Fire Door Facts & Myths
Did you know all of these facts and myths?
Myth
Standard doors can be made into fire doors by fitting larger doorstops to the existing frame.
Fact
Additional doorstops do not turn a standard door into a fire door. A fire door requires all items to meet the specification stated on the fire door certificate.
Myth
If a fire door is too big, it can be cut down to fit.
Fact
A fire door can only be trimmed by the amount permitted on the manufacturers fitting instructions and fire door certificate. Resizing doors outside of the limitations set on the fire door certificate invalidates certification.
Myth
Fire doors have to be assessed by the fire brigade.
Fact
Since October 2006, it is the responsible person’s duty to carry out fire risk assessments. The fire service does not carry out fire risk assessments of commercial or industrial premises.
Myth
I’m just a landlord so I’m not expected to know much about fire doors.
Fact
If you are the building owner or landlord and the ‘responsible person’ under the Fire Safety Order it is your responsibility ensure fire safety for the occupants of your building. If you do not have the knowledge or skills, you must appoint a ‘competent person’ to carry this out for you.
Myth
We don’t need to fit any intumescent strip to fire doors because we use a bigger door stop.
Fact
A fire door always needs intumescent strips either in the frame or around the door edges to ensure its performance in the event of a fire.
Myth
It says Fire Foam on the can so I can use it.
Fact
Not all Fire Foams are suitable for use in fire door frame sealing applications. It is dependent on the Fire Foam manufacturers test data!
Has it actually been tested for the purpose that it is being used for?