How to Avoid Common Fire Door Hardware Specification Mistakes

Architects, building designers, and contractors all play an important role when it comes to fire door safety.

At the design stage, an architect or building designer is responsible for ensuring the correct door hardware products have been specified on all fire doors. As a contractor or installer, it is essential to fully understand the specification process for fire door hardware critical products and how to install the products correctly to help protect lives.

Check if panic or emergency exit hardware is required

You may also need panic and emergency exit hardware depending on where the door is located. If the fire door is on an escape route, you will also need to fit panic or emergency exit hardware – the type of hardware fitted will be dependent on the building’s type, application, its occupation levels, and where it is in the building.

Emergency exit hardware

Emergency exit hardware is mainly used in buildings where users are familiar with exit routes, such as private premises including offices and warehouses, and are not accessible to the public. Devices for these doors could be a simple push pad type device or a lever handle operating a mortice escape lock or nightlatch.

Panic exit hardware

Panic hardware is used in buildings where members of the public have access to the building but may not be familiar with the exit routes, for example, hotels, hospitals, stadiums, and cinemas. This also applies to any room that has more than 60 people in it.

Any doors in areas that are accessible to the public must have a device fitted that is operable by a horizontal bar that covers at least 60% of the overall door width. As well as being easier to see and use from an accessibility point of view, it also adds another layer of safety functionality in the event of an emergency.

View the panic and emergency hardware range in the product catalogue

Check that all products have been fire tested

Life safety products (hinges, door closing devices, locks, and panic and emergency exit hardware need to be CE/UKCA marked as a mandatory measure on fire and escape doors. Any product that is CE/UKCA marked must also by law have a Declaration of Performance (DoP) in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation 2011.

A CE / UKCA mark may not always be visible, but it must be on the product, instructions, and on packaging somewhere. It can usually be located as follows:

• Lock: on the front of the faceplate
• Hinge: on the visible face of the hinge leaf
• Overhead Door closers: They can vary as some have overlying covers. If you remove a closer cover and look at the mechanism underneath you will see a CE/UKCA mark on the body if it has been tested to the correct standards. Equally, it is important to check that the unit is covered by the CE / UKCA mark in all applications Fig 1, Fig 6 & Fig 61 to accommodate any changes to plans.
• Floor Springs: Usually located on the mechanism
• Door Selectors/Co-ordinators: visible on the device after installation
• Panic and Emergency Exit Hardware: visible on the device after installation
• Door Coordinators: visible on the device after installation
• Door Sets: the label of compliance is usually found on the very top of the door

Harmonised product standards that require the application of a CE/UKCA mark

Intumescent kits

It is important that intumescent requirements for items of ironmongery are fitted in accordance with the fire doors test evidence

HOPPE (UK) also uses a separate, optional third-party accreditation scheme called Certifire for its CE/UKCA marked products. This means that any accredited products are tested and certified above and beyond the levels required for CE /UKCA marking, giving extra peace of mind to the end user.