Your Guide To Fitting a Fire Door Frame

Fitting a fire door frame isn’t just another home improvement project—it’s an essential step in ensuring the safety of your home or commercial property. 

In 2022 alone, the UK Fire and Rescue Service attended over 35,000 dwelling fires, with nearly 77% of fire-related fatalities occurring in the home, according to the Home Office. Properly installed fire doors, including their frames, play a vital role in slowing the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants crucial time to escape and emergency services a better chance to respond.

However, the effectiveness of a fire door is only as good as its installation. Every detail, from the alignment of the door leaf to the placement of fire door seals, contributes to the door’s ability to withstand fire. 

This guide will help you navigate the process of fitting a fire door frame, ensuring your installation is both safe and compliant with UK regulations.

Why Fire Door Frames Matter

Before diving into the installation process, it’s crucial to understand why fire door frames are so important. Fire doors are not just regular doors with a label; they are part of a complex fire safety system. The fire door frame, along with the fire door leaf, seals, and closers, forms a unit designed to maintain the door’s effectiveness in resisting fire.

A valid fire door installation relies on the entire assembly working in harmony. If one component, such as the frame, is not installed correctly, the door’s ability to perform in a fire could be compromised. This could potentially put lives at risk, which is why following the manufacturer’s instructions and fire safety regulations is non-negotiable.

Read More: 10 Fire Door Statistics To Know in 2024

Key considerations Before Installation

Internal fire doors are engineered for safety, protecting escape routes and preventing the spread of fire. There are four key considerations when choosing and installing a suitable product:

Certification and compatibility

Labels found on the edge of UK fire doors identify the manufacturer’s name, its unique traceability code and its rating – typically, they offer 30 or 60 minutes resistance against smoke and flames and will carry an FD30 or FD60 rating.

Make sure all ironmongery is also fixed firmly and CE marked, so you can be certain it will perform against fire and can be traced. Also ensure all hardware, frames, linings, casings, intumescent strips and smoke seals are compatible.

Operation

If you are using a door closer, it needs to be CE marked and compatible with your fire door so it latches from any position. In the event of a fire, the intumescent seal will only work effectively if the door is closed firmly, ensuring no smoke can leak through the gaps

Alterations

Never trim the top edge of the door, as this holds vital safety information. If you need to make size adjustments, always check the instructions first as the allowance can vary.

Cutting holes for glazing or air transfer grilles, reducing the door size more than specified tolerances or removing safety markings will negate your certification. Building regulations are very strict and any small changes to the door or ironmongery may significantly affect its fire rating.

Gaps

Non-combustible sealant must be used to fill any gaps between the doorframe and the wall, to prevent smoke penetration, whilst the space around the door itself must be no more than 3mm at the top and sides and 10mm at the bottom.

Intumescent strips fitted into the frame or door edges lie dormant in everyday use, but expand rapidly when exposed to extreme heat, creating a barrier against fire. Certain seals protect against smoke as well. Sometimes intumescent pads also are used behind the hinges and wrapped around locks and latches, but this depends on the fire door’s certification.

Slim fit fire doors

Until now, meeting fire regulations has been time consuming and complicated, however, JELD-WEN has introduced a 35mm slim door to simplify the process.

Combining safety and style, the 35mm internal door is 9mm narrower than traditional fire doors, allowing it to be used with most existing frames. It has a 30 minute rating and is certified by the BWF-CERTFIRE scheme.

Oak, moulded and veneer 35mm fire doors are available in a variety of styles and finishes. View our range of fire doors for more information.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Before starting, gather all the tools and materials you’ll need:

• Fire Door Frame: Ensure it’s compatible with the fire door leaf.
• Fire Door Leaf: Check it’s the correct size and specification.
• Fire Door Seals: These are critical for preventing the spread of smoke.
• Frame Fixings: Use fire-rated fixings to secure the frame.
• Shims and Packers: For adjusting the frame position.
• Fire Door Closers: Required for self-closing fire doors.
• Drill and Bits: For securing the frame.
• Screws: Use ones specified for fire door installation.
• Level: To ensure the frame is plumb.
• Tape Measure: Accuracy is key.
• Saw: If any trimming is needed.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Preparing the Doorway

Start by preparing the existing door frame or the space where the fire door frame will be installed. The opening should be slightly larger than the frame to allow for adjustments. Remove any debris or obstructions that might interfere with the installation.

Tip: If you’re replacing an old door, ensure the doorway is structurally sound. Any damage to the surrounding area should be repaired before you begin.

2. Positioning the Fire Door Frame

Place the fire door frame in the opening. Use shims and packers to adjust the frame until it is perfectly level and plumb. This step is crucial because an uneven frame can cause problems when you install the fire door leaf, potentially affecting the door’s effectiveness during a fire.

3. Fixing the Frame

Once you’re satisfied with the frame’s position, it’s time to secure it using fire-rated frame fixings. Start by drilling pilot holes in the frame at the top, middle, and bottom, ensuring they align with the existing door frames if you’re using them. The screws should be inserted deeply enough to hold the frame firmly, but not so tight that they distort the frame.

Tip: Don’t fully tighten the screws until all fixings are in place. This allows for final adjustments before securing the frame completely.

4. Installing the Fire Door Leaf

With the frame securely in place, you can now hang the fire door leaf. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct positioning of the hinges. The hinges must be fire-rated and capable of supporting the weight of the door. Attach the hinges to the door leaf first, then carefully position the door in the frame and secure the hinges to the frame.

Make sure the door opens and closes smoothly. If it binds or sticks, you may need to make minor adjustments to the frame or door leaf.

5. Fitting Fire Door Seals

Fire door seals are a vital component of the fire door assembly. These intumescent seals expand in the heat of a fire, sealing the gap between the door and the frame to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. The seals should be fitted into the grooves around the door leaf as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Note: If the door doesn’t have pre-cut grooves, you’ll need to cut these yourself, ensuring they’re the correct depth and width for the seals.

6. Installing the Fire Door Closer

Fire door closers are often a legal requirement, particularly in commercial properties. These devices ensure that the fire door closes automatically after being opened. Install the fire door closer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring it is adjusted to close the door smoothly and securely.

7. Final Checks and Adjustments

After all components are installed, perform a thorough check:

• Door Alignment: Ensure the door leaf is square within the frame.
• Seals: Check that the fire door seals are correctly fitted and not damaged.
• Hinges: Make sure all hinges are secure and that the door opens and closes without any resistance.
• Closer: Test the fire door closer to confirm it closes the door fully.
• Gaps: Verify that the gaps around the door leaf are within the specified limits (typically 3mm around the sides and top, and up to 10mm at the bottom).

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with careful planning, it’s easy to make mistakes when installing a fire door frame. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Incorrect Frame Size: Using a frame that’s too small or too large for the door leaf can result in improper fitting and reduced fire performance.
• Improper Fixing: Not using the correct fire-rated fixings or failing to secure the frame properly can lead to the door leaf not functioning correctly.
• Misaligned Seals: If the fire door seals aren’t fitted correctly, they may not expand properly in a fire, compromising the door’s effectiveness.
• Ignoring Manufacturer’s Instructions: Each fire door assembly is unique, and the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed precisely. Ignoring these can lead to non-compliance and reduced fire safety.

Looking for Expert Fire Door Options?

Remember, fire doors are an essential part of your property’s fire safety system. Ensuring they are installed and maintained correctly is not just about compliance—it’s about protecting lives. If you have any doubts or concerns about your ability to complete the installation, seek professional advice or assistance to ensure the job is done correctly.

DoorsDirect2u specialise in providing a comprehensive range of internal fire doors tailored to meet the rigorous safety standards required in the United Kingdom. Our selection is designed to offer both protection and elegance, seamlessly integrating into any interior design.

For ease of access in high traffic areas, our glazed fire doors allow visibility while maintaining fire resistance. With competitive prices across our fire-rated door range, you’re sure to find the ideal fire-rated doors at DoorsDirect2U.

Browse our collection today and ensure your home meets its fire safety objectives!

Fitting a Fire Door Frame FAQs