Selecting the right fire door hardware for your building’s fire doors is essential. In the event of a fire, your fire doors won’t perform as intended unless all essential hardware has been correctly specified, installed and maintained. More than just the door, a fire door isn’t just the door leaf, but a complete assembly comprising the frame, intumescent fire and smoke seals, glazing and signage, along with other door hardware, such as hinges, closers, locks and latches.

Unfortunately, fire doors are often not recognised as part of a building’s fire protection system. Fire doors are used without consideration, yet they are much more than a simple piece of furniture and are a critical element of passive fire protection, alongside active fire protection methods, such as alarm systems and extinguishers.

Like fire doors, emergency evacuation procedures play an important role in commercial and public buildings, where an escape door is the final exit on designated escape routes. As such, all doors along these routes should be fire-rated to delay the spread of fire and smoke and allow safe evacuation.

 

The Responsible Person should consider the following fire door hardware:

 

Hinges

• Fire doors must be hung on a minimum of 3 fire-certified hinges
• Hinges must comply with BS EN 1935and be CE / UKCA marked with a fire identification stamp clearly visible
• Hinges must be securely held in place with appropriately sized screws
• Rising butt or spring hinges are NOT permitted for use on fire doors
• There should be no sign of metal fragments or oil leakage; these indicators point to worn hinges that will not perform as required and need to be replaced

 

Locks & Latches

• Locks and latches must be fitted with intumescent protection to maintain the integrity of the fire door
• Latch should hold the door firmly in place without rattling
• Latch/deadbolt should engage fully into the strike plate
• Latch bolts or strike plates with metal dust deposits indicate wear and tear and should be replaced

 

Door Closers

• All fire doors, except those to locked cupboards and service ducts, should be fitted with a fire door closer
• Fire door closers must be capable of closing the door from any angle of opening and strong enough to overcome the resistance of any latch or seal
• Door closers should close the door in no longer than 20 seconds
• Door closers must conform to BS EN 1154 and/or BS EN 1155 and be UKCA / CE marked
• Fire doors can be fitted with concealed, overhead, or floor-mounted door closers
• Concealed closers are fitted within the door leaf and frame and use a spring to close the door. They must be fitted with the correct intumescent material
• Overhead door closers are fixed to the face of the door or frame and close the door from a fully open position
• Floor spring closers are mounted into the floor screed to close the door
• Electromagnetic fire door closers hold a fire door in the open position with an electrically powered magnet. Linked to the building's fire alarm system, when the alarm is activated, the door automatically closes
• Door closers must be free from damage and not leaking oil

 

Door Closers are Crucial Fire Door Hardware

A fire door consists of many components, but for proper operation, a fully functioning door closer is essential, as an open door won’t contain a fire. As such, door closers must pass a series of standardised tests to meet certification and reliability requirements.

 

Fire Safety Footprints

The fire doors required in your building will be determined by the fire risk assessment, which indicates where fire doors should be used and what rating they should be. The ‘Responsible Person’ should ensure an up-to-date fire risk assessment has been carried out and that any fire doors are inspected correctly and maintained to ensure compliance. Failure to do so can place property and lives at risk and is likely to result in criminal prosecution.

Careful consideration must be given to the specification and installation of fire doors and their hardware. Commercial and public buildings can vary in size, functionality, and accessibility preferences, and the responsible person must consider these when addressing fire door safety. Between budgets, time constraints, and a lack of subject-matter expertise, commercial property landlords and business owners often rely on external expertise for hardware specification and installation. In some cases, a full-service approach works in the building’s favour, with fire safety managed professionally and formally by accredited third parties. As is their responsibility, a designated responsible person must always pay attention to what is happening inside their own building.

 

Need Replacement Fire Door Hardware?

Fire door safety requires correct selection, competent installation and ongoing maintenance. Clear responsibilities and up-to-date risk assessments (aligned with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and, where applicable, the Building Safety Act 2022) are essential to keep occupants safe and comply with the law.

From fire door closers and hold-open devices to hinges and exit devices, your fire door hardware should be tested and certified. Still in doubt, or in need of replacement hardware? Call us today on 0161 796 7268.

If you’re a specifier, installer or responsible for maintaining a fire door, it’s also important that you can select and fit the correct fire door hardware with the necessary level of competence. Our state-of-the-art fire door training centre offers the accredited training courses and regulated qualifications you and your team need to feel confident and remain compliant. Contact fdm.info@allegion.com and upskill your workforce today.

Don’t miss #FireDoorSafetyWeek 2026 - 21–25 September.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is fire door hardware?

Fire door hardware covers the parts fitted to a fire door to ensure it closes and seals correctly. That includes hinges, door closers, locks and latches with intumescent protection, intumescent and smoke seals, glazing frames, hold-open devices and signage. Each part must be certified for use on the tested assembly.

 

Q. How many hinges are required on a fire door?

Most commercial and public fire doors require a minimum of three fire-certified hinges, fitted with appropriate screws and bearing BS EN 1935 and CE/UKCA marks. Heavy doors or special conditions may need more; follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

 

Q: Do fire doors need door closers?

Yes, except for certain locked cupboards and service ducts. Closers must meet BS EN 1154 or BS EN 1155, close the door from any angle and complete closure within 20 seconds. Electromagnetic hold-open devices must release on fire alarm activation.

 

Q: Can I replace a single part on a fire door?

You can, but replacements must be certified for that door assembly. Installing a non-certified component can compromise the door’s rating and the building’s compliance.

 

Q: How often should fire door hardware be inspected?

At least every six months, with more frequent checks in high-traffic or high-risk areas. Record each inspection and any corrective actions taken.