Key guidance to the right fire door
30th March 2011
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Designers, builders and specifiers sometimes question the need for fire doors and the type of doors to be installed on protected escape routes. There are specific Building Control provisions that need to be taken into account with regard to fire doors.
Following on from Paul Pulis’ summary guidance on fire alarm systems, this time we’ve asked RBC’s area manager for Birmingham to provide some key guidance on fire doors.
The provisions for fire doors can be found in Approved Document B, Volume 2, Appendix B Fire Doors, including further guidance located in table B1.
Fire Doors
All fire doors should satisfy the appropriate fire resistance criteria in accordance with BS 476 - 22 or to the relevant European standard.
All fire doors should be fitted with self closing devices except for fire doors to cupboards and to service ducts, which are normally kept locked shut. Doors may also be fitted with automatic release devices, where a self closing device may become a hindrance to the normal day-to-day use of the building.
In some instances two fire doors may be fitted in the same opening so that the total fire resistance is the sum of their individual fire resistance. In a means of escape situation these doors should be self closing, but one of these doors may be fitted with a hold open device.
Most fire door applications require a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance standard, these criteria would be FD30 or E30 respectively.
Doors protecting escape routes also need to restrict smoke leakage. A suffix (S) is added to denote compliance with smoke leakage and (Sa) for compliance with the European system.
For example, doors satisfying the smoke leakage criteria and providing 30 minutes fire resistance would be designated either FD30S or E30Sa, respectively.
Where doors are hung to swing in either direction or where they are used to sub-divide corridors, they should be provided with vision panels. (Paragraph 5.17 ADB, diagram 9 ADM).
In all cases test evidence should be provided to substantiate the rating of a door and should be checked to ensure that it is applicable to the whole installed frame assembly.
The door(s) through which persons may have to pass in the event of fire should be fitted with suitable door furniture that can be readily and easily operated, without the use of a key, by persons making their way from the premises to safety.
Signage to fire doors
Fire doors are usually marked with the appropriate fire safety signs complying with BS5499-5: 2002 and according to whether the door is:
• Kept closed when not in use (fire door kept shut)
• Kept locked when not in use (fire door kept locked shut)
• Kept open by an automatic release device or free swing device (automatic fire door keep clear)
Fire doors to cupboards and to service ducts should be marked on the outside; all other fire doors on both sides.
For further guidance on fire doors or other fire related matters please do not hesitate to contact Paul Pulis on 01527 596 987 or 07815 008 335.
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