R&R Final PDF's November '17 cc

...All fire doors must
be signed correctly
so users know how
they should be used.
They should be
clearly visible, easy
to read and
understand quickly,
which is crucial in
the event of an
emergency...
doorset design. If smoke seals are fitted, they
should give an even contact with the floor
but not interfere with the closing action of
the door.
Door Furniture
Check door lever handles for smooth
operation and that they freely return to
horizontal positions. If they don’t, there
could be a problem opening the
door in the event of an
emergency, or the door
closing correctly to
maintain fire integrity.
Check that pull handles are
securely fixed.
Exit Devices
If fire doors are on an escape
route, they must be able to
open without keys in the
direction of escape and must be
able to be easily operational.
Exit devices such as panic bars or
emergency exit hardware must
function correctly so that people
can immediately exit through the doorway
when required. Check that fixings are tight on
the device, the bolts, and the strikes, and that
the door opens freely when the exit device is
actuated.
Hinges
Hinges should be certified with a CE stamp or
the BS EN 1935 grade 13 marking. All fire
doors must have a minimum of three hinges
per leaf and all screws must be tight and
hinges should be free of metal fragments and
oil leakage.
Locks & Latches
The latch or deadbolt should engage fully
with the strike plate. If the door does not
latch fully to the door frame, smoke and
flame could escape around the door, which
can cause visibility and breathing problems
during a fire and potentially allow the fire to
spread.
Door Closers
Check that the closer is
securely fixed to the
door and frame and that
there are no visible
signs of damage or
leaking oil from the
closer. The closer
should hold the door
firmly in the frame
when unlatched.
Open the door to a 5°
angle, or to 75mm, and
release; the door should
close fully into the
frame and engage the
latch. If hung in pairs,
open both doors; they
should close in line if
they are both opened
and released together.
Hold-Open Devices
Hold-open devices, such as electro-magnetic
closers, are the only way fire doors can be
held open legally. They should release the
door immediately when the fire alarm is
sounded and close the door fully into the
frame.
Signage
All fire doors must be signed correctly so
users know how they should be used. They
should be clearly visible, easy to read and
understand quickly, which is crucial in the
event of an emergency.
Door Seals
As smoke spread is an even greater threat to
life and property than flames, fire doors must
be fitted with intumescent seals to stop the
ingress of smoke around the door edges. The
seals should be well-attached inside the
groove cut into the door or the frame. Make
sure that they are in good condition and
specified to the fire rating and function of
the fire door.
Glazing & Glass
Glazing in fire doors is an important safety
measure as it lets people see potential
hazards, but it can create a point of
weakness. Make sure that intumescent
seals attached to the glass and beading
are continuous and free from damage,
as it’s their job to hold the glass firmly in
place and prevent fire and smoke from
passing through. Safety glass must be
used in glazing panels below
1500mm from the bottom of the
door and if glass is at any time
replaced it must be fire-rated.
Make sure you check for a kite
mark on the glass.
If fire doors do not meet all
of these criteria, then they
may not function correctly in
the event of a fire. That’s why it’s so
important to carry out these simple checks –
they could help you save lives.
If you suspect that your fire doors do not
meet the required standards it’s important to
seek professional advice.
www.allegion.com/uk/firedoorsafety
November 2017 R6 Refurb retrofit
magazine
17