How to Choose and Install the Right Ironmongery for Fire Doors

Practical Guide #7

For: Joiners, installers, building managers, specifiers, and fire door inspectors.

Why Ironmongery Is a Critical Component

Fire doors are only as good as the components they’re fitted with. Hinges, locks, latches, closers, and even door handles must be compatible with the fire rating and the door-set’s tested evidence. If you install uncertified or substitute hardware, you can instantly void the certification — even if everything else is perfect.

This guide outlines how to choose and fit compliant ironmongery for FD30 and FD60 fire doors.

1. Understand Fire Door Ironmongery Requirements

For a typical FD30 or FD60 fire door, the following hardware is either required or strongly recommended:

• Hinges (minimum 3, CE/UKCA marked)

• Latch or lock (fire-rated, tested with intumescent kit if needed)

• Door closer (especially on flat entrance doors and corridor fire doors)

• Handles / levers / D-handles

• Intumescent kits for protection behind hinges and latches

• Signage (“Fire Door Keep Shut”, etc.)

• Door viewer / spyhole (if used, must be fire-rated)

Optional but common:

• Drop seals

• Overhead stops or restrictors

• Electro-magnetic hold-opens (must fail-safe on alarm)

2. Choosing the Right Components

Hinges

• Use 3 fire-rated hinges minimum (4 for heavier doors or FD60)

• Hinges must be CE or UKCA marked, tested to BS EN 1935

• Stainless steel is standard

• Fix with the correct screws — typically 4.5mm x 32mm steel screws

• Fit intumescent hinge pads behind leaves if required by the manufacturer

Locks and Latches

• Must be tested with fire doors (not all locks are)

• Look for BS EN 12209 or BS EN 1634-1 ratings

• Avoid tubular latches unless specifically fire-rated

• Always use intumescent protection kits behind lock/latch cases

Door Closers

• Required on most fire doors — especially communal, corridor, or entrance doors

• Must conform to BS EN 1154

• Correct power rating is critical (e.g., size 3 minimum for fire doors)

• Check if door was tested with that model of closer — certification matters

Handles and Levers

• No specific fire rating required unless part of lock system

• Must not interfere with the closer or seals

• Avoid over-drilling, oversized screws, or handle sets that reduce door edge integrity

Drop Seals

• Only required where under-door gap must be ≤3mm (e.g. FD30S smoke-rated doors)

• Must be tested with a fire door leaf to be used on FD-rated sets

3. Installation Guidelines

Before Installing:

• Read the manufacturer’s datasheet or test evidence

• Confirm which components require intumescent protection

• Ensure the door leaf hasn’t been over-cut or weakened

During Installation:

• Mark out accurately using templates or door manufacturer guides

• Rout mortices carefully — especially for locks and closers

• Use sharp chisels or routers — avoid ragged edges that compromise seal

• Clean and de-dust mortices before installing intumescent pads

• Fit hardware flush, square, and tight

After Installation:

• Confirm door self-closes and latches securely

• Check that seals are unbroken, continuous, and not pinched

• Ensure no part of the ironmongery obstructs or damages the seals

• Photograph or document fitted components for inspection or O&M files

4. Common Errors to Avoid

• Using domestic latches or handles on fire doors

• Forgetting intumescent kits behind locks and hinges

• Installing hold-open devices without automatic release on alarm

• Mixing hardware from different manufacturers with incompatible test data

• Cutting into doors without checking certification scope

• Fitting closers to doors not tested with that closer

Final Notes

• Always match ironmongery to the specific fire door manufacturer’s test evidence

• If you're not sure, check the door-set’s Field of Application (EXAP) document

• For retrofits, always try to replace like-for-like, unless test data allows otherwise