Fire Doors

Choosing the right door sets for your project can be complex with considerations like fire ratings, hardware compatibility, sizes, and finishes all playing a role.

At CA Fire Protection, we simplify the process by offering a fully bespoke service tailored to your specific needs. Working with our network of approved suppliers, we provide complete design, supply, and installation services removing the stress and ensuring your door sets are fully compliant and fit for purpose.

Correct installation is just as critical as choosing the right fire door. A fire door will only perform as intended in the event of a fire if it has been installed precisely to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

At CA Fire Protection we are certified under the BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and maintenance Scheme, ensuring all work meets the highest standards of safety and regulation

With access to a wide range of certified fire doors, our commercial team can help you find the perfect match for your project. This can be achieved by sourcing a new door set or replicating bespoke designs to match existing doors.

Every installation is backed by a comprehensive certificate covering 10 key compliance points, supported by detailed reports generated through our advanced software. These reports include photographic evidence of the installation process, along with full test certificates and data sheets for all materials used.

With CA Fire Protection, you can be confident that your fire doors are installed correctly, professionally documented, and fully compliant.

FAQ:

Why are fire doors important?
Fire doors play a crucial role in containing fire and smoke within the room or ‘compartment’ where it originates, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. They are a vital component of a building’s passive fire protection system.

What is the purpose of fire doors?
Fire doors save lives and limit damage to buildings and their contents.
They work by containing the fire to the room where it started, keeping escape routes like corridors clear of smoke and flames. This gives occupants more time to evacuate safely and provides better access for firefighters. Fire doors also help protect the rest of the building, its contents, and nearby structures from further damage.

How do fire doors work?
Fire doors are specially designed to slow the spread of fire, typically for 30 or 60 minutes, depending on their rating. They are made from fire-resistant materials and are equipped with intumescent strips fitted into grooves along the edges of the door or frame. In the event of a fire, these strips expand when exposed to heat, sealing the gap between the door and the frame to contain the fire and smoke.
For a fire door to be effective, it must be closed at the time of a fire. That’s why it’s essential to have an automatic door closer installed and to clearly mark the door with appropriate fire door signage.

How often should internal fire doors be checked?
Fire doors should be inspected at a minimum of every six months. In environments with high foot traffic or where vulnerable individuals are present, it is advisable to conduct inspections at intervals of three months or less to ensure continued safety and compliance.

Are fire doors a legal requirement?
Yes, fire doors are a legal requirement in all non-domestic properties, including businesses, commercial buildings, and public premises. They are also mandatory in residential flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a designated ‘Responsible Person’ must be appointed to manage fire safety within buildings in England and Wales. This individual is legally required to take measures to reduce the risk of fire spreading—fire doors play a crucial role in fulfilling this duty.
A fire risk assessment must be carried out for these types of buildings. This detailed review identifies fire hazards and provides recommendations to mitigate them, including guidance on where fire doors should be installed and what rating they should have.

Can fire doors be painted?
Yes, fire doors can be painted using standard decorative paints or varnishes. There’s no need for special fire-resistant paint, as long as the door’s essential components—such as fire-rated hinges, locks, and hardware—are properly fitted and left unpainted.
When painting a fire door:

• Avoid using heat or chemical paint strippers if intumescent seals are already installed.
• Do not paint over seals, hinges, or other fire-rated hardware.

There’s no need to compromise on style when choosing fire doors. A variety of finishes are available, including real wood veneers, Formica laminates, and custom paint options. We can even pre-paint your fire door in any RAL colour, saving you time and ensuring a high-quality finish.

Who can fit fire doors?
Fire doors must be installed by a competent person—someone with the appropriate training, experience, and skills. Poorly fitted fire doors, regardless of their rating, may fail in as little as five minutes during a fire.
There are strict requirements outlined in building regulations that govern fire door installation. For example, the gap between the door and the frame should be between 2mm and 4mm—something that requires precision and expertise to achieve. These standards are difficult to meet without proper joinery skills and experience.
While the Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies does not mandate specific certification for installers, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that fire doors must be installed by someone competent. This means a person who has adequate knowledge, training, and qualifications in fire door installation.
Hiring a professional fire door installer offers peace of mind to the Responsible Person or property owner, ensuring that the fire door will perform correctly in the event of a fire.