A fire door is a critical component in any building’s fire safety strategy. Unfortunately, not just any solid door will do the job. Fire doors are tested and certified as complete systems, and each part – from the frame and hardware to seals and glazing – must meet a required specification. Getting the choice of doors right demands manufacturing expertise and a range of specialist solutions.
Fire doors work by containing fire and smoke to one area, keeping escape routes clear for as long as possible. They do not need power or intervention; they just have to be closed and in good condition. Features such as intumescent seals, which expand with heat, and fire-rated cores help to maintain door integrity and slow a fire’s progress.
There are many types of fire door, tailored to different environments and with specific qualities to ensure a building meets the new generation of more stringent safety standards. Many operate manually, but hinged fire doors may instead be automated. In large or open spaces, fire curtains or sliding systems provide the same protection by closing automatically when an alarm is triggered.
Construction materials are another consideration. In hotels, offices and multi-use commercial buildings, timber doors are often chosen for aesthetics and acoustic performance. At industrial sites, data centres or high-security areas, steel doors could be a safer option. Wide openings in warehouses, airports or car parks may need sliding fire gates or curtains instead. To identify the best solution for a space, specification support when a building is at design stage – or during retrofit planning – is critical.
As with many complementary building technologies and systems, digitalization is a growing concern – and may be beneficial in the right environment. Smart building systems can keep track of fire doors, showing if they are closed, blocked or need maintenance, for example. Fire doors and curtains can link to alarms so they close automatically when needed or connected with access control to maintain fire compartmentation. In complex environments like hospitals or data centres, smarter or integrated systems provide useful auditing and maintenance records, ensuring doors are always ready to perform.
The importance of certification and expertise
Third-party certification of a fire door reassures building owners, architects and insurers about compliance. It proves the door has been tested, audited and manufactured consistently to meet safety standards – and that it will do its job in any emergency. Certification applies to all fire doors, timber or steel, and to larger solutions like fire gates and curtains. Certification also helps to smooth the approval process with building code enforcement and demonstrates compliance with legal requirements.
Across Europe, fire doors are covered by EN 16034, with testing done under EN 1634-1 for fire resistance and EN 1634-3 for smoke control. Hardware is tested separately under EN 1634-2. In the UK, BS 476 is still recognized alongside EN standards. Fire curtains are tested to EN 1634-1, and where smoke control is needed, to EN 12101-1 or EN 1634-3. EI-rated curtains block both fire and heat transfer, while EW-rated systems, often used in the UK, focus on integrity with reduced heat radiation. Testing is always carried out on the complete system, including the door, frame and hardware, to make sure everything performs as intended. To maintain this performance, installation must follow certified details exactly. If the door is not installed properly, it may not meet its fire rating, even if all components are correct.
Expert maintenance is another key to reliable performance. This means checking that seals, hinges, and closers perform properly and are undamaged. Automatic fire curtains, sliding doors or hinged doors need motors and controls tested. Many regulations call for checks every six months. A fire door is only as good as its maintenance: a small fault can make a big difference in an emergency.
Specialist fire safety solutions from ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY’s portfolio of fire doors provides customers in a broad range of verticals with a choice of security door to match their precise needs, without making compromises.
“Martech focuses on engineering high-performance fire curtains for a range of applications,” explains Daniel Swannack, Chief Commercial Officer for the Door Business Segment at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “In different ways, and for different types of building, Mercor, Portafeu, Metalind, Fichet, and HSD deliver industry-leading fire and technical door solutions tailored to their respective markets.”
“Choosing the right door and keeping it properly maintained is essential,” he adds. “Our role is to make the customer’s life easier in terms of compliance, performance and design flexibility. All our fire-specialist manufacturers share ASSA ABLOY’s deep commitment to safety, quality, reliability, and innovation. Their portfolio scale and expertise gives customers the convenience of a one-stop-shop for fire doors and peace of mind that their solutions are compliant.”