SCHOOL FIRE DOOR PROJECTS

Yes, all schools require fire-rated doors as part of their fire safety strategy under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire doors are used to slow the spread of fire and smoke, helping to protect escape routes such as corridors and stairwells. They are typically installed in key areas like classrooms opening onto corridors, stair enclosures, plant rooms and service cupboards

School fire doors should be checked regularly to ensure they remain safe and compliant. Many schools carry out simple visual checks monthly, while a more detailed inspection by a competent person is usually recommended every 3 months. Regular inspections help identify issues such as damaged seals, loose hinges, or faulty door closers.

Fire doors should never be wedged open. However, they can be held open using approved hold-open devices such as retainer or electromagnetic closers that automatically release when the fire alarm is triggered. This allows doors to remain open for convenience during normal use while still closing to protect escape routes in the event of a fire.

Schools fire doors require durable, certified ironmongery designed for high‑traffic environments. This includes CE/UKCA‑marked hinges, latches, locks and handles. Heavy use in schools means choosing robust hardware to ensure long‑term performance.

Most fire doors used in schools are rated FD30, meaning they are designed to resist fire for at least 30 minutes. In some areas of a school building, such as stairwells or higher-risk spaces, FD60 fire doors may be required to provide 60 minutes of fire resistance. The required rating depends on the building’s fire safety design and compartmentation strategy.

Common signs include gaps around the door, damaged seals, loose hinges, doors that fail to close fully, or visible damage to the door leaf or frame. Any of these issues can affect fire performance and should be addressed promptly.

Damaged fire doors should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to maintain fire compartmentation and ensure the door performs correctly in a fire.

Schools benefit from door closers with backcheck, which prevent the door from being thrown open and hitting the wall behind it - a common issue in busy school corridors. Backcheck protects both the door and the hardware, extending the lifespan of the fire door.