Fire Door FAQs

Internal doors need to be fire rated when they lead to or from:

• Stairwells in multi-storey buildings
• Rooms containing fire hazards (boiler rooms, kitchens)
• Escape routes or corridors
• Between residential and commercial areas in mixed-use buildings
• Areas required by building regulations or your fire risk assessment

Building regulations often specify where fire doors must be installed and their required rating. Residential buildings of multiple floors typically require fire doors between habitable rooms and the stairwell.

No, a panic bolt should not be fitted to an emergency exit already fitted with a push pad device, as in an emergency situation both devices would have to be operated to open the door which could result in injury. For extra security, an alarm device such as the exit stopper door alarm can be fitted. This device is fitted to the door and when the push pad is used and the door opens the alarm sounds to signal that the emergency exit has been opened.

You will not need to alter your fire door (as the wings should fit in to the existing hinge gaps), however, a part of the hinge gap will be exposed. You should install intumescent strips on the exposed part of the hinge gap.

The Exit Stopper Door Alarm, available for single or double doors, is battery operated and sounds when a fire exit door is opened. It is designed with magnet contacts, and when the contact is broken it sounds a loud 97dB alarm. A key override is fitted to reset and to manually override the alarm to allow the door to be used normally, or for maintenance.

Yes, there is several ways in which you can do but it is key to remember that the padlock should not impede the use of the fire exit door in a real emergency.

• Single Doors – this can be done by fixing the padlock to the frame and then having the security seal attached to the panic bar. The padlock can then be hooked through the seal and attached to the frame.
• Double Doors – this can be attached through two security seals, one on each of the panic hardware and then to the padlock.

The thing to remember is that in the event of the emergency that the seals can still be broken and the padlock with just remain on the frame or drop to the floor.

Our fire door leafs do not come with the rebates for intumescent strips as standard, however this can be included as a bespoke product. Where a door and frame is ordered at the same time then the rebate will be put into the frame as standard. For door leafs without rebates surface mounted seals are available.

Please find below an example of how to calculate the weight of a door.

Please Note: the calculator does not take glass weight into account and the result is the approximate weight:

Width of door e.g 926mm

Height of door e.g 2040mm

Thickness of door e.g 44mm

x square m2 weight of door core

• 44mm – 55kg
• 54mm – 75kg

Width x height x thickness x square m2 weight of door core = Weight of door

e.g 926 x 2040 x 44 x 55kg

Type in calculator 0.926 x 2.040 x 0.44 x 55 = 45kg

Yes, but only with an approved fire door retainer like Dorgard. Propping open a fire door with another object, like a chair or a fire extinguisher, is unsafe because the door will not be able to prevent the spread of flames and smoke throughout the building in the event of a fire. Holding a fire door open like this is therefore a criminal offence.

Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Article 17 states that the Responsible Person for a building must ensure that fire doors are correctly installed and adequately maintained.

Safelincs is proud to offer its customers industry-leading products and expertise. Our team are renowned for their excellent and thorough service, and are backed by our office-based customer service team who are always available to offer advice and support from our Lincolnshire-based HQ.

• Services are available anywhere in mainland UK
• Flexible and tailored solution for your premises and requirements
• Fully certificated team for peace of mind
• High-quality workmanship
• Safelincs is rated 5* on Trustpilot and has over 6000 reviews from our customers
• Award-winning customer service

Our custom configurator allows you to design your perfect fire door in under five minutes.

FD30 doors must resist fire for a minimum of 30 minutes. Requirements include:

• Correct thickness (usually 44mm minimum)
• Appropriate core materials
• Certified hinges (minimum three)
• Compatible intumescent strips
• Self-closing mechanism
• Fire-rated glazing panels (if present)
• Proper gap tolerances (2-4mm around edges)
• Correct installation in a compatible frame
• Certification marking

All Safelincs FD30 doors are BWF Certifire approved and meet these specifications.

FD60 doors must resist fire for a minimum of 60 minutes. Requirements include:

• Greater thickness than FD30 (typically 54mm minimum)
• More robust core materials
• Higher specification intumescent strips
• Fire-rated ironmongery throughout
• Stricter gap tolerances
• More substantial framing requirements
• Special grade fire-rated glazing (if present)
• Certified installation
• Clear certification marking

Our FD60 doors meet all these requirements and come with proper certification.

Internal fire doors with glass incorporate vision panels with fire rated glazing. The glass undergoes special treatment to withstand high temperatures without shattering. At Safelincs, we offer fire doors with Pyrobelite fire rated clear glass or frosted glass options. All glazing is surrounded by timber that matches your door veneer. These doors combine safety with light transmission and visibility.

You can purchase internal fire doors directly from Safelincs online. We offer both standard and bespoke options through our easy-to-use configurator. Our fire doors are made to order by BWF certified UK manufacturers and delivered to your location. Each door comes with certification and markings verifying its fire integrity.

Safelincs delivers internal fire doors throughout the UK. As an online supplier, we remove the need to visit physical showrooms. Our website showcases our full range with detailed images and specifications. Each door is made to order and delivered directly to you, with nationwide delivery available.

Yes, you can purchase internal fire doors with compatible fire rated frames from Safelincs. These frames are essential for proper installation and fire performance. Our frames:

• Match the fire rating of your chosen door
• Can be ordered separately or as a complete doorset
• Are available in various wood finishes to match your door
• Come with options for architrave
• Include pre-cut rebates for intumescent strips

Fire door frames must be properly specified to maintain the fire rating of the entire assembly.

Internal fire doors in the UK must be tested for performance in accordance with British Standards set out in building regulations. Key features include:

• Third-party certification of fire doors (such as BWF certification) – ensures traceability of performance, components and the supply chain
• UK fire doors should be tested in accordance with BS 476 Part 22 as set out in Approved Document B
• UK-specific sizing options
• Appropriate markings and certification
• Compatibility with UK building methods

Safelincs works with UK manufacturers who understand these requirements and produce fully compliant doors for the British market.

We offer various types to meet your specific requirements:

Single Fire Doors

Our single fire doors are available in both FD30 and FD60 ratings with multiple size options. Choose from real wood veneers, including oak, sapele, ash, beech, maple, walnut and cherry, or select Formica laminate finishes for high-traffic areas.

Double Fire Doors

Double fire doors are perfect for wider openings and come as matched pairs with square or rebated meeting stiles. These are certified and tested as pairs to ensure compliance. Available in both FD30 and FD60 ratings and also available in FD90 and FD120 on request.

Fire Door Sets

For complete assurance, our fire door sets include perfectly matched doors and frames, ensuring full compliance when installed to the manufacturer's specification. These sets simplify specification and installation while maintaining fire safety standards.

Glazed Fire Doors

Our glazed fire doors allow light transmission while maintaining fire protection. Various glazing patterns are available with both clear and frosted fire rated glass options. All glazing is properly certified to maintain the door's overall fire rating.

You can customise your internal fire doors with:

• Various finish options, including real wood veneers
• Multiple glazing configurations and glass types
• Compatible ironmongery, including handles and locks
• Intumescent and acoustic seals
• Protective kick plates and signage
• Fire door closers and holders
• Door viewers

Our online configurator makes it simple to design doors to your specifications in just minutes.

Yes, fire doors must be kept closed to be effective; an open fire door does not protect against fire and smoke. However, there are safe ways to hold fire doors open for convenience without compromising safety. 

You can use devices like the Dorgard door retainer, which holds the door open and automatically releases it when the fire alarm sounds. Alternatively, free-swing door closers allow doors to function normally but automatically close when the alarm activates. Never wedge fire doors open with door stops or other objects.

The thickness of our fire doors depends on the fire rating:

• 30-minute fire doors (FD30) are 44mm
• 60-minute fire doors (FD60) are 54mm

There are no set rules that detail how long a fire door lasts before it needs to be replaced. The condition of the door should be monitored and checked at least every 6 months to ensure it is in good working order. Fire doors should comply with the latest fire door regulations, so it is important to keep up to date with any changes in regulations which may mean your doors are no longer fit for purpose.

The amount that can be removed from the edges of a fire door differs from one door to the next and depends on several factors, including the exact materials used during construction and guidelines from the fire rating certificate. Accurate trimming information can only be provided by the manufacturer; on a case-by-case basis after the door has been completed. We recommend that you use a qualified fire door installer to ensure compliance.

All our fire doors satisfy the DDA regulations.

FD30 fire doors are made of softwood and FD60 fire doors are made of hardwood.

Our fire doors are not certified for use within pocket or sliding door systems and the glazing and panels we provide is fitted using raised beading.

In order to calculate the weight of a fire door you will need to know the weight per square meter (kg/m2) of the doors core. This is determined using the thickness of the door as follows:

• 44mm = 55kg/m2
• 54mm = 75kg/m2

The calculation below can be used to determine the approximate weight of the fire door. Please note that the calculation does not take glass weight into account.

Width x Height x Thickness x kg/m2 of the door's core = Weight of fire door

For example for a door that was 926 x 2040mm with a thickness of 44mm the following calculation would give an approximate weight:

0.926 x 2.040 x 0.44 x 55 = 45 kg

We supply a full range of ironmongery and fire-rated door accessories for fire doors, including door hinges, door closers and door holders. We can fit ironmongery purchased from us alongside the purchase of a fire door if you select fire door installation when ordering your fire door.

Please Note: Some fire door retainers, such as Dorgard, require additional installation, information on this is in the checkout for you.

There are a couple of options available for this scenario in order to keep your doors open legally.

• Dorgard – holds the door open permanently and releases the door upon hearing the fire alarm, allowing for your door to close.
• Free-Swing Door Closers – allows your fire door to function like a normal door, as if it did not have a door closer fitted. When the fire alarm sound, it will automatically close the fire door.

Yes, you can buy replacement glass tubes for Redlam and Ashworth Panic Bolts. Alternatively, Ceramtubes™ are suitable as a replacement for Redlam Panic Bolts.

There are no set rules about how long a fire door lasts before it needs replacing. The condition of each fire door should be monitored and checked at least every 6 months to ensure it is in good working order.

Fire doors should comply with the latest fire door regulations, so it is important to keep up to date with any changes in these regulations that may mean your doors are no longer fit for purpose. Having a fire door inspection carried out by a qualified person can give you peace of mind.

Power Size EN 3 is the minimum closer strength required for any fire doors that must be fitted with an automatic closing device, as per recommendations in BS EN 1154.

EN 1 and EN 2 are defined in the Standard, but are only recommended for use on non-fire doors and are not actually suitable for use on fire doors. This is because fire door leaves are denser and heavier than non-fire doors, they are fitted with seals around the door edges which may cause resistance when closing, and it is critical that they are fully closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Fire door closers therefore need to apply more force to fully close the door.

BS EN 1154 is the harmonised British-European Standard which covers performance and test methodology for door-closing devices, not limited to those intended for use on fire doors. EN Power Sizes are a classification system for door closers, where each power size corresponds to a range of door widths and weights that the closer is suitable for to ensure the door is fully closed. They range from EN 1 (maximum door leaf width of 750mm and weight of 20kg) to EN 7 (maximum width of 1600mm and weight of 160kg). Power Size EN 3 supports doors up to 950mm wide and weighing up to 60kg.

Yes, in some cases you can make alterations to your fire door, however, these alterations can only be done if they remain within the scope of the fire door's Certifire Approval documents.

For example when a fire-rated door viewer or intumescent letterbox / letter plate is required. This information should also be detailed in the installation and maintenance instructions supplied with each door leaf. It is critical that any changes made to a fire door are done so following the manufacturer’s instructions, by a trained professional, and with certified hardware to ensure that the performance of the door, and its associated certification, is not compromised.

BWF-Certifire has created a guide on how to ensure you retain your Fire Door Certification when considering making alterations.

The best way to secure a fire exit and allow access from the outside while ensuring the door cannot be left open is by using an external code lock. The user can unlock the door using a 4-10 digit code, but once the door is closed, it will automatically be locked again. The door could also be fitted with a door closer to ensure it closes itself once it has been opened.

Yes, intumescent fire seals are required on all fire doors. Newer doors and frames have a channel cut into them for rebated seals (if not supplied with seals already in place). For older doors, surface-mounted seals can be used instead.

Please note: some of our seals have brushes on them, which are designed to block the spread of smoke around the door before ambient heat has caused the intumescent seals to expand and fill any gaps – these are usually required on doors, so make sure a competent person has performed the appropriate fire risk assessments or fire door inspections before purchasing.

The closing force rating of fire door closers, also called "power size", relates to the maximum width and weight of fire doors that the door closer can reliably close and hold closed.

Fire doors must be used in walls which form the compartmentation of the premises – specific areas within the building that are constructed to be fire-resistant. These may be individual rooms, but could also contain multiple rooms or might be vertical risers and lift shafts. Fire-rated doors are not required for walls not part of a compartment boundary.

Additional fire doors can be installed in place of normal doors, but they would provide minimal protection as the walls around them may not be constructed of especially fire-resistant materials and could burn through while the fire door remains intact. There is a risk of occupants gaining a false sense of security if fire doors are installed in non-compartment walls, so this should only be done under the guidance of a proper fire risk assessment conducted by a competent person.

Please consult the original building plans, if available, to determine where your premises' fire compartments are, or otherwise have a competent person perform a fire risk assessment or fire door inspection.

Yes, you can use the surface-mounted fire and smoke seal kits, available for single and double doors.

• The single door kit can be fitted to either the door or the door frame.
• The double door kit should be fitted to the doors rather than the door frame so the gap between the doors is covered.

Please Note: Surface-mounted fire door seals must be used in conjunction with certified fire doors and fire door equipment. They cannot turn a standard door into a fire door.

Yes, fire door seals can be fitted to either the door or the frame for a single fire door.

Double doors or door and a half fire doors will need to have fire door seals fitted to the door to ensure that the gap between each leaf is taken into consideration.

Yes, the Exit Stopper can connect to remote sounders via a cable. There are no restrictions on the distance between them.

Whilst it is possible to fit self-closing hinges to a fire door, Safelincs does not recommend their use as they slam the door quickly. Fitting a fire door closer will allow you to adjust the closing speed and the latching action.

To find out which fire door you need, the Responsible Person in any business or organisation should carry out a risk assessment. This will determine where fire doors are required and what fire rating they should have.

In domestic properties, check the Building Regulations for guidance on where to fit fire doors in new-builds or renovations.

Usually, there is a gap allowance between 2 and 4mm on the top and sides of a fire door, with the door threshold (gap under the door) between 8 and 10mm.

It is advisable to check your core certification to check the gap allowance of your fire door.

A fire door is a specially designed door with a fire-resistant rating to prevent the spread of fire. Fire doors form part of a passive fire protection system within a building to reduce the spread of fire and smoke. A fire door is made up of a door leaf, door frame, fixtures and fittings. Read our fire door buying guide for more information.

To stop your fire door from slamming shut you will need to adjust the closing speed or check the power size of the fire door closer fitted to the fire door. Regulations state that fire doors should self-close completely and reliably. They do not however need to bang or slam shut.

Many self-closing devices can be adjusted so that the door will close correctly without slamming. Other issues including a loss of fluid or improper fitting could be causing the issue. It is also possible to fit self-closing devices with a latching action which close the door quickly at first and then stop it from slamming by closing the last few inches slowly. It is advisable to have your fire door closer maintained and adjusted by a competent person.

Fire doors should never be propped or wedged open as the fire door would not be able to close in the event of a fire. A safe and legal solution to holding open fire doors is to install a fire door holder also known as a retainer. Fire door retainers can be easily installed onto existing doors and allow the door to be held open at any angle. They comply with regulations because when the fire alarm sounds, the door retainer releases the fire door to close, preventing the spread of fire. Fire doors should never be propped or wedged open to improve ventilation.

Cutting the bottom of a fire door could threaten the integrity of your fire door and could put lives at risk. If you need to increase air circulation in your building the best option is to hold your fire door open with a fire door holder or free-swing door closer. These are legal solutions that enable a fire door to be left open but will activate the automatic closing of the fire door on the sounding of fire alarm, preventing the spread of smoke and fire.

Fire doors are typically thicker than standard doors and doors with a solid construction will be particularly heavy. The self-closing device and the force with which the door closes can also make a fire door appear heavy and cumbersome. A free-swing closer can alleviate this issue, allowing the door to swing freely on its hinges as a standard door would. Free-swing door closers ‘take the weight’ out of fire doors in usual operation but will automatically close the door when the fire alarm sounds. This means they are a safe and legal solution to the problem of heavy fire doors.

Typically fire doors protecting escape routes may be required to have smoke seals to control the spread of smoke.Your risk assessment should detail which fire doors are required to have smoke brushes in addition to a standard intumescent fire door seal. Any door requiring a smoke seal will be listed with an ‘S’ following the rating. For example FD30s.

Fire doors must be installed by a trained and competent person such as a qualified fire door installer.

Most fire doors require 3 fire-rated hinges to fix the door leaf to the frame. The hinges should feature a CE mark and fire identification stamp. Occasionally, depending on the weight of the fire door, more hinges may be specified by the manufacturer.

No, special paint is not required on fire doors. Regular decorative paint or varnish can be used without affecting the performance of the fire door. Care should be taken not to paint over the seals or hardware such as hinges.