Author: Haseela Siddiqui
A fire door is a complete tested doorset, and its hardware is an important part of that system. The exact hardware requirements depend on the doorset design, fire resistance level, door configuration, application and the relevant tested or assessed construction.
For a typical hinged fire door set, the hardware arrangement will generally include suitable hinges, an approved latching mechanism and a self-closing device where required by the applicable installation and tested configuration.
Fire and smoke seals may also form part of the doorset construction. Their purpose is to help control the passage of fire, hot gases and smoke through the gaps around the door. However, seals are not simply an accessory that can be selected independently. The type, location and installation of seals need to correspond with the approved doorset construction.
E-Core, for example, provides specific door seal preparation as part of its fire-door systems and has approvals covering different seal and construction arrangements.
The same principle applies to locks, latches, hinges and door closers. A product being described as fire rated does not automatically mean it can be installed on every fire door. The hardware needs to be compatible with the particular tested or assessed doorset.
Hinges, Latches, Closers and Seals Work Together
It is useful to think of fire-door hardware as four key functions rather than simply four individual products.
The hinges support and control the movement of the door leaf.
The latch or lock secures the door in the closed position.
The door closer returns the door to the closed position after it has been opened, where a self-closing arrangement is required.
The seals help maintain the intended fire and smoke performance of the gaps around the doorset where the approved construction requires them.
These components work together. If a door does not close correctly, the latch cannot engage properly. If the wrong seal is installed, the approved gap or fire-performance arrangement may be affected. If hardware is substituted without checking the approval, the completed doorset may no longer correspond with the tested configuration.
This is why fire-door hardware should be considered during the specification and manufacturing stage rather than treated as an item to be selected after the door has been installed.
Is a Door Closer Required on a Fire Door?
For many fire doors, yes.
The NCC requires fire doors in a number of applications to be self-closing or automatic-closing. For example, the NCC provisions covering protected doorways require fire doors to be self-closing or automatic-closing, depending on the application.
A self-closing fire door uses a closing device to return the door to the closed position. An automatic-closing arrangement may be initiated by a fire detection or alarm system, depending on the application and NCC requirements.
However, this does not mean that every fire door uses the same type of closer or that every leaf of a double doorset must automatically have an individual closer.
The closer arrangement needs to achieve the required closing performance for the specific doorset. Double doors may also require coordinated closing arrangements so that the leaves close correctly and the latching system engages.
For this reason, the correct question is not simply “How many closers does this fire door need?” but rather “What closing arrangement is required for this tested doorset and its application?”
Do Fire Doors Require Seals?
Seals are an important consideration, particularly where the tested doorset relies on seals to achieve its fire or smoke performance.
Fire-door seals can include intumescent materials and, depending on the doorset and application, smoke-control or other approved sealing arrangements.
When exposed to high temperatures, intumescent materials can expand and help close gaps around the door assembly.
However, the seal specification should not be treated as a generic product selection.
The type of seal, its position, dimensions, installation method and the clearances around the door can all be relevant to the tested construction.
E-Core’s published product information specifically identifies door seal preparation as an available feature of its fire-door systems and also identifies smoke-door applications.
This is why replacing an approved seal with another product that appears similar should only be done after confirming that the alternative is permitted for the particular doorset.
What About Locks and Access Control?
Modern buildings often require fire doors to incorporate access control, electric locks, exit devices or other specialised hardware.
This does not automatically make the hardware unsuitable for a fire door. The important consideration is whether the particular hardware arrangement has been tested, assessed or otherwise approved for use with the relevant doorset.
E-Core’s product range, for example, includes electric lock preparation as an available feature.
Where access-control hardware is required, it should therefore be considered at the design and specification stage.
The preparation of the door, frame and hardware locations should be consistent with the approved construction. Unauthorised cutting, drilling or modification on site can potentially affect the performance of the doorset.
What About Fire Bolts?
Fire bolts are another area where assumptions can cause confusion.
Fire bolts are not something that should simply be added to every pair of fire doors because the doors are fire rated.
The suitability and requirement for fire bolts depend on the particular doorset and application.
E-Core has also published a specific technical position regarding the use of fire bolts in its fire-resistant doorsets, noting that its doorsets have been assessed in relation to AS 1530.4:2014 and AS 1905.1:2015.
The important point for a project team is to check the approved configuration rather than assuming that fire bolts are universally required or prohibited.
What About Double Fire Doors?
Double fire doors require particular attention because the two leaves need to operate as a coordinated door set.
The hardware arrangement needs to allow the leaves to close correctly and achieve the required latching position.
Depending on the tested configuration, this may involve different closer arrangements, latching hardware or door coordination.
Therefore, it is not technically correct to state that every double fire door must have two closers, nor is it correct to state that every double fire door only needs one closer.
The correct arrangement depends on the tested or assessed doorset.
The Complete Doorset Matters
One of the most important principles when specifying fire-door hardware is that the door should not be considered separately from its frame and hardware.
E-Core describes its fire-door systems as being designed and tested to AS 1905.1:2015 and provides configurations for commercial and residential fire doors, double-action doors, sliding fire doors, acoustic doors, smoke doors and other specialist applications.
This range of applications demonstrates why a single generic hardware list cannot be applied to every fire door.
The required hardware and construction can change depending on the application, door configuration, fire rating, wall system, frame type, seals and other approved features.
A Practical Fire Door Hardware Checklist
Before hardware is ordered or installed, the project team should confirm the required fire resistance level and identify the exact doorset configuration.
The following should then be checked:
The door leaf construction and dimensions
The frame construction and wall type
The approved hinge arrangement
The approved lock or latch
The required self-closing or automatic-closing arrangement
The approved fire and smoke sealing arrangement
Any requirements for door coordination on double doors
Whether fire bolts are required or permitted
Whether access-control or electric hardware is approved
Whether kick plates, protective facings or other accessories are permitted
The permitted installation clearances
The manufacturer’s installation requirements
The applicable AS 1530.4 test evidence, AS 1905.1 requirements and relevant NCC provisions
Why Getting the Hardware Right Matters
A fire door can look correctly installed and still have an issue if the hardware or associated components do not match the approved configuration.
A closer that does not allow the door to close fully, a latch that does not engage, an incorrectly installed seal or an unauthorised hardware modification can all affect the way the doorset performs.
The objective is therefore not simply to install a fire-rated door with fire-rated hardware.
The objective is to install a complete doorset that matches the required tested and approved construction and can perform its intended function.
For builders, architects, contractors and project managers, checking the hardware early can prevent costly changes during installation and, more importantly, helps ensure that the completed fire doorset is installed in accordance with its required fire-performance documentation.
At Radiant Doors & Frames, we understand that fire-door performance starts well before installation. The door, frame, hardware, seals and installation details all need to be considered together.
When specifying a fire door, always refer to the relevant test evidence, manufacturer’s technical documentation and approved hardware requirements for the specific doorset rather than relying on a generic hardware list.