Requirements for fire- and smoke-resisting doors

Evidence of performance

Fire- and smoke-resisting doors must have evidence to demonstrate that they would resist the spread of fire and/or smoke according to the following test standards:

Fire resistance: - either BS 476-22 or EN 1634-1; the integrity performance is stated as a period of minutes, which must be at least equal to the figure demanded by the relevant regulation (see below).

Smoke leakage: - either BS 476-31.1 or EN 1634-3

Evidence may take the form of:

A single test report (in which case the evidence relates only to the configuration actually tested);
An assessment by a fire test laboratory, based on a range of test reports;
Third party certification, based on product sampling, testing and auditing of the manufacturing process.

The test evidence must be applicable to the door or shutter assembly actually installed, as relatively minor differences my significantly affect performance. Correct installation and maintenance are also vital to enable doors and shutters to perform as they were designed to do. Consequently, dhf recommends the use of third party certification schemes covering manufacture, installation and maintenance of fire-resisting doors and shutters; these schemes can give confidence that the installed product will meet the requirements of the regulations.

Self-closing

Fire doors are generally required to be self-closing, except where they are kept locked shut when not in use. “Self-closing” for a hinged or pivoted door means that the door can close from any angle. There are certain exceptions, which are specified in the regulations (see below).