What Are Pre-Hung Fire Doors?
Any new building construction, or renovation, project requires careful planning and preparation with many different aspects to be considered. Amongst those deliberations is the vitally important aspect of the doors for your building – you obviously need to consider both the practicality and the aesthetic appearance, but you must also always be aware of the many safety and security issues to be considered. There are mandatory, legal requirements with regards to fire safety along with other concerns such as noise reduction and control, and insulation for which your doors need to cater.
Whether your project is commercial or residential, new build or renovation, choosing to fit pre-hung door assemblies is going to be easier than constructing frames on site and fitting the doors into existing spaces that may not be ‘consistent’ or standard! Fire safety requirements demand that the fire doors installed fit precisely, are durable, easily maintained, and adhere to the strict control regulations demanded. Pre-hung fire door assembly units offer the best solution to cater for all those aspects – here is some information about pre-hung fire doors and reasons why you should install them in your construction projects:
Pre-Hung Door Assemblies
A pre-hung door assembly set is a complete door unit that has been fully pre-constructed as a working-model, ‘ready-to-install’ feature upon delivery to the site. All aspects and components of the door set are supplied as a completed unit – a pre-hung fire door set consists of:
- Door Leaf
- Door Frame
- Architraves
- Hinges
- Locks and Latches
- Handles
- Intumescent Seals (For smoke protection)
- Floor Covering Clearance
- Hardwood Sill (if required)
This single-entity construction is fully complete so can be installed in position on site immediately.
Fire Protection Doorsets
A typical door set will consist of a solid core material with a frame and other components constructed to resist fire, flame, heat, and smoke for a specified period based on the desired level of fire resistance. Pre-hung fire door sets are manufactured to different protection levels – time protection periods range from an Fd30 door providing protection from all the harmful elements of a fire outbreak for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to an Fd120 fire door offering the same protection for a minimum of 120 minutes, with other protection levels in between. The function and environment of the building will dictate which protection levels you require for your project.
Benefits and Features
If your construction project is a new-build, the pre-hung fire door sets will slot comfortably, easily, and quickly into the newly-constructed rooms and walls. If you are converting an older building, it is likely that the quality of existing fittings may have been damaged by movement over time, or constructed with older, inferior materials – using modern pre-hung door assemblies will be easier to install and provide an important upgrade in your construction project. Pre-assembled fire-door sets can be tailor-made for a whole range of building projects and situations – all pre-hung fire-doors are constructed to the quality and safety levels specified to meet the mandatory compliance regulations required by law.
Reduced Time And Cost
Installing pre-hung door sets will reduce the all-important labour time and costs – the pre-hung fire doors are installed as single units and therefore require less preparation time than having to both construct the frames and fit them separately on-site. Fitting your pre-hung door sets on site is far quicker and easier than traditional build methods – this saves both time and money, as there is no required adjustment for placement and attachment of the door to the frame, and no need for the painting or other finishing touches AFTER installation – and that time saving is reflected in reduced labour costs.
Reduced Damage
Installing pre-hung fire doors greatly reduces the risk of potential damage to the doors – as these sets come fully constructed and ready to install, they can be fitted as single units AFTER the rest of the construction work around them has been completed. Pre-hung fire door sets also reduce the need for any adjustments once fitted, as all the required clearance gaps and tolerances are pre-defined and set, which is also a positive in managing any potential differential shrinkage due to moisture content.
Convenience
Pre hung fire doors contribute to last stage fixing – installing pre-hung door sets can be done at the very last stage of the construction process, thereby reducing the possibilities of any damage to them from other trades and any work still to be completed.
Consistent Finish
The frames will be a perfect match for the door in every aspect – colour, veneer finish, and grain structure as well as being complementary to any skirting and architraves selected for the room, thereby completing the perfect look and feel throughout.
Variety
Pre hung door sets can be bespoke manufactured so your choice is not restricted by having to choose from pre-existing stock and sizing. Established manufacturers and suppliers can supply you with a range of different styles and types of commercial fire door sets with varied materials, styles, and finishes. Pre-hung door sets can be purchased as single or double doors and can be ordered in any bespoke size, so you can get the perfect doors to complement the rooms you are constructing or converting.
Quality
You will, naturally, want the best materials and a high-end finish to your pre-hung fire door sets – purchasing from established fire door manufacturers or suppliers will get you a professional, quality-controlled, high-end product. Fire door sets can be ordered in any quantity thereby providing consistency in appearance and performance from your pre-hung fire doors throughout your building project. It is always advisable to source an accredited supplier or manufacturer of fire door assemblies who are third-party BM Quality Mark certified.
