. Your fire doors must be compliant, safe, and functional to keep you, your visitors, and your building safe. From building regulations and understanding the fire rating you need to certifications and hardware quality, here are our tips to consider when choosing your fire door furniture.
Get familiar with fire safety & building regulations.
Building and fire safety regulations ensure the safety of buildings and protect residents and visitors from the risks associated with fire. These regulations promote fire safety, structural integrity, and accessibility in buildings. Depending on your country, specific regulations may vary slightly, but they generally cover similar areas and outline the requirements for fire door furniture, including the types of furniture allowed, fire ratings, and any specific testing or certification requirements.
Know the fire rating you need.
You’ll need to make sure the fire door furniture you choose is suitable for your door's fire rating—typically 30 minutes or 60 minutes in a domestic setting. Your door furniture needs to maintain your fire door's integrity and not compromise its fire resistance capabilities.
Work out what fire door furniture you need.
Where are your fire doors located? How many people occupy your building? What’s the layout of your building, and does it have any accessibility needs? Common fire door furniture components include handles, locks, hinges, door closers and signage.
Check hardware certifications.
Choose fire door hardware that has been tested on a similar type door of the same standard as the door you’re fitting the furniture to and is certified to prove its fire resistance, durability, and reliability. To meet fire door regulations, your internal fire doors must have certified hardware. Fire safety isn't just about the door itself; it's about all the fire door furniture, too.
- Fire door hinges
Fire door hinges are made from metal with a high melting point, such as steel or stainless steel and must be CE-certified. It’s recommended your internal fire door has at least three hinges.
- Intumescent strips
Intumescent strips provide fire protection for the edges and frames of fire-rated timber doors.
- Fire & smoke seals
Silicone fire and smoke self-adhesive seals are fitted in the door frame across the head and down both sides of your fire door. Suitable for both steel and timber fire doors, our silicone teardrop fire and smoke self-adhesive seals are fire-rated to BS 476: Part 22:1987, BS EN 1634-1:2000 and BS EN 1634-3:2000. These fire and smoke seals provide up to 240 minutes of fire protection on steel fire doors and up to 60 minutes of fire protection on timber fire doors.
- Fire door signage
To meet UK Building Regulation requirements, you'll need a blue mandatory sign fitted to both sides of your fire doors to conform to BS 5499 Pt 4:2000
- Fire door closers
Your fire doors must be fitted with fire door closers to ensure they remain closed in the event of a fire and compartmentalise the building. A fire-rated door closer should be tested, certified, and regularly inspected and maintained along with the fire door itself. Our fire-rated door closers have achieved BS EN 1634-1:2000, and our wealth of knowledge as a long-established fire door furniture specialist means our team is always here to help you find the door closers you need.
Choose quality fire door furniture.
Your fire door hardware should be durable, corrosion-resistant, and able to withstand the stresses and temperatures associated with a fire.
Consider accessibility & safety.
Ensure your chosen fire door furniture components meet accessibility needs and promote safety for everyone. Make sure lever handles are easy to operate, especially for people with disabilities, as BS8300: 2009 and consider safety features such as panic hardware for emergency exits.
Not sure? Get advice.
If you're unsure about choosing the right fire door furniture, consult with a professional such as architect, fire safety consultant, or a door hardware specialist. An expert will give you the guidance you need, ensuring you comply with regulations and have effectively functioning and safe fire doors.
Order your fire door hardware today.
Whether you need door closers, fire seals, fire-rated hinges, or signage, our tried-and-tested specialist fire door furniture will help keep your building safe, secure, and compliant. Our wealth of knowledge as a long-established fire door hardware specialist means our team is always here to help you find the right fire door furniture. Visit zeroplus.co.uk or call us on 01785 282910.