Fire safety
The role of door hardware in the event of a fire
When fire strikes, it is crucial that all the components in a building work together to mitigate its impact – and door hardware has a significant role to play in this.
For the majority of fire doors, door closers (power size EN 3 as a minimum) must be fitted to ensure doors remain closed to compartmentalise the fire, protecting escape routes and minimising damage in the initial moments of a fire. Fire doors that are kept locked do not require a door closer to be fitted but must have appropriate signage. Then the fire intumescent seals and/or metal door must expand to fill any gaps and prevent the passage of smoke and flames.
Other hardware vitally important to a fire doors ability to contain fire, are hinges, which must be CE marked for use on doors according to EN 1935. If the door closer includes backcheck, allow for additional mass when selecting hinge grade to ensure a longer product life. Single point rim or mortice locks must be CE marked to EN 12209 if mechanical or EN 14846 if electromechanical. Panic devices must be CE marked to EN 1125 while emergency devices are CE marked to EN 179. Other architectural hardware items cannot be CE marked but it is vital to check that all hardware has fire evidence that matches the fire door spec it is being fitted to, including any intumescent protection around the hardware.