Fire door frames

We continue our series of articles on fire doors, this time we’re covering the frames. Let’s examine the key facts and recommendations that you need to know.

What do I need to know about fire door frames?

From everything we’ve already talked about, you won’t be surprised to learn that you need to take just as much care with your fire door frames as you do with all other aspects of the installation.

The British Woodworking Federation, who are responsible for Certifire which we’ve mentioned previously, has pulled together some excellent information on fire door frames.  We’ll now provide a list of the most important facts and considerations.  Note that, as we’ve seen, fire doors may be constructed of different materials such as steel – but the key principles still apply!

• ideally you should source your frames from your supplier of the fire doors themselves, so that the whole installation is perfect and can be checked by experts
• if for some reason this is not possible or practical, ask for advice from your fire door supplier
• door stops – which assist the door in latching – can be cut out of the frame or “planted” (in which case they will be pinned to the frame, and possibly also glued)
• the frame thickness would usually be tested at 30mm minimum, but as always check with the experts and ensure that the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed 100%
• the frame should be constructed into the wall or partition capable of being equal to the rating of the fire assembly.  Any gaps between the frame and the wall or partition should be filled in with mineral fibre or intumescent paste (refer to British Standard 8214 1990)

ALL fire doors MUST be fitted with the correct seals, and ideally these should be fitted to the frame

So, as usual, there’s a lot to it – and we probably don’t need to remind you by now that you MUST fit your fire doors and frames correctly and according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

The good news is, there are experts who can help you to get it right by discussing your requirements and then recommending the best solution.  This means that they do the worrying for you, and you don’t have to remember every aspect of this complex subject or be intimately familiar with all the regulations.

Fire door maintenance

We make no apologies for reinforcing this message time and time again.  Due to the crucial role that they play, it’s vital that fire doors are maintained exactly to the manufacturer’s specifications and checked regularly.  That way, in the unfortunate event of them being put to the test, they will perform as they’re supposed to.

So who should I talk to about my exit fire doors?

Our team at Enfield Doors know this topic inside out, are familiar with all the regulations, standards, and best practices, and will work with you to ensure that the fire doors that you install do exactly what they are supposed to – and will function as intended in the unfortunate event of them ever being put to the test.

So to put your mind at rest learn more about our range of fire doors or call us on 020 3199 5850.

As always we’ll be delighted to help you and pass on our expertise.