This year, P C Henderson are supporting the British Woodworking Federation's Fire Door Safety Week. Targeting manufacturers, installers, building owners and building users, the campaign aims to:

  • Increase public awareness of the vital role that fire doors play in protecting life and property. 
  • Engage and educate people to understand the correct specification, supply, installation, operation, inspection and maintenance required for a fire door
  • Encourage building owners and users to check the operation and condition of their fires doors and report any issues

Why are fire doors important?

The purpose of a fire door is to delay the spread of smoke and fire – not only protecting lives but also the property. The correct specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors is critical to the compartmentation of a fire,  which in turn allows occupants to safely evacuate a building.

Fire safety should be tackled by a multi strategy approach consisting of:

  • Prevention
  • Communication
  • Escape
  • Containment
  • Extinguish

How to check if a fire door is installed correctly?

The British Woodworking Federation offers a 5 step fire door check to allow building users to check if a fire door has been installed correctly:

  1. Certification - Look for a label or plug on the door which shows its certified. All ironmongery including locks, latches, closers and hinges must be CE marked and compatible with the door leafs certification. 
  2. Gaps - Check the gaps around the top and sides of the door are consistently less than 4mm when the door is closed. The gap under the door can be up to 8mm. 
  3. Seals - look for any intumescent seals around the door or frame. Check they're in tact with no signs of damage
  4. Hinges - check all hinges are firmly fixed with no missing or broken screws.
  5. Closing Properly - check the door closes firmly onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame.

What are the testing requirements of fire doors?

A fire door is not just the door leaf, but also the frame, any glazing, intumescent seals and all ironmongery used on the door. This means that both the door and the hardware that holds it in place should be tested to British Standards for the system to be legally classified as fire-rated.

During a fire door test, a complete fire doorset is prepared and then fixed into a wall to represents its use in a real life application. The test procedure involves exposing one side of the door to the heat conditions anticipated in a fire and observing the door for stability and integrity. The doorset is tested from each side to establish performance with either face exposed to fire conditions.

P C Henderson Fire Rated Systems

At P C Henderson, we offer 2 fire rated sliding door systems. 

For FD30 sliding fire doors, our Marathon Fire Rated is the perfect solution. The system has been certified to BS476: Part 22: 1987 and should be installed on the non fire risk side of the aperature. The system is available with a self closing or non self closing option A Marathon 90 shold also be specification in addition to the Marathon Fire Rated kit. 

For sliding pocket doors with FD30 fire rating, view our Pocket Door Pro Fire Rated. This system offers a sliding door solution that works with cavity walls and has been tested as part of a 30 minute fire door assembly to BS 476: Part 22: 1987. The system is certified to FD30 standards for both single and bi-parting door applications.