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Fire doors are an important component in modern fire safety strategies, they are designed to delay the spread of both smoke and fire in homes and commercial properties, they also protect escape routes, and ultimately save lives by delaying the spread of fire as much as possible. At Traditional Sash Windows and Carpentry, we understand the importance of combining safety with aesthetic appeal, and we specialise in crafting and maintaining wooden fire doors that meet safety standards while preserving the charm of of each unique property.
Whether you’re looking for a new fire door installation, repairs to existing wooden fire doors, or expert advice on compliance, our team is here to help. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about wooden fire doors, including their purpose, construction, materials, regulations, and the bespoke services we offer to keep your property safe and beautiful.
Fire doors are specially engineered to resist fire and smoke for a specific period ranging from 30 minutes (FD30) to 60 minutes (FD60). Their purpose extends beyond merely serving as a barrier; they are designed to compartmentalise a building, slowing down the spread of flames and providing critical extra minutes for people to evacuate safely.
Containing Fire and Smoke: Preventing the spread of dangerous elements from one area to another.
Preserving Structural Integrity: Helping to maintain the stability of the building by reducing fire damage.
Ensuring Safe Passage: Providing protected evacuation routes for building occupants.
Minimising Damage: Reducing the overall impact on property and enabling more effective fire-fighting efforts.
Fire doors are often placed in high risk areas such as kitchens, corridors, and staircases, as well as in multi unit buildings where they serve as critical fire barriers between units and common areas such as schools or hospitals. By containing a fire to a designated space, they limit the risk of total property loss and increase the safety of the entire building.
Fire doors are not just regular doors, they are constructed to endure extreme heat conditions. While the outer appearance might blend seamlessly with the rest of the property’s architecture, the internal components and materials are specifically chosen to provide enhanced resistance to heat and fire.
Solid Timber Cores: Providing a robust and durable structure, often used in bespoke designs for traditional properties. The density and type of timber can affect the fire rating, so only specific timber types are used.
Composite Cores: Incorporating materials like chipboard, flax board, or magnesium oxide, composite cores are engineered to resist fire for extended periods. These cores are usually sandwiched between timber veneers, giving them a traditional look.
Fire Rated Glass Panels: Glass fire doors may include specially treated, fire resistant glass panels, allowing visibility while still offering protection. These panels are tested to withstand fire and maintain their integrity for up to 60 minutes.
Intumescent Seals and Cold Smoke Seals: Fitted along the edges of fire doors, these seals expand under high heat, closing any gaps and preventing the passage of smoke and toxic gases.
Each component of a fire door, from the core to the hinges and handles, must be fire rated. The door must be hung in a suitable fire resistant frame, and the entire assembly must pass rigorous testing to ensure it meets legal safety standards. Fire doors are more expensive than normal wooden doors, but you can put a price on saving lives!
In the UK, fire doors must comply with several regulatory standards, including:
BS 476-22: Fire Tests on Building Materials and Structures
EN 1634-1: Fire Resistance Testing for Doors and Shutters
Building Regulations Approved Document B - Fire Safety
The regulations outlined above are the specifications for fire resistance, installation, and maintenance of fire doors. A compliant fire door should be clearly labelled with its certification and maintenance information, indicating the manufacturer, fire rating, and date of installation.
To remain compliant, fire doors must be regularly inspected and maintained. Hinges, seals, and self closing mechanisms should be checked at least once every six months, or more frequently in high traffic areas.
At Traditional Sash Windows and Carpentry, we provide comprehensive compliance checks, ensuring your fire doors meet all necessary standards at the time of installation. We can issue certification for newly installed doors and advise on any remedial work required to bring existing doors up to standard.
The need for fire containment has been recognised for centuries, but it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution and the rise of dense urban centres that the modern concept of fire doors began to take shape and weaved into law. Following devastating fires in the 19th and early 20th centuries; such as the Great Fire of London and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York building codes were overhauled, and the first fire door regulations were introduced to help save lives.
Fire doors became a mandatory feature in many types of buildings, from schools and hospitals to commercial properties and high rise apartments. Early designs were functional but they lacked a much needed aesthetic appeal. However, as technology and materials improved, fire doors began to be integrated more harmoniously into the design of properties, blending safety with style.
Today, advancements in materials science and engineering allow for highly sophisticated fire doors that offer both beautiful and provided the needed protection. At Traditional Sash Windows and Carpentry, we honour this legacy by crafting wooden fire doors that respect the history of traditional woodworking while meeting all modern safety requirements.
Acoustic Insulation: Many fire doors also provide soundproofing, offering both fire protection and noise reduction.
Self Closing and Automated Systems: Integrated with automatic door closers, fire doors can shut seamlessly without human intervention, ensuring they are never left open during an emergency.
Invisible Safety Features: Intumescent strips and seals are integrated into the design, maintaining the door’s visual appeal without compromising on safety.
Customisable Designs: Fire doors can be tailored to fit various architectural styles, with options for panel designs, wood grains, and even period specific features for historical buildings.
Fire Doors Must Be Shut to Work Effectively: It might seem obvious, but fire doors are only effective if they are closed during a fire. Fire inspectors regally check for propped open fire doors, this can lead to a failed inspection. This is why many fire doors are equipped with automatic closing mechanisms or self closing hinges to ensure they shut completely when not in use.
The Role of Intumescent Strips: Intumescent strips, which are commonly fitted around the edges of fire doors, are designed to expand up to 10 times their original size when exposed to heat. This expansion seals any gaps between the door and the frame, preventing the spread of fire and smoke.
Not All Glass is Equal: Fire rated glass can withstand temperatures up to 900°C and is designed to stay intact for up to 120 minutes, providing visibility and light while still offering protection. It’s made using multiple layers of specialised materials, including clear intumescent layers.
Fire Doors Can Be Tested Using a “Furnace Test”: Fire doors are subjected to rigorous testing in specially designed furnaces. During these tests, doors are exposed to controlled fire conditions, and their performance is measured based on how long they can prevent the passage of heat and flames.
Fire Doors Have a Unique Set of “F” Ratings: Fire doors are categorized by their “F” rating, which indicates the number of minutes they can withstand fire. For example, an “FD30” door is rated to resist fire for 30 minutes, while “FD60” is rated for 60 minutes. Some high performance doors can even reach ratings of up to 120 minutes. Which is very useful in a high rise building or skyscraper.
The “Three Minute Rule” in Fire Door Inspections: Fire doors should be inspected regularly, and there’s a rule of thumb called the “Three Minute Rule” that inspectors often use. If a fire door can’t be fully inspected in under three minutes, it likely needs maintenance or repair due to misalignment or damage.
Fire Doors Go Back to Ancient Rome:
Although modern fire doors are a relatively recent invention, the concept of fire containment goes back to ancient Rome. The Romans used stone and metal doors in their architecture to prevent the spread of fires in large buildings, which were a common occurrence back then.
Fire Doors Can Also Help Reduce Energy Costs: By creating an airtight barrier, fire doors will also help in reducing heat loss, making them an energy efficient solution to your property. This is particularly beneficial in large buildings where controlling temperature and airflow is critical.
Fire Door Hinges and Locks Must Be Fire Rated Too: It’s not just the door leaf that needs to be fire resistant. Hinges, locks, latches, and even screws and bolts must be certified as fire rated components. This ensures that the entire assembly can withstand extreme conditions without failing.
The Myth of Chalking Open Fire Doors: Despite their critical role, many people make the mistake of wedging or chalking open fire doors for convenience and speed, mainly due to the weight of the door and for additional airflow. This renders the door useless in the event of a fire! That’s why buildings often use electromagnetic hold open devices that automatically release and close the doors when fire alarms are triggered.
Fire Door Innovations Include Smart Technology: Modern fire doors are integrating smart technology, such as sensors and automated systems, to improve their functionality. These innovations can monitor the door’s status, alert maintenance teams if the door is left open, and provide real time compliance data. Unfortunately we do no provide this service at this time.
We offer a full range of services to keep your fire doors in perfect working order:
. Fire Door Repair: Our repair services address common issues such as misalignment, damaged seals, and malfunctioning self-closing mechanisms. We also provide emergency repairs for properties that need immediate attention.
Fire Door Replacement: If your current fire door does not meet the required standards or is beyond repair, we can replace it with a new, fully certified wooden fire door. Our designs can be customised to match your property’s existing decor, ensuring consistency and elegance.
Bespoke Fire Door Manufacturing: We specialise in creating custom made wooden fire doors, ideal for heritage properties or those looking to add a touch of sophistication. Our craftsmen can design and build fire doors that blend seamlessly with period features while providing cutting-edge protection.
Installation and Compliance Services: Proper installation is critical for the effectiveness of fire doors. Our team ensures each door is correctly fitted, with all hardware and seals in place. We also provide a full compliance check and certification service, giving you peace of mind that your fire doors are safe and legal.
Free Aftercare Visit: Your satisfaction is our priority, which is why we offer a complimentary aftercare visit within 12 months of the installation. We’ll check that everything is functioning perfectly and address any issues that may have arisen completely free of charge.
Fire doors are more than just a safety requirement they are a critical investment in the protection of your property and the people within it. At Traditional Sash Windows and Carpentry, we combine craftsmanship and compliance to deliver high quality wooden fire doors that not only meet rigorous safety standards but also enhance the aesthetic of your property. Whether you need repairs, replacements, or a new bespoke design, our team is dedicated to providing fire door solutions that stand the test of time. Contact us today to ensure your property is both beautiful and secure.