The Importance of Fire Doors in Care Homes

Tuesday 10th September 2024

Care homes present unique fire safety challenges that demand exceptional attention to detail, particularly when it comes to fire proof doors. With vulnerable residents who may have mobility issues, cognitive impairments or require assistance during emergencies, every second counts during an evacuation. Fire doors equipped with proper fire door closers, fire door strips and fire door retainers can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and tragedy.

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Why Fire Doors Are Critical in Care Home Environments

Unlike typical commercial buildings where occupants can evacuate quickly and independently, care homes rely on phased or horizontal evacuations. Many residents cannot evacuate simultaneously due to mobility restrictions, medical conditions or cognitive impairments. This makes effective fire compartmentation absolutely essential, and fire proof doors in care homes serve as the primary defence against fire and smoke spread.

Fire doors in care settings must balance two competing needs: maintaining strict fire safety standards while ensuring accessibility for residents and staff. The weight of fire doors, combined with the force required from a standard fire door closer, can create significant barriers for elderly residents, those using mobility aids, or staff pushing wheelchairs and beds through doorways.

The typical care home fire door requires a 60-minute fire rating (FD60), though specific requirements depend on your fire risk assessment. These heavier doors provide crucial additional time for staff to implement evacuation procedures, but they also present greater accessibility challenges. This is where selecting the right door closers with appropriate power sizes becomes essential – they must be strong enough to close these substantial doors reliably while not creating insurmountable barriers for daily use.

Essential Components: Fire Door Strips and Seals

The effectiveness of any fire proof door in a care home depends significantly on its fire door strips and fire door seal systems. These intumescent strips remain dormant under normal conditions but expand dramatically when exposed to heat, sealing the gaps between the door and frame. In care homes, where evacuation times are extended, these fire door strips provide vital protection by preventing smoke and flames from bypassing closed doors.

Every fire door must have properly fitted and maintained intumescent strips on three sides – the top and both verticals. For care homes, combined fire and smoke seals are particularly important, as smoke inhalation poses a severe risk to residents who may be slow to evacuate or have respiratory conditions. The smoke seal component works immediately when the door closes, preventing cold smoke from spreading, while the intumescent element activates at higher temperatures.

Regular inspection of these fire door seals is crucial in care settings. Daily use by staff, residents, and visitors, combined with the passage of wheelchairs, trolleys and medical equipment, can damage or dislodge strips. Any compromised seal reduces the door’s fire resistance rating, potentially endangering lives during an emergency.

Close up of modern wooden care home doors.

The Role of Fire Door Closers in Care Settings

A fire door closer serves a critical function in care homes by ensuring doors return to their closed position after use, maintaining compartmentation integrity. However, standard overhead closers can create significant challenges for care home residents and staff. The force required to open a door against a traditional closer can be prohibitive for elderly or frail residents, potentially limiting their independence and quality of life.

Free-swing door closers offer an innovative solution specifically suited to care environments. These devices allow fire doors to operate like standard doors with no resistance during normal use, while automatically engaging to close the door when the fire alarm activates. This technology removes the physical barrier that traditional closers present and maintains full fire safety compliance.

When selecting a fire door closer for care homes, consider the EN power size carefully. While EN3 is the minimum for fire doors, care homes often require higher power sizes due to heavier door construction and the need for reliable closure despite potential obstructions. Variable power closers allow fine-tuning to achieve the perfect balance between accessibility and safety.

Fire Door Retainers: Improving Accessibility and Safety

Fire door retainers represent one of the most significant advances in making care homes both safer and more accessible. These devices safely hold fire doors open during normal operations, improving ventilation, easing movement for residents and staff, and reducing the temptation to prop doors open illegally. When the fire alarm sounds, the fire door retainer releases automatically, allowing the door closer to shut the door completely.

For care homes, different types of retainers offer various benefits. Acoustic retainers like the Dorgard system work independently, listening for the fire alarm sound and releasing when triggered. These wireless, battery-powered units are ideal for retrofitting existing doors without complex wiring. Electromagnetic retainers connected to the fire alarm panel provide fail-safe operation, releasing doors when power shut-off is triggered by the fire alarm panel.

The Fireco Pro System offers particular advantages for care facilities, allowing multiple doors throughout the building to be controlled centrally. This networked approach ensures all doors close simultaneously during an alarm, crucial for maintaining compartmentation across large care home complexes. The system’s ability to integrate with existing fire alarm infrastructure makes it especially suitable for comprehensive fire safety strategies.

Maintenance and Inspection Requirements

In care homes, where residents rely heavily on phased evacuations, maintaining fire doors in perfect working order is paramount. Every component – from fire door strips to closers and retainers – must function flawlessly when needed. The maintenance requirements for care home fire doors often exceeds those of standard commercial buildings due to the vulnerability of residents.

Fire door inspections by qualified professionals should occur annually, with functionality checks by competent persons every six months. However, in care settings, more frequent informal checks are advisable. Staff should be trained to identify obvious issues like damaged fire door seals, malfunctioning closers, or doors that don’t close properly. Any problems must be addressed immediately – there’s no room for delayed maintenance when vulnerable lives are at stake.

Documentation of all inspections, maintenance, and repairs is essential for legal compliance and best practice. Care homes should maintain detailed records showing that fire doors, including all fire door strips and closers, meet required standards. This documentation proves due diligence and helps identify recurring issues that might indicate the need for door replacement or system upgrades.

Meeting Accessibility Needs Without Compromising Safety

The Equality Act 2010 requires care homes to make reasonable adjustments for disabled residents, but this must never compromise fire safety. Installing appropriate fire door furniture and accessories that improve accessibility and maintain fire integrity requires careful planning and expert advice.

Electronic door closers with adjustable opening forces can reduce the effort needed to open doors during normal use while ensuring reliable closure during emergencies. Hold-open devices eliminate the need for residents to struggle with heavy doors, improving their independence and dignity. These solutions demonstrate that accessibility and safety aren’t mutually exclusive when properly implemented.

For residents with specific mobility needs, consider the door’s full opening cycle. A fire door retainer might hold the door open, but if residents need to close it for privacy, they still face the resistance of the door closer. Free-swing closers address this by removing resistance entirely during normal use, allowing residents to operate doors independently.

Legal Responsibilities and Best Practices

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places clear obligations on care home operators regarding fire doors. Failure to maintain fire doors, including ensuring functional fire door strips, appropriate closers, and proper fire door seals, can result in prosecution, especially if inadequate maintenance contributes to injury or death during a fire.

Beyond legal compliance, care homes have a moral duty to protect their vulnerable residents. This means going beyond minimum requirements where necessary. If your risk assessment specifies FD30 doors, consider whether FD60 doors would provide better protection given your residents’ evacuation capabilities. Similarly, while basic fire door strips meet regulations, combined fire and smoke seals offer superior protection for those who cannot evacuate quickly.

Staff training is crucial for maintaining fire door effectiveness. All staff should understand why fire doors must never be wedged open, how to identify problems with doors or their components, and the importance of reporting issues immediately. Regular fire drills should include checking that all fire doors close properly when retainers release, ensuring the entire system works as intended.

Creating a Comprehensive Fire Door Strategy

Developing an effective fire door strategy for care homes requires careful consideration of resident needs, building layout, and evacuation procedures. Start with a thorough fire risk assessment that considers your specific resident population, including their mobility levels, cognitive abilities and medical needs. This assessment should inform decisions about door ratings, the type of fire door closer systems to install, and where fire door retainers would be most beneficial.

Consider creating zones within your facility with different fire door specifications based on risk levels and resident capabilities. High-dependency units might require FD60 doors with sophisticated retainer systems, while independent living areas might manage with FD30 doors and standard closers. This targeted approach optimises both safety and cost-effectiveness.

Regular reviews of your fire door strategy ensure it remains appropriate as resident needs change. What works for today’s resident population might be inadequate tomorrow. Building modifications, changes in care levels or new regulations all necessitate strategy updates. Maintaining flexibility while ensuring compliance requires ongoing attention and expert guidance.

Fire doors in care homes represent a critical life safety system that must balance stringent fire protection requirements with the practical needs of vulnerable residents. Through careful selection and maintenance of fire door closers, fire door strips, fire door seals and fire door retainers, care homes can create environments that are both safe and accessible.

The investment in proper fire proof door systems for care homes, including high-quality components and regular maintenance, pays dividends in resident safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. When every second counts during an evacuation, properly functioning fire doors with appropriate closers, intact fire door strips and reliable retainers provide the time needed to ensure every resident reaches safety.

Remember, fire safety in care homes isn’t just about meeting regulations – it’s about protecting society’s most vulnerable members. By understanding and implementing comprehensive fire door systems, care home operators demonstrate their commitment to resident welfare while creating environments where safety and quality of life coexist harmoniously.

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Toni Harrison

Toni is one of our product administrators.

Latest Posts by Toni Harrison

The Importance of Fire Doors in Care Homes10th September 2024

Why are fire doors so heavy?

Tuesday 30th April 2024

Old fashioned weighing scales — What does a fire door weigh?

Anyone who has pushed through an internal fire door knows the struggle: these doors require significant effort to open, often leaving people wondering why they need to be so heavy. For elderly residents, wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs or anyone with mobility challenges, heavy fire doors can transform a simple journey through a building into an exhausting ordeal. Understanding why internal fire doors are constructed this way, and more importantly, learning about solutions like fire door closers and fire door retainers, can help building managers create safer, more accessible environments for everyone.

The Science Behind Fire Door Weight

The substantial weight of an internal fire door isn’t a design flaw: it’s a critical safety feature. While standard internal doors typically weigh between 20kg and 50kg, fire-rated doors are significantly heavier. An average FD30 (30-minute) fire door weighs approximately 45kg, while FD60 (60-minute) doors can exceed 75kg. This dramatic difference stems from their specialised construction designed to withstand extreme heat and prevent fire spread.

The core of an internal fire door contains dense, fire-resistant materials that give these doors their life-saving properties. Unlike hollow-core residential doors, fire doors feature solid cores made from materials such as flaxboard, chipboard or specialised timber composites. These materials are engineered to maintain structural integrity when exposed to temperatures exceeding 800°C, creating an effective barrier against flames and smoke.

The thickness also contributes to the weight: FD30 doors are typically 44mm thick, while FD60 doors measure 54mm. This additional thickness isn’t just about the door leaf itself; it accommodates essential components like intumescent strips that expand when heated, sealing gaps to prevent fire and smoke passage. Every element adds weight, but each serves a crucial purpose in protecting lives and property.

Why Fire Door Closers Add to the Challenge

Beyond the door’s inherent weight, the fire door closer creates additional resistance that many people find difficult to overcome. These devices are mandatory on most fire doors, ensuring doors return to their closed position after use: a critical requirement for maintaining fire compartmentation. However, the spring mechanism that enables automatic closing also creates the force users must work against when opening the door.

The strength of a fire door closer is measured in EN power sizes, with EN3 being the minimum for fire doors. Heavier doors require stronger closers, sometimes EN4, EN5 or even EN6, to ensure reliable closure. Unfortunately, this means users face even greater resistance when opening these doors. For someone using a wheelchair, carrying items or experiencing reduced strength due to age or disability, this combination of door weight and closer resistance can create an almost insurmountable barrier.

The legal requirement for fire door closers stems from their vital safety function. Without proper closing mechanisms, fire doors left open become useless in an emergency, allowing smoke and flames to spread rapidly through buildings. Yet this essential safety feature inadvertently creates accessibility challenges that affect thousands of building users daily.

Young happy businessman in wheelchair working at home and talking on cell phone.

The Accessibility Dilemma

The weight of internal fire doors presents a significant accessibility challenge that goes beyond mere inconvenience. Under the Equality Act 2010, building operators must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can access services and facilities. Heavy fire doors can effectively exclude people with disabilities from parts of buildings, creating both legal and ethical concerns for property managers.

For elderly residents in care homes or sheltered housing, the effort required to open fire doors can limit independence and dignity. Parents with young children struggle to manage heavy doors while pushing prams or holding toddlers’ hands. Office workers carrying laptops, files or hot drinks face daily battles with doors that seem determined to close before they can pass through. These challenges often lead to dangerous practices like propping doors open with wedges or disabling closers: actions that compromise everyone’s safety and can result in prosecution.

The temptation to circumvent fire door safety measures is understandable but potentially catastrophic. Fire doors propped open cannot perform their critical function of containing fire and smoke, putting lives at risk. Building managers face the challenging task of maintaining fire safety compliance and ensuring their buildings remain accessible to all users.

Modern Solutions: Fire Door Retainers

Fortunately, technology offers elegant solutions to the heavy door dilemma through fire door retainers. These devices legally hold fire doors open during normal use, eliminating the daily struggle and maintaining full fire safety compliance. When a fire alarm sounds, the fire door retainer automatically releases, allowing the door closer to shut the door and restore fire compartmentation.

Different types of retainers suit various building needs and budgets. Acoustic retainers like the Dorgard system work independently, listening for fire alarm sounds and releasing when triggered. These battery-powered units require no complex wiring, making them ideal for retrofitting existing doors. The device’s plunger holds the door at any angle, and users can release it manually with a gentle kick.

Electromagnetic retainers offer another approach, connecting directly to the fire alarm system. These fail-safe devices release the door when power fails; however, the fire alarm panel stops the power supply when the alarm sounds, so they close in a fire. Networked systems can control multiple doors simultaneously, particularly valuable in large residential complexes or care facilities where coordinated door closure is essential during emergencies.

Free-Swing Door Closers: Removing Resistance

For situations where doors need to move freely throughout the day, free swing door closers provide an innovative solution. These devices replace traditional closers, allowing internal fire doors to swing freely like standard doors during normal use. Users experience no resistance when opening or closing the door, dramatically improving accessibility for everyone.

When the fire alarm activates, free-swing closers automatically engage, transforming into traditional closers that pull the door shut. This dual-mode operation means buildings can maintain full fire safety compliance while eliminating the daily burden of heavy doors. Free-swing closers are particularly beneficial in care homes, schools and healthcare facilities where users may lack the strength to operate traditional fire doors.

Some free-swing systems operate wirelessly, detecting alarm sounds acoustically similar to standalone retainers. Others integrate with fire alarm panels for coordinated response across multiple doors. The choice depends on building infrastructure, budget, and specific accessibility needs.

Installation and Compliance Considerations

When implementing solutions for heavy fire doors, proper installation by competent professionals is essential. Fire door retainers and specialised closers must be fitted according to manufacturer specifications to maintain the door’s fire rating. Any modification to fire doors or their components requires careful consideration of certification requirements and building regulations.

For communal areas in residential buildings, hold-open devices must conform to BS 7273-4:2015 Critical (Category A) standards. This ensures devices will reliably release doors during emergencies, maintaining the integrity of escape routes. Building managers should consult their fire risk assessments to determine which doors can be held open and what type of devices are most appropriate.

Regular maintenance of both fire door closers and retainers ensures continued reliability. Battery-powered devices need periodic battery replacement. Any type of fire door retainer should be tested as part of the normal fire door test, at least monthly. Creating a comprehensive maintenance schedule helps ensure all devices function correctly when needed most.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

While installing fire door retainers or free-swing closers represents an initial investment, the benefits often outweigh the costs. Improved accessibility can reduce injury risks from people struggling with heavy doors, potentially lowering insurance claims and liability exposure. Enhanced building usability may increase property values and rental appeal, particularly for buildings marketed to older residents or families.

Perhaps most importantly, these solutions eliminate the temptation to prop doors open, which could result in fines or prosecution for the Responsible Person if fire broke out. The cost of prosecution for fire safety violations, not to mention the devastating consequences of fire spreading through propped-open doors, far exceeds the investment in proper hold-open devices. Many building managers find that retrofitting existing doors with retainers costs significantly less than defending legal action or managing the aftermath of a fire incident.

Government grants and funding may be available for accessibility improvements, particularly in social housing or care facilities. The Access to Work scheme can support workplace modifications, while Disabled Facilities Grants may cover residential adaptations. Building managers should explore all funding options when planning accessibility upgrades.

Choosing the Right Solution

Selecting appropriate solutions for heavy internal fire doors requires careful assessment of building use, user needs, and fire safety requirements. High-traffic areas might benefit most from free-swing closers that eliminate resistance entirely. Quieter zones might suit simple acoustic retainers that hold doors open when needed but allow normal closure at other times.

Consider user demographics when making decisions. Buildings with many elderly or disabled users may require comprehensive solutions across all fire doors. Mixed-use buildings might need different approaches for different areas: free-swing closers in communal areas but standard closers with occasional retainer use in less frequented zones.

Environmental factors also influence choice. Noisy environments might not suit acoustic retainers that could struggle to distinguish fire alarms from background noise. Buildings with sophisticated fire alarm systems might benefit more from integrated electromagnetic solutions that guarantee coordinated door closure during emergencies.

Future Developments

The fire door industry continues innovating to address accessibility challenges while maintaining safety standards. Newer materials promise lighter doors without compromising fire resistance, though these remain in development. Smart building technologies may soon enable fire doors that adjust closing force based on user needs, recognising when someone with mobility challenges approaches.

Research into alternative fire protection methods could eventually reduce reliance on heavy doors altogether. Active fire suppression systems, improved compartmentation designs, and advanced materials might create buildings where fire safety doesn’t conflict with accessibility. Until then, fire door closers and retainers remain our best tools for balancing these competing needs.

Building regulations continue evolving to recognise accessibility importance alongside fire safety. Future standards may mandate accessibility solutions as part of fire door installations, making buildings more inclusive by design rather than retrofit.

Practical Implementation Tips

When upgrading fire doors for better accessibility, start with a thorough audit of current provisions. Identify doors causing the most difficulty: often those on main circulation routes or leading to essential facilities. Survey building users to understand their specific challenges and preferences for solutions.

Engage with fire safety consultants and accessibility experts to ensure proposed solutions meet all regulatory requirements while genuinely improving usability. Professional fire door inspections can identify doors where existing closers might be incorrectly adjusted, potentially providing quick wins through simple adjustments rather than equipment replacement.

Implement changes gradually if budget constraints exist, prioritising high-impact areas first. Monitor the effectiveness of solutions through user feedback and adjust approaches as needed. Remember that what works in one building might not suit another: flexibility and responsiveness to user needs are key.

The weight of internal fire doors reflects their critical role in protecting lives and property from fire. While this weight creates genuine accessibility challenges, modern solutions like fire door closers and fire door retainers offer effective ways to maintain safety while improving usability for everyone. Building managers no longer need to choose between compliance and accessibility: with the right equipment and approach, buildings can be both safe and welcoming to all users.

Understanding why fire doors are heavy helps us appreciate their importance while recognising the need for thoughtful solutions to accessibility challenges. By investing in appropriate fire door retainers and specialised closers, we create environments where safety and accessibility work in harmony, ensuring no one is excluded from full participation in community life while maintaining the highest standards of fire protection.

Calculate the approximate weight of your fire door.

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Fire Exit Doors vs Fire Doors

Sunday 21st April 2024

What is the difference between fire doors and fire exits?

A fire door is an internal door, between one room or corridor and another. Certified fire doors of solid timber construction are designed to halt the spread of smoke and flames for a minimum specified length of time. Typically, this is 30 minutes (FD30), when closed. This allows fire doors to compartmentalise the building, so that the fire can be more easily controlled by fire fighters.

A fire exit is a final exit door from a building, meaning that it leads to the outside. These doors are not usually fire rated, as they are not designed to hold back flames and smoke. Fire exit doors are designed to allow quick and unhindered escape through a well-lit door into a place of safety. Often, these doors also prevent unauthorised access from the outside. Fire exit doors should never be obstructed, open easily and, where possible, in the direction of traffic flow.

An open red fire door, leading to an external escape route. — In an emergency, fire exit doors lead building occupants to a place of safety

Do final exit doors need to be fire rated?

Final exit doors, or fire exits, do not usually need to be fire rated, unless the need is identified by the fire risk assessment. Unlike fire door hardware, exit hardware, such as panic bars and push pads, therefore does not need to be fire rated. Nonetheless, exit hardware must be regularly tested and maintained so that it can be effective in an emergency.

Should fire exits have push pads or panic bars?

In environments like an office, where staff are familiar with the layout, it is permissible to install push pads. In buildings which are open to the public, such as cinemas and shops, fire exits doors must be fitted with panic bars. These are easier to operate for someone who is unfamiliar with the environment.

Lock and key door handle for securing fire exit — Fire exit doors which are security doors can be locked to the outside

Can a fire exit be locked?

For security reasons, fire exits can be locked to the outside with an external access device. This can be secured with a traditional lock and key, or a pin pad and code. However, fire exits which serve as emergency exits for the public can never be locked from the inside. Exit hardware (push pads or panic bars) must therefore be fitted to the inside of a fire exit door.

Fire doors to storage rooms, or restricted areas of a building, can be locked. This can be done with access control devices, or a fire rated lock and key system. This hardware must be installed by a qualified professional, to the manufacturer’s requirements. It is the responsibility of key holders to ensure that no one is ever locked in to an area that they cannot freely leave.

Can a fire exit door be left open?

Given that fire exits are not involved in compartmentation, it is not a fire risk to keep open a final exit door to a building. This is why fire exit doors do not have door closers fitted. Fire doors must be kept shut when not in use, so that they can be effective in the event of a fire. This has led to the common misconception that a fire exit door cannot be kept open.

Therefore, assuming it is not a security risk, it is permissible to prop open a fire exit; but never a fire door on an escape route (unless certified fire door retainers are installed).

Sign used to indicate the location of a fire exit door — Signage for fire exit doors is green, and should be well lit

Do fire doors need signage?

Fire doors should have a small blue Fire Door Keep Shut sign fitted on both sides. This informs building users, including staff and the public, that the door plays a role in fire safety, and encourages them to behave accordingly. For the purpose of fire risk assessments, fire door maintenance, and fire escape plans, the fire door’s certification sticker should also be located on its top edge.

Similarly, fire exits should be clearly marked to ensure that occupants of a building can quickly identify an escape route in an emergency. Best practice dictates that fire exit signs are fitted above fire exits. In larger and more complicated buildings, additional signage should be fitted to direct occupants to the nearest fire exit.

For more information about fire doors, fire exits, and the legal requirements, see our help guides. You can also contact our friendly fire door team on 0800 433 4289 or by emailing firedoors@safelincs.co.uk.

Reasonable Adjustments in Schools

Thursday 14th March 2024

According to the Equality Act 2010, schools and educational premises have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where necessary for anyone with a disability. So, what is a reasonable adjustment in schools? And, what can schools and universities do to improve access for all and meet fire safety requirements in education?

What is a reasonable adjustment?

The Equality Act 2010 tackles disability discrimination in schools and other organisations or businesses across society. It sets out a responsibility to remove barriers experienced by someone who has a disability. Anyone who has a disability should be able to receive the same service as far as possible as someone who is not disabled. What is considered a ‘reasonable’ adjustment will depend on things like the size of the organisation, and the money and resources available. It will also depend on the needs of the individuals who attend the setting.

Reasonable adjustments and fire safety in education

According to current fire safety regulations, it is the duty of the Responsible Person for the building to provide a fire safety risk assessment that considers the needs of all of its users. It should contain an emergency evacuation plan for all people likely to be on the educational premises. This includes anyone who is disabled or has additional needs. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) also supports these regulations.

Evacuation chairs are a reasonable adjustment — An EVAC+CHAIR can be used to safely evacuate anyone with a permanent or temporary mobility impairment in an emergency

The reasonable adjustments in schools need to meet legal requirements for disability and fire safety, and depends on what is set out in your fire risk assessment. It will also depend on the needs of the individuals who attend your school or university.

What examples are there of reasonable adjustments in schools or higher education establishments for fire safety?

A reasonable adjustment can be:

A change to the way things are done such as a change to a rule or policy. For example, this might involve a change to an escape route.
A change to a physical or architectural feature in a building or outside areas. This could include using a fire door retainer on internal fire doors to allow easier access for all or installing visual fire alarm beacons with louder audible sirens for anyone who has a hearing impairment.
Provision of extra services or aids. This could include providing an evacuation aid such as an evacuation chair.

The type of changes and extra aids or services will depend entirely on your circumstances and the needs of the individuals who attend your school or university. Fire safety requirements will be set out in detail in your fire risk assessment and should be implemented.

Fire door retainers and the Equality Act 2010

Fire door retainers such as Dorgard are a cost-effective and easy to install solution for improving access for all in schools and universities. Fire doors are a necessity in many buildings but can be a barrier to anyone with a mobility impairment as they are heavy to operate and difficult to manoeuvre in a wheelchair.

fire doors in education — Fire door retainers can improve access for anyone with a mobility impairment

Dorgard is certified and tested to British Standards EN1155:1997 and EN 1634. It is a legal solution for holding open fire doors. This allows easier access for everyone including any disabled users with a mobility impairment. When the fire alarm sounds in your building, Dorgard will release the fire door so that it closes and provides the usual protection. You should never wedge or prop open fire doors using an uncertified device or object. The fire doors will be unable to provide any protection if they are open when a fire starts.

Fire door retainers can be a reasonable adjustment — Dorgard Fire Door Retainers are widely used in education

The University of London’s College Hall has found Dorgard to be an effective solution to accessibility in their building.

“The Dorgard offers a low energy automatic door solution that proved to be the most cost-effective way of improving access and independence for wheelchair users.”
University of London’s College Hall

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

With over 20 years of experience in content writing, design and marketing, Mel now heads up the Content & Marketing Team at Safelincs. Having been in the fire safety industry for over 5 years, Mel has now developed a deep understanding of some of the critical issues facing the industry. Alongside her team, she aims to support the public with resources and information to help them improve fire safety at home, in the workplace or in 3rd sector organisations.

Latest Posts by Mel Saunders

What are the Requirements for FD30 Internal Fire Doors?30th September 2025
FD60 Fire Doors for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices21st September 2025
How to Maintain Fire Doors: Inspection Checklist & Tips16th September 2025

10 Things You Should Know About Fire Doors

Wednesday 7th July 2021

Your Fire Door Questions Answered

Most of us will come into contact with fire doors in our daily life, either at home, at work or in public buildings. But how much do you know about fire doors and their role in saving lives? We’ve compiled a list of key fire door questions based on what customers ask our experts in our fire safety forum.

Fire doors stop fire and smoke from spreading to other parts of the building

1. Why are fire doors so important?

Fire doors are important because they keep fire or smoke in the room or ‘compartment’ in which it started. They stop it from spreading to other areas of the building. Fire doors are an integral part of any building’s passive fire protection system.

2. What do fire doors do?

Fire doors save lives and prevent further damage to the building and its contents:

They contain the fire in the room in which it started
Fire doors keep escape routes, such as corridors, clear from fire, giving occupants of the building longer to escape and better access for the fire service
They protect the remainder of the building, its contents and other buildings nearby from further damage.

3. How do fire doors work?

Fire doors prevent the spread of fire for a specified time. They are constructed from materials that will withstand fire for either 30 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on the fire door rating. Fire doors are fitted with intumescent strips in a groove on every edge of the door or fire door frame. When a fire breaks out, the heat causes the intumescent strips to expand to fill the gap between the fire door and the frame. This seals the room and stops the spread of fire for a given time. A fire door will only work if it is closed when the fire breaks out, so you should always ensure that your fire door is fitted with an automatic door closer and a sign that identifies the door as a fire door.

4. How are fire doors made?

Fire doors are usually thicker than a standard door and most have a solid core of variable material. The construction of fire doors varies depending on the manufacture. But, the critical part is that it is tested and certified to withstand fire for at least 30 minutes. Manufacturers must have the design of their fire doors and frames tested together as a set at an approved fire door testing centre. Then they must be considered for certification. When certification is approved, every fire door set constructed to the same design specifications by that manufacturer will be fixed with a label. The label identifies the manufacturer, date of manufacture and fire rating. This label can usually be found on the top edge of the door.

5. How long do fire doors last?

Fire doors and their frames are usually tested to hold back fire for 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60). Their ability to withstand fire is dependent on them being properly installed with the correct seals and fire rated hardware including fire door closers. The condition of a fire door, especially one that’s in regular use could deteriorate over time. Check your fire doors regularly and ensure any fire door maintenance is attended to promptly. Fire door inspections can help to identify non-compliant fire doors. Fire doors can have a rating greater than 60 minutes but these are not required in most situations.

6. Are fire doors a legal requirement?

Fire doors are a legal requirement in all non-domestic properties, such as businesses, commercial premises, and public buildings. They are also required in residential flats and houses of multiple occupancy. As set out by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, building operators in England and Wales should appoint a ‘Responsible Person’ to manage their fire safety precautions. Their legal responsibilities include a duty to reduce the risk of fire spreading within the premises. Fire doors play an important part in reducing this risk in many buildings. These types of buildings should have a fire risk assessment carried out. Fire risk assessments are an in-depth review of the premises. They will highlight any fire risks with recommendations to reduce or eliminate these risks, including where fire doors should be used and what rating they should be.

7. Do I need fire doors in my house or flat?

Fire rated doors can be a great way to add extra protection against fire in your home. But are they a legal requirement?

Houses and bungalows: In many homes in the UK fire doors are not a legal requirement, however there are some exceptions. Building regulations details where fire doors should be used:

Any new build or home renovation that has three or more floors must have fire doors fitted to every habitable room that leads from a stairwell. This applies to loft conversions where an extra floor has been added to a two-storey home.
Any door leading from your home into an integral garage must be a fire door. In most domestic situations, FD30 (fire doors with a 30 minute fire rating) are sufficient.

Flats and HMOs: Your block of flats should have had a fire risk assessment carried out. This will detail which doors are required to be fire doors. Building regulations Approved Document B2 sets out the following standards:

Every flat within a block of flats or HMO should have a fire door fitted at the entrance onto the communal area.
Flats located on floors 4.5m above ground level must have a fire rated door fitted between all habitable rooms as well as the front door.
Ground floor flats do not usually need internal fire doors as long as each room has an accessible way to escape. They do still need a fire door to be fitted at the entrance if the front door opens onto a communal area such as a corridor.

FD30 fire doors (30 minute fire door rating) should be used for flats.

8. Can fire doors be painted?

Although fire doors must be fitted with fire rated hinges, locks and hardware, they do not need a special type of paint. You can paint fire doors using regular decorative paint or varnish without damaging their performance. Avoid using heat or chemical paint strippers if the intumescent seals are in place. Also avoid painting over any hinges, hardware or seals.

There is no need to compromise on style and decoration with fire doors. Choose from a wide range of glazing and finishing options including real wood veneer, Formica laminate or paint. Our fire doors can even be pre-painted in any RAL colour of your choice, saving time and hassle and giving a professional finish.

9. Can fire doors be left open?

Fire doors can only be left open if they are held open in a legal way, such as with a fire door retainer or a hold open free-swing door closer.

It is dangerous to ‘prop’ or ‘wedge’ open fire doors. Fire doors are fitted with self-closing devices so that if a fire breaks out, they close and will perform as intended. If a fire door is wedged open, it will not slow or stop the spread of fire. Using a fire door retainer or free-swing door closer will ensure that in the event of a fire the fire door will still automatically close, ensuring fire safety is maintained.

Fire doors can be heavy and cumbersome to operate. They can also cause accessibility issues in some buildings. Fire door retainers, like Dorgard, are a practical and legal solution to this issue. A Dorgard Fire Door Retainer can easily be fitted to an existing fire door and will hold the fire door open legally until it ‘hears’ the sound of your fire alarm. When the alarm sounds, Dorgard will release the fire door, allowing it to close, stopping the spread of fire. Fire door retainers can also help to improve ventilation.

Dorgard Fire Door Retainers

Hold fire doors open legally
Wire-free plunger based door holder
Certified to BS EN 1155:1997 & BS EN 1634
Acoustically triggered at 65dB
FREE extended 5 year warranty
FREE shipping

£89.58 ex VAT

£107.50 inc VAT

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10. Who can fit fire doors?

Fire doors must be fitted by a competent individual. You should ensure that the person fitting your fire doors has had the relevant training to do so. Whatever the rating of a fire door, if it is badly fitted, it may not withstand a fire for any more than 5 minutes. There are legal requirements and specifications as set out by building regulations governing the installation of fire doors. The gap between the fire door and frame, for example, should be between 2 and 4mm. These specifications can be difficult to meet unless installation is by someone with experience and joinery skills.

The regulations around the fitting of fire doors can be confusing. Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies does not specify that any particular certification is required to install a fire door. However, The Fire Safety Order states that they should be installed by a competent person. That is someone with sufficient training and experience, qualifications, and knowledge.

Using a professional fire door installer will give a Responsible Person or homeowner peace of mind that the fitting has been carried out correctly and that the fire door will perform as it should in the event of a fire.

Fire Door Installation

For any fire doors purchased from Safelincs, we can offer a certified installation service carried out be qualified fire door installers. Fire doors should be installed correctly to ensure proper compartmentation.

Nationwide service carried out by certified fire door installers
Installation for all fire door sets & hardware purchased from Safelincs
Complete fire door and frame installation available
Experienced and knowledgeable installers

£719.79 ex VAT

£863.75 inc VAT

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Ask a Question

Still have fire door questions? Ask an expert on our forum.

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Latest Posts by Mel Saunders

Keeping a fire door open legally… and safely

Thursday 6th November 2014

Dorgard Fire Door Retainers Fire safety company Safelincs operates a website called firescout that invites visitors to submit photographs of any potentially dangerous situations they have spotted. All entries are anonymous, the idea being to educate rather than ‘name and shame’. Safelincs then offers advice as to whether the situation could incur a fine and how much, if anything, it would cost to remedy the situation.
A common misdemeanour is to prop open a fire door, sometimes with a fire extinguisher – a double transgression!

Fire doors are an essential part of the fabric of a building and have two important functions in the event of a fire; when closed they form a barrier to stop the spread of fire or smoke and when opened they provide a means of escape. They are designed to be kept closed except when people are passing through them. In some businesses, and in places such as care homes or schools, closed fire doors can act as a hindrance to general mobility and moving around to perform essential tasks. However, there is a way in which the situation can be overcome without compromising safety or breaking the law.

Safelincs provide a number of products manufactured by specialist manufacturer Fireco which allow fire doors to be kept open legally and safely. Each of these products works by responding to the sound (anything above 65 decibels) of a fire alarm; the mechanism holding the door open is released and the door closer on the fire door closes it to prevent the spread of fire and smoke spreading around the building.

Dorgard, the first innovative product from Fireco, is a wireless appliance that can be screwed to the base of a door in less than five minutes. The standalone device will then hold the door open at any angle allowing freedom of access throughout the building. Utilising acoustic technology, Dorgard ‘listens’ for a continuous alarm of 65dBA or higher which, once heard, will automatically release the door. Dorgard is available in a variety of colours and finishes which will blend in with any décor.

Fireco also produces the Dorgard Pro System which extends the versatility of Dorgard by linking several different devices and overcomes the issue of noisy workplaces. A transmitter is wirelessly installed next to a fire alarm sounder or hardwired into the fire alarm system. In the event of a fire, Dorgard Pro will wirelessly transmit simultaneously to multiple Dorgard Pro units within a 100 metre range. Safelincs will visit an organisation’s premises and undertake a free survey and make recommendations for siting an effective system.

Another product from Fireco is Freedor, a unique wire free solution that allows a door to free-swing just like a normal door and to be held open at any angle – automatically closing the door in a controlled manner when a fire alarm sounds. It utilises the same technology that is employed in Dorgard but is fixed unobtrusively to the top of the door. Using Freedor allows freedom of access throughout the building for disabled people and people less able to operate the doors, and assists businesses complying with the Equality Act 2010.

All these products have applications in a wide variety of environments and allow easy movement through a building without compromising safety or contravening fire safety regulations.

To find out more about the Fireco range go to www.safelincs.co.uk and follow the link to Fire Door and Exit Equipment or call 0800 433 4289 where there are friendly experts on hand to offer advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it acceptable to hold a fire door open?

Fire doors should generally remain closed to perform their essential fire safety function. However, it becomes acceptable to hold a fire door open when you use approved fire door holding devices like the Dorgard or Freedor systems. These specialised devices automatically release the door when a fire alarm sounds, allowing the door to close and perform its fire containment function. Without such devices, manually holding or propping open fire doors is not acceptable and may violate fire safety regulations.

What is the purpose of a fire door holder?

The purpose of a fire door holder is to safely keep fire doors open during normal use while ensuring they close automatically during emergencies. Fire door holders like those manufactured by Fireco allow freedom of movement throughout buildings, which is especially beneficial in environments like care homes, schools and businesses where closed doors can hinder mobility and ventilation. These holders respond to fire alarms by immediately releasing the door, allowing the door’s closer mechanism to shut it and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Should fire doors be left open?

No, fire doors should not be left open without proper safety mechanisms in place. Fire doors are designed to form barriers that prevent the spread of fire and smoke when closed, and they should only be open temporarily when people pass through them. If operational needs require doors to remain open, you must use approved devices such as Dorgard or Freedor that automatically close the door when a fire alarm sounds. Manually propping or wedging fire doors open is unsafe and could result in prosecution.

When is it acceptable to open a fire door?

It is acceptable to open a fire door when you need to pass through it or when using approved fire door holding devices. Fire doors are designed to allow passage while normally remaining closed. You can temporarily open fire doors manually when moving through the doorway, but they should be fitted with a fire door closer to shut them immediately after use, unless fitted with proper holding devices. If you need to keep a fire door open for operational reasons, you must use approved acoustic or electromagnetic devices that release automatically during fire alarms.

When can you hold a fire door open?

You can hold a fire door open only when using approved fire door holding devices that automatically release upon hearing a fire alarm. Products like Dorgard can be installed at the base of a door in minutes and hold the door open at any angle, releasing it when detecting an alarm of 65dBA or higher. For noisier environments, systems like Dorgard Pro use wireless transmitters connected to fire alarm systems to ensure reliable door closure. Without such approved devices, holding fire doors open with wedges, extinguishers or other objects is unsafe and against regulations.

When is it acceptable to go through a closed fire door?

It is acceptable to go through a closed fire door whenever you need to move between areas of a building during normal operations. Fire doors are specifically designed to allow passage while maintaining fire safety when closed. You should ensure the door closes properly behind you after passing through unless the door is equipped with an approved holding device. During emergencies, fire doors also serve as crucial escape routes, making it not only acceptable but potentially life-saving to go through closed fire doors when evacuating a building.

What is the fine for wedging fire doors open

The fine for wedging fire doors open can be substantial, as this practice violates fire safety regulations. While the specific fine amount varies based on severity and jurisdiction, business owners and building managers can face significant penalties during fire safety inspections if doors are found improperly propped open. Rather than risking these fines, you should consider installing approved fire door holding devices from Safelincs, such as the Fireco range, which allows doors to be held open legally and safely. These solutions cost significantly less than potential fines and provide peace of mind that you’re compliant with regulations.

Is propping open fire doors allowed?

Propping open fire doors is not allowed unless you’re using approved fire door holding devices. The common misdemeanour of propping doors open with objects like fire extinguishers creates a serious safety hazard and violates fire safety regulations. Fire doors are essential building components designed to contain fire and smoke when closed. If you need to keep fire doors open for operational reasons, you should use authorised products like Dorgard or Freedor that automatically release the door when a fire alarm sounds, ensuring the door can perform its vital safety function during emergencies.

What are the fire door regulations for domestic properties and commercial buildings in the UK?

Fire door regulations for domestic properties and commercial buildings in the UK require that fire doors remain closed except when people are passing through them. In commercial settings, fire doors must have appropriate fire resistance ratings and self-closing mechanisms. You must ensure fire doors are not wedged or propped open unless fitted with approved holding devices that release automatically when fire alarms sound. For domestic properties with internal fire doors, similar principles apply, though requirements may vary depending on the building’s design. Both settings require regular inspection and maintenance of fire doors to ensure they function correctly during emergencies.

What type of fire spread can occur if fire doors are propped or wedged open?

If fire doors are propped or wedged open, backdraft conditions can develop, creating an extremely dangerous type of fire spread. When fire doors remain open, oxygen flows freely to the fire, and hot gases and smoke can rapidly spread throughout a building. This situation can lead to backdraft – a phenomenon where a fire smouldering in an oxygen-depleted area suddenly receives a rush of oxygen, causing an explosive ignition. You significantly increase the risk of backdraft and other rapid fire spread scenarios when compromising fire doors by keeping them propped open. Proper fire door holders from Safelincs provide a safe alternative that maintains safety while allowing convenient access.