How to Fit Internal Fire Doors

Installing an internal fire door isn’t the same as hanging a normal door.  It is a complex procedure requiring detailed understanding and should be fitted by someone with the correct training.

Failure to fit a fire door correctly will compromise the door’s performance and ultimately property and lives will be at risk. Your Building Control Officer will check for compliance of the door itself and also the way it is fitted and the components used in fitting.

All of JB Kind’s FD30 internal fire doors fully comply with Part B of the Building Regulations when fitted in accordance with their certification and we always advise working with an approved fitter who is a member of an accredited scheme e.g. FIRAS.

Here’s a helpful video that gives some top tips for fitting an internal fire door:

Fire Door Frames

Door frames form part of the fire door assembly and care must be taken to ensure that they are manufactured and fitted correctly. A fire door frame must comply with the requirements stated in the fire door’s certification to ensure valid fire door installation.

For further information, please download our fact sheet on fire door frames.

Fire Door Seals

Internal fire doors must always be fitted to incorporate the correct intumescents or smoke seals.  They play a crucial role in restricting the spread of fire and smoke and must be fitted correctly.

For a door to work effectively, it must be free to move within the frame. In order to do this, there must be a gap around the perimeter, which may compromise the doors ability to restrict the spread of fire. Therefore it is essential that intumescent strips are fitted to expand and fill the gap when subjected to heat. Nine out of ten intumescent strips are fitted on the door frame but they can also be grooved in the door edge if required. Care must be taken to ensure that the intumescent seals specified in the test evidence are used.

For more information, download our fire door seals factsheet.

Ironmongery for internal fire doors

Fitting the correct ironmongery forms part of the fire door’s test accreditation. Ironmongery includes all the items that are used on a fire door, such as hinges, overhead door closers, latches, locks and handles.

The fire door will not work in the event of a fire unless the correct ironmongery has been fitted and maintained.

All of our internal fire doors are supported by a Fire Test Assessment report which includes details of the ironmongery that can be fitted.

For more information, download our ironmongery on fire doors factsheet.

Maintenance of internal fire doors

As with any similar life-saving product, a fire door should be regularly checked to ensure that it still functions properly.  Any slight alteration to the door or its surroundings can affect the performance and its ability to last half an hour in the event of a fire.

Most of the time an internal fire door is used like any other door and is subject to everyday wear and tear. We advise cleaning your fire door in the same way as you would for a regular door and re-varnish / paint as required. If you are unsure, contact an accredited fire door fitter for more information.

For more information, download our guide to fire door maintenance which includes a detailed checklist.