Latching mechanism for fire door

[shagster]

Hi all,

I've found hinges that are classified as for use on fire doors, but not latches. Can anyone recommend a suitable latch for 30 mins fire door? If there are no regulations governing this, what is normally used?

many thanks,
S,

 

[noseall]

I think a fire door can still be a fire door without having a latch, i.e. there are fire doors that swing.

I guess the main criteria is that it closes.

There are plastic latches available, so i would avoid these.

 

[brk1]

Just use a normal mortice latch, basically all these townhouses as they're called (3 storey) that are always built these days ,virtually all the doors inside these houses have to be fire door (apart from cuboards etc) then some of those have to be as well, but they still get the standard latch and handles that are fitted to the rest of the doors, be careful with paying for those hinges as well, I don't ever remember needing special hinges either , basically a pair and a half (3) quality 4" hinges are all that are required to basically stop the door bending and to take the extra weight, if you are fitting it as a fire door, they are usually required to be self closing as well, this is usually done by fitting a Perko, or similar named device

If you need it to lock thats no problem, just fit a dead lock or a mortice lock, and don't forget the door brushes, there supposed to be on there as well , both sides and the head, either in the frame or on the door, yes there a pain in the a**e but should be fitted to a fire door.

If it hasn't got to be a real pretty door or just painted, we used to hang personel doors between the garage and the internal house that are basically just painted door blanks (plain flat both sides), these were very light but still fire rated, they were basically a hollow door filled with what looked like already burnt materials? But they really were light compared to these new internal fire doors (same pattern as any door you want).

Also what fire rating you want will help decide on the door weight factor, a 1hr door will be heavier than a 1/2 hr fire door

 

[shagster]

Unfortunately, I already got the door in the liner, using three of "those expensive hinges" It was also one of the heavier ones (got it from Wickes), although it's interesting to know you can get light ones. It's between garage and kitchen, so I'll just put in a tubular latch.

thanks,
S.

 

[JohnD]

fire doors are very heavy, when I changed mine, I made sure to get lift-off hinges, which make it much easier to take off for redecorating, carpeting or shifting furniture.

The hinges do need to be quite solid due to the weight.

 

[dannytylerwells]

fire rated hinges must be used, (2 at the top of the door one at the bottom of the door) the gap round the door must be no greater than 3-5mm, latch can be a standard door latch (65mm-75mm) also a fire 15mm intumescent strip will have to be routed in to the door too, also must include a door closer, also should have 25x25mm door stop fitted, just fitting a fire door on its own with out all the extras is a bit pointless, as its the smoke that will get u , a correctly fitted fire door could save ur life

 

[JohnD]

you are out of date, danny.

 

[dannytylerwells]

following the regs for our local housing associations which i work for, could u tell me where out of date please

cheers dan

 

[JohnD]

closers no longer required in ordinary homes (because they encourage people to wedge the doors open all the time)

either smoke strip or big stops. not required to have both

Your HA can do whatever it wants, of course, but "regs" is not the correct word.

try this http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/faqs/dwelling

 

[dannytylerwells]

thanks for the info, however the things iv listed is required as its kitchen to garage? same as in flats these are the requirments, not for in your ordinary house where fire doors are not required, i think were on the same lines here i should have worded it a bit better