Introduction to Fire-Rated Door Handles
A brief overview of their importance
Fire-rated door handles are important because they are one part of the whole that makes up an effective fire door. Fire doors halt the progress of smoke and flames during a fire, which serves two vital purposes. The first is that by stopping flames and smoke, fire doors can help preserve an escape route for people in the building, ensuring they get out safely. Secondly, fire doors help to reduce the amount of damage to a property. This is because foredoors effectively section off parts of the building, so the flames and smoke are delayed in their progress and fewer assets are damaged if the worse does occur.
Differentiating fire-rated handles from standard ones
Fire-rated handles can be differentiated from standard handles because they come with an FD rating. An FD rating means that a door handle is fire-rated, and you should never use a non-FD-rated handle in a fire door.
There are several different FD fire door handle ratings available, but the most commonly used in the UK are the FD30 and the FD60. The FD30 is a door handle that is designed to resist heat and flames for 30 minutes, while an FD60 door handle is designed to do the same for 60 mins.
A door with an FD30 rating must always be fitted with an FD30 handle, and a door with an FD60 rating must always be fitted with an F60 handle. Otherwise, you will compromise its efficacy and the safety of those using the building.
Tools and Materials for Installation
You will find that there is a wide range of tools required to install a fire door correctly, including a tape measure, a hammer, a rubber mallet, a spirit level, Phillips head screwdrivers, flat head screwdrivers, a Stanley knife, a crowbar, a chisel, a T15 Torx bit, an electric drill with hammer action, a silicone sealant gun, sealant, and a saw.
However, the good news is that to install the door handle itself you will only require the screwdrivers mentioned above, which makes the act of installing or replacing a fire-rated door handle in a fire door quite simple and easy.
However, the complicated part of installing a handle in a fire door is making sure you remain compliant. Indeed, to not do so is to compromise the safety of the door, and those using it. To that end, it's crucial that you carefully follow the step-by-step installation guide below.
Step-By-Step Door Handle Installation Guide
In this section, we’ll take you through the Step-by-step door handle installation process.
Step 1: Make sure you have the test for the door that will tell you which type of handle you will need. (FD30 or FD60).
Step 2: If relevant, fit the fire door as per manufacturer instructions (see the test certificate), or remove the old fire-rated door handle per the manufacturer's instructions without damaging the door.
Step 3: Fit the new door handle by locating the spindle through the (square) hole in the lock mechanism.
Step 4: Look for the pre-drilled holes in the door slab. Then align these with the projecting pins on the internal side of the door handle.
Step 5: Make sure handle spring washers are in position
Step 6: Secure using fixing screws supplied. (Remember these must be fireproof and should not be replaced by any other type of screw).
Testing and Quality Assurance
Guidance on how to test the installed handles
Once your fire-rated handle has been installed you must test it to make sure it functions properly, by opening the door and allowing it to be closed. Remember a fire-rated door handle that does not work properly can be just as dangerous as installing one that has no FD rating.
Ensuring compliance with safety standards
Fire safety hardware installation is a serious matter. Indeed, there are specific regulations fire doors (and their corresponding hardware) must adhere to be compliant. These include BS 476 Part 22 in the UK, or BS EN 1634 Part 1 in Europe. Additionally in England and Wales, the 2005 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order states that proper fire doors with associated hardware must be used. (NI and Scotland also have similar regulations).
To achieve this the fire-rated doors must:
- Be at least FD30
- Should come with a test certificate
- Should meet the Secure by Design standard
- Have a CE certificate from the supplier including ironmongery such as handles or be certified by one of the Certifire schemes
Maintenance Tips for Longevity
There are some strategies you can use to ensure your fire-rated door handle lasts for as long as possible. In particular, making sure that any fire door components such as handles are lubricated regularly is helpful. This is because by adding lubrication, you will ensure that the handle not only operates smoothly every time it's used but also that it reduces friction and wear and so lasts for longer.
For your fire door to remain compliant, it is also crucial to make sure that any damaged parts are replaced or repaired as quickly as possible. To ascertain whether a fire-rated door handle needs repair or replacement a professional inspection by a fire safety expert will need to be carried out. You may choose to do this internally with your nominated fire safety representative or have an outside third party perform a fire safety door inspection.
Frelan Hardware
Frelan Hardware is the top name in architectural hardware in the UK. We provide the very best in residential and commercial safety measures to ensure your next project is protected against fire and security risks. View our range of fire-rated door handles here,