Kick plates are a simple yet effective way to protect fire doors from everyday wear and tear, particularly in high-traffic environments such as schools, hospitals, offices and commercial buildings.
Without proper protection, damage to fire doors can lead to costly repairs and potential compliance issues during fire safety inspections.
In this blog, we’ll explore what kick plates are used for, why they’re useful for fire doors in busy areas and how to install them correctly.
What are kick plates used for?
Kick plates are durable metal or plastic sheets fitted to the bottom portion of a door, usually on the push side or sometimes both sides. They prevent damage caused by feet, trolleys, wheelchairs, cleaning equipment or anything else that might come into contact with the door at a low level.
They are particularly useful in areas where people often have their hands full with bags or packages, which may lead them to use their feet to open doors. By absorbing these repeated impacts, kick plates help preserve the door's condition and maintain the fire door’s structural integrity.
Why are kick plates important on fire doors?
Fire doors play a critical role in passive fire protection by compartmentalising a building and slowing the spread of fire and smoke. Maintaining the integrity of a fire door is essential to ensure it performs as intended in the event of a fire. Any damage to the door leaf, particularly at the bottom where it is most vulnerable, can compromise its performance.
This is where kick plates for fire protection doors come in as they help protect the door from long-term damage. They are typically made from durable materials such as stainless steel, which not only resist impact but are also non-combustible, making them suitable for use on fire-rated doors.
What size door kick plate do I need?
It's recommended that a kick plate is at least 2 inches narrower than the door width, allowing an inch of space on either side so that the plate does not interfere with the door stop.
Third party certification bodies such as Certifire may specify requirements in the door’s field of application report. As an example, the report for Lignum International Paneled and Glazed Timber Based Fire Resistant Doorsets states:
- Polymeric or metal face-fixed hardware such as push plates and kick plates up to 2mm thick may be surface fitted to the doorset. These items of hardware are permitted up to a maximum of 20% of the door leaf area if mechanically fixed and a maximum of 30% if bonded with a contact or other thermally softening adhesive.
- Plates must not return around the door edges or ‘notch out’/interrupt the door stop.
- In all cases plates meeting the above specification shall not be applied under glazing beads or door stops.
It is essential to adhere to the approved documentation provided by the certification body or door manufacturer, as failure to do so will invalidate the certification
How to install a kick plate on a door
When fitting a kick plate to a fire door, it’s crucial to ensure that the plate does not affect the fire door's performance. The plate should be securely fixed using appropriate methods, such as the screws provided, so that it does not interfere with the core of the door.
You will need:
- Kick plate
- Screws
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Measure the door to ensure that the kick plate is suitable for the width of the door.
- Position the kick plate at the bottom of the door. Use a tape measure to leave a 1-inch gap on each side and at the bottom, marking these points with a pencil. Align the plate with these measurements and mark the screw holes to ensure proper placement for drilling.
- Drill the screws into the pre-drilled screw holes to secure the plate in place.
- Test the door to ensure it opens and closes into place. If the kick plate has a protective film, don’t forget to peel it off after installation.
If you require a custom-sized kick plate, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.
How we can help
At FireSealsDirect we are a family business with 50 years of experience in fire protection solutions. We stock a wide range of high-quality fire door hardware to keep buildings safe, secure and compliant.
Our experienced customer care team is on hand to help you choose the right products for your specific application. For expert advice, call us on 0292 085 7959 or email [email protected].
For more helpful guides on fire legislation, installation guides and more, visit our Advice Centre.
