Fire Door Installation in Norwich and throughout Norfolk – SAB Group

Fire door installation can be the difference between a fire spreading and being contained. As UK Fire Door Training explains, fire doors are specially engineered devices that:

“Work on the principle of compartmentalisation by dividing large spaces into smaller, fire-resistant compartments to prevent or slow the spread of fire and smoke within a building. This gives occupants time to seek refuge and firefighters the chance to put out the fire.”

Despite the clear importance of proper fire door installations, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) in 2021 discovered 75% of more than 100,000 UK fire doors failed to meet required standards. This suggests a large number of business and property owners do not have fire-rated doors that comply with UK law.

There are two main types of fire door: the FD30 fire door and the FD60 fire door, designed to withstand fire for 30 and 60 minutes respectively. The ability of both FD30 and FD60 fire doors to perform this function relies on correct fire door installation. It also requires ongoing (ideally monthly) fire door inspection and maintenance.

Addressing these matters proactively saves substantial costs and greatly reduces the potential for a critical failure that endangers lives and property.

Proper fire door installation is essential for ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations and protecting lives and property. Below, we outline the 5 key steps involved in installing a fire door correctly.

1. Installing the Fire Door Frame

   The door frame is a key part of the fire door system, providing structure and support for the door leaf.

   Fire doors are made from different core materials; as such, installation requirements for frames can vary, meaning you should follow the door leaf manufacturer’s instructions carefully. These typically detail elements such as fixing points, architrave, frame material, hinges, intumescent seals, frame construction, ironmongery, and door stops.

   Start by securing the frame corners together, and drill pilot holes to prevent splitting. Make sure all joints are tight and square, and allow any adhesive to set fully before proceeding.

   When fixing the frame to the supporting structure, place frame fixings 100mm from the corners and at no more than 500mm intervals. Check that all fixings penetrate at least 50mm into the wall, and fill any gaps between the frame and supporting structure with an intumescent sealant (fire mastic) or fire-rated packers to maintain fire resistance.

   Finally, remember to check the fire door frame’s FD rating—this must have the same FD rating as the fire door itself.

2. Installing the Fire Door Leaf and Hinge

   Once the fire door frame is securely installed, the next step is to hang the fire door leaf correctly. Proper installation of the door leaf and hinges ensures fire resistance and compliance with fire safety regulations.

   1. Selecting and Preparing Fire Door Hinges

      Unlike standard doors, fire doors require a minimum of three fire-rated hinges that meet strict safety standards. These hinges must be CE-marked or UKCA-marked to BS EN 1935; they must also have a durability grade of 11 to withstand the extreme conditions of a fire.

      Before installing the hinge, ensure you have the correct size and type of fixing screws, as recommended by the hinge manufacturer. Using improper screws can compromise the integrity of the fire door assembly.

   2. Installing Fire Door Hinges and Hanging the Fire Door Leaf

      For a secure and compliant fit, follow these steps when installing fire door hinges:

      1. Mark Fire Door Hinge Positions

         When machining the frame and fire door leaf, start from the top down, as this helps with accurate hinge placement. Be careful not to over-mortice the timber, which can weaken the door’s structure.

      2. Fit Intumescent Hinge Pads

         During a fire, hinges can exceed 800°C. To protect the timber and maintain fire resistance, manufacturers recommend using intumescent hinge pads behind each hinge. Similarly, avoid using combustible materials such as plastic or cardboard.

      3. Attach Fire Door Hinges Securely

         Fix the hinges to the fire door leaf, making sure they are flush with the surface, then secure the hinges to the frame using the correct fixing screws. Each hinge should be firmly fixed, with all screws fully tightened.

      4. Check Fire Door Alignment and Gaps

         When hanging the fire door leaf, maintain consistent gaps around the door to ensure proper sealing and fire resistance. For the top and vertical edges of the fire door, this should be 2mm-4mm, while the meeting edge of double-leaf doors should be a maximum of 3.5mm.

         Likewise, make sure the threshold gap between the bottom of the fire door and the floor is no greater than 3mm for FD30 or FD60 fire doors with smoke control, in line with BS 8214.

         Some fire doors have minimal tolerance for misalignment—in some cases just 1mm—so always check the manufacturer’s datasheet for specific requirements.

      5. Final Fire Door Hinge and Leaf Checks

         Double-check the door leaf sits flush within the frame and does not stand proud at any point. We suggest using a taper gauge tool to verify all gaps meet certification requirements. Remember, a correctly installed fire door should operate smoothly while maintaining a tight seal when closed.

By following these steps, you can ensure your business’s fire doors are correctly installed and fully compliant with UK fire door regulations, ultimately enhancing fire protection and safeguarding lives and property.

• Fire Door Ironmongery

  Make sure any additional ironmongery (such as locks, latches, door closers, and handles) is compatible with the fire door, is CE-marked, and is installed in line with the manufacturer’s specifications. Always use the fixings provided and refer to the certificate data sheet for correct placement and materials.

  If the installation requires morticing, avoid excessive removal of timber, noting that any over-morticing must be repaired with non-combustible materials to maintain the door’s fire resistance.

  Some fire doors require intumescent protection around lock cases or flush bolts—information typically specified in the manufacturer’s documentation.

• Intumescent Strips and Smoke Seals

  Fire doors require a small gap between the door and frame to allow for smooth operation (see 2.2.4. above). However, in a fire, these gaps could enable flames and smoke to spread.

  Intumescent strips solve this problem: by expanding under heat, they seal this gap; likewise, smoke seals prevent smoke infiltration before the fire intensifies. As with other fire door parts, intumescent strips and smoke seals should be sourced from reputable manufacturers and carry third-party certification.

  If the door leaf or frame does not have pre-cut grooves for intumescent strips and smoke seals, a competent professional (such as a fire warden or fire marshal) should install them. Before installing the seals:

  • Clean the groove to remove dust and debris.
  • Check the strip is the correct depth.
  • Peel off the adhesive backing.
  • Press the strip into place for a secure fit.

  For combined intumescent and smoke seals, make sure the smoke brush does not interfere with door closure. A fire door that does not close properly is a point of failure in a fire emergency, and a critical risk.

• Fire Door Safety Signage

  When installing fire doors, make sure you use the correct BS 5499 safety signage. Likewise, ensure a competent person checks the fire door for a certification label. This should display the door’s fire rating (FD30 or FD60), along with a fire certificate number and the manufacturer’s name.

  In addition to the 5 steps listed above, we recommend you follow all manufacturer guidelines, double-checking fire door glazing for CE marks (in line with European standards). Doing this will ensure your fire door installation is compliant, reliable, and capable of safeguarding occupants and property in the event of a fire.

  As certified fire door installers, SAB Group saves you the worry of incorrectly installing fire doors across your business’s premises. Get in touch today for complete peace of mind regarding your fire door installation, inspection, and maintenance.

When the damage to a fire door’s integrity is severe, or the fire performance certificate limits the extent of repairs, the door cannot be repaired. Our certified installers will install a new fire-resistant door to ensure compliance.

We work with a number of leading fire door manufacturers and suppliers to provide a wide range of doors, including industry-standard fire door retainers, internal and external fire doors, and FD30 and FD60 fire doors (designed to protect from fire and smoke for, respectively, 30 and 60 minutes). In total, we install, inspect, maintain, and repair the following types of fire doors:

• FD 30 fire doors
• FD 60 fire doors
• Fire door retainers
• Internal fire doors
• External fire doors
• Oak fire doors
• Fire-resistant front doors for flats
• Commercial fire doors
• Glazed fire doors
• Composite fire doors
• Fire exit doors
• Glass fire doors
• Steel fire doors

To discuss the correct fire door installation for your business, contact SAB Group today.

SAB Group provides cost-effective internal fire door installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair packages to suit all budgets. We have excellent relationships with several leading manufacturers, meaning our fire-safe door sets are reasonably priced for all our customers.

For an installation quote contact SAB Group now.