Steel Fire Doors

A fire door is a self-closing steel safety door that delays the passage of flames, hot gases and smoke into adjacent spaces for a defined period. It is tested to EN 1634-1 and classified E/EI. Fitted with a panic bar, door closer and smoke seal, it is required by regulation in stairwells, boiler rooms and car park passages.

E stands for integrity and I for thermal insulation; the number indicates minutes. EI60 limits the passage of flames and heat for 60 minutes, EI90 for 90 minutes and EI120 for 120 minutes. The class is selected according to the room type and the regulatory calculation. On handover, a test report showing the class, a CE declaration and a door label are provided.

A fire door must be self-closing because a door left open removes the compartment and allows smoke and flames to pass into other areas. A hydraulic closer returns the leaf to the frame, and on double doors a selector maintains the closing sequence. Wedging a fire door open breaches the regulations; if it must stay open, a magnetic hold-open linked to the fire panel is used.

Yes, on fire doors located on escape routes and used for mass evacuation, a panic bar (EN 1125) or emergency exit handle (EN 179) is required in the direction of escape. A panic bar opens the door in a single movement under body pressure during crowded evacuation. The required hardware is determined at design stage based on the building’s use class and occupancy.

Fire door installation time depends on site readiness, frame type and the number of doors; a single door in a prepared wall opening is usually fitted within a few hours. The door is not handed over until the frame is plumb and the infill and seal continuity are correct. For multi-door projects, a clear floor-by-floor installation schedule is shared after the site survey.