Getting Fire Door Seals Right: A Simple Guide

This guide covers the basics of fitting seals for fire doors, ensuring they work correctly. We'll look at intumescent seals, smoke seals, and how to install them properly for safety.

Why Seals Matter for Fire Doors

Every fire door needs seals. These can be intumescent seals, smoke seals, or perimeter seals. For FD-30S doors, you might need a combined intumescent and smoke seal, or a compression seal fitted into the door's rebate. These seals are important for stopping fire and smoke from spreading.

Key Takeaways

• Always check that your seal is compatible with the door and meets the certificate data sheet requirements.

• There needs to be a small gap between the door frame and the door leaf for it to open and close freely.

• Clean the groove thoroughly before fitting the seal.

• Ensure the seal fits tightly and is flush with the frame or door leaf.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Before you start, gather these items:

• Tape measure

• Fine tooth saw or knife

• Intumescent seals

• Hammer

• Cloth

Preparing to Fit the Seal

First, check that the seal you're using is the right type for your door. It needs to be compatible with the door leaf and made from the correct materials, as stated in the certificate data sheet. When fitting fire door seals, there must be a gap between the door frame and the door leaf. This allows the door to open and close without any problems. For timber doors, this gap is usually between two and four millimeters. However, always check the manufacturer's instructions, as this can change depending on your specific door type.

Fitting the Intumescent or Smoke Seal

Start by removing the adhesive backing from the seal. Then, take a dry cloth and run it down the groove where the seal will go. This cleans out any loose bits and dust. Once the groove is clean, check that the seal you're using is the correct depth for that groove. Carefully install the seal. Make sure it fits snugly and sits flush with the frame or the door leaf. This same process works for combined intumescent and smoke seals too.