It’s often asked whether you can modify a fire-rated door and, as we know, it’s important to follow regulations and legislation when it comes to fire prevention. If fire doors aren’t installed or maintained properly, they can prove ineffective and a danger to individuals.
Below we explain how fire doors work and if and how fire doors can be modified.
How fire doors keep you safe
Fire doors keep you safe by preventing the spread of fire from one compartment or room to another. Effective fire doors will withstand fire and smoke for up to either 30 or 60 minutes depending on their classification, which enables time for escape thus saving lives.
Without effective fire doors, fire and smoke can spread easily through a building. It’s worth mentioning, however, that fire doors are only effective if they’re fitted with the correct intumescent seals and it’s important that these are well-maintained to remain effective.
Reasons why you shouldn't modify a fire-rated door
Where possible, it’s best not to modify a fire-rated door as any changes or modifications can affect the integrity of the door if not done correctly or to specification. Any modifications should be in line with the manufacturer's guidelines and should be undertaken by a competent person.
Trimming a fire door
Trimming a fire door to fit your door frame is permitted up to a certain point, however, it’s imperative that you check the fire door manufacturer’s guidelines to understand how much can be trimmed without affecting the door’s efficacy.
Creating a hole in a fire door
Every time a hole is created in a fire-rated door, whether that be for a window, or air transfer grille, the integrity of the door is affected and can potentially affect its ability to prevent fire from passing through.
Any modifications should therefore only be made upon checking with the door manufacturer and should only be carried out by a 3rd party accredited individual to ensure they are done correctly.
Updating a fire door
However, it’s important to note that regular maintenance of fire doors is important to ensure they are still up to specification and that no part of the door is worn down and no longer effective. Fire doors should be checked at least every 6 months and updates or maintenance to fire doors and their constituent parts is crucial.
Some key areas to consider when maintaining a fire door would be:
- Intumescent strips - ensure these are creating a seal between the door and the frame to ensure an effective seal from fire and smoke.
- Hinges - make sure these are fire rated (there should be a stamp on the hinge to identify this) and there should be 3 hinges per door.
- Gaps - make sure there is a maximum 4mm gap between the door edges and the frame and a maximum of 8-10mm gap at the bottom of the door (fire only) or 3mm for a fire and smoke door.
- Door closer - make sure the door closes securely into the frame.
- Glazing and air transfer grilles - ensure there is a suitable glazing seal around the glass and an intumescent air transfer grille in place if there is a grille on the door.
How We Can Help
At FireSealsDirect, we stock a range of products needed for fire doors, walls and floors for a range of high-quality suppliers, including Lorient, Pyroplex, Eclipse and Briton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
