Fire Door Hardware - Understanding the Essentials for Safety, Compliance and Exploring Best Solutions.

In the field of commercial architecture, safety is paramount. When it comes to fire safety, the role of fire door hardware can not be overstated. This article explores the crucial aspects of commercial fire door hardware. Through it, you will learn about the following content：

•  what is fire rated hardware？

•  what are the functions of fire door hardware?

•  what hardware is required for a fire rated door?

•  what are fire door hardware regulations?

•  Installation of fire door hardware.

•  How to choose the right fire door hardware?

•  Introduction of DIROCK Door Hardware.

What is Fire Rated Hardware？

First of all, let's understand what a fire door is. A fire door is a special door that can meet fire stability, integrity and insulation requirements for a certain period of time. It is an important part of passive fire prevention in buildings. In order to achieve its function, it is inseparable from the fire rated door hardware.

Fire rated hardware refers to a class of special architectural hardware designed for strengthening fire safety measures in buildings. The purpose of this critical door hardware is to keep the fire door closed, ensuring that the door maintains its integrity and function in the event of a fire emergency, avoiding the entry and spread of fire and smoke, and allowing the occupants to evacuate safely.

Fire resistance door hardware includes various components such as door hinges, mortise locks, door handles, profile cylinders, door closers, panic devices, and exit devices. These components are rigorously tested and certified to work in concert to improve building safety, evacuation efficiency and fire resistance. The unparalleled importance of fire rated door hardware lies in its compliance with stringent industry standards and regulations, such as EN1634-1 in Europe.

What are the Functions of Fire Door Hardware?

1. Maintain the integrity and insulation of the fire door to achieve the purpose of fire prevention.

Fire door hardware's foremost function lies in containing the rapid spread of flames and smoke within a building. They ensure that fire rated doors close smoothly and securely, preventing the unintentional creation of gaps that fire and smoke can exploit. Controlled closure also aids in maintaining the structural integrity of fire barriers, a critical aspect of limiting fire propagation. By compartmentalizing fire and smoke, these components offer occupants valuable time to evacuate and firefighters the chance to combat the blaze effectively.

2. Make sure the door can be easily and quickly opened in an emergency, and ensure safe evacuation of personnel.

Functional door hardware can help people escape in the right way. For instance, escape mortise lock, which can be opened by lever handle from inside even when it is locked. It enables quick evacuation without obstacles. These specialized components facilitate quick and uninhibited egress, minimizing the risk of congestion and ensuring occupants can escape swiftly.

What Hardware is Required for a Fire Rated Door?

Mortise lock

Fire mortise lock is subject to rigorous scrutiny under fire door hardware regulations. EN12209 dictates that these components must remain functional even under extreme heat. Fire rated mortise lock should be CE certified complying with EN12209 standard.

Fire door lock should not contain plastic, aluminum, zinc and other low melting point materials.

Fire rated mortise lock is designed to remain operational under high temperatures, ensuring that fire rated doors remain securely closed during emergencies. The latch should have a projection of 12mm, as specified by the DIN18251 standard. Only when the latch is strong enough and meets the standard requirements can it guarantee that, in the continuous spread of fire, the latch still remains engaged into the locking plate, effectively keeping the door closed.

Door hinge

Fire door hinge also plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the door. They keep the door in its correct position at all times, allowing it to maintain its fire-resistant barrier even under intense heat.

Regulations such as EN1935 and ANSI BHMA outline stringent requirements for hinges on fire doors. These regulations ensure that hinge is capable of enduring elevated temperatures, maintaining its structural integrity, and allowing fire doors to swing open seamlessly when needed. Hinge used on fire doors must be CE certified complying with EN1935 standard. Fire door hinges should not contain zinc alloys, plastics, aluminum and other materials with low melting points. Hinge must match the doors with different sizes and weight. It should be properly installed. Additionally, a minimum of three hinges is required for fire doors.

Door closer

Door closer is essential for controlled door closure, a critical aspect of fire containment. It controls the speed and force at which a door closes.

Closers are subjected to regulations like EN1154, which specify their requirements for reliable operation during fire emergencies. Door closer must comply with EN1154 standard. In the context of fire safety, they have to make sure that fire-rated doors shut promptly, preventing the spread of flames and smoke.

Lever handle

The fire rated lever handle offers excellent fire performance and is ideal for use with fire-resistant doors and locks. Its high level of fire resistance ensures that the fire mortise lock can be operated in case of fire. Lever handle must confirm to EN1906 standard.

Profile cylinder

Profile cylinder is usually used with mortise door lock, which is inside the mortise lock, and withdraw the deadbolt of the mortise lock. The profile cylinder should correspond to EN1303 standard.

What are Fire Door Hardware Regulations?

Fire door is a matter of life safety, from hinges to locks, closers to panic devices, each component plays a pivotal role in fortifying building safety during fire emergencies. But not all door hardware can be used on fire doors. Fire rated door hardware requirements are subject to industry-specific standards and regulations, to ensure the proper design, installation, and maintenance. Only tested and certified high quality door hardware can be used for fire doors.

Standards

The manufacture of fireproof door hardware must comply with relevant standards.

The EN series standards set the benchmark for fire rated door hardware. EN1634-1 is one of the key standards, which is a European standard that outlines fire resistance testing procedures for doors, including the hardware attached to them. EN1634-1 assesses factors such as fire integrity and insulation, ensuring that fire doors and their hardware perform as expected during a fire emergency. Complying with standards provides a crucial stamp of approval for fireproof door hardware's ability to safeguard lives and property.

The National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 80 standard is a cornerstone of fire door hardware regulations in the United States, which covers the installation and maintenance of fire doors, including the hardware components that play an integral role in their functionality. NFPA 80 outlines requirements for hinges, locks, latches, closers, and other hardware, ensuring that these elements are tested, certified, and installed correctly to preserve the door's fire resistance.

Third-Party Certification

   

Third-party certification ensures that hardware components have undergone rigorous testing to withstand fire conditions and meet specific standards. Fire rated hardware must be tested and certified by accredited laboratories and in line with regulations and standards. For example, INTERTEK, WARRINGTON. The Certifications validate that the hardware meets or exceeds requirements for fire integrity, insulation, and functionality.

Labeling and Marking

Fire rated door hardware components often require proper labeling and marking to indicate their fire rating and compliance with regulations. Such as CE marking. Labels provide essential information for inspectors and occupants.

Fire Rating Compatibility

Fire door hardware must match the fire rating of the fire door. Fire doors have different fire ratings. Common ones are 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and 120 minutes fire doors. Hardware components, such as hinges, locks, and closers, should meet the corresponding fire rating, maintaining their fire resistance and integrity under the designated fire exposure time. For example, a 60-minute fire door can only be matched with door hardware that has a fire resistance time of 60 minutes or more.

Installation of Fire Door Hardware

Proper installation is the backbone of fire rated door hardware effectiveness. It must be properly installed according to manufacturer's instructions and relevant International standards.

For example：

The installation of hinges should ensure that hinges are aligned correctly with the door and frame. Also, they should allow the door to swing freely to prevent any binding or rubbing that could compromise their performance during a fire emergency. On fire doors, the hinges should be installed full mortised to make sure the gap between the door frame and door leaf is 3±1mm.

The installation of mortise locks requires meticulous attention to detail and comply with DIN18251. And should ensure that mortise lock engages smoothly and securely with strike plates and frames, providing a tight seal when closed. Proper installation prevents overwide gaps that fire and smoke could exploit. And the gap between door frame and door leaf should be 3±1mm.

And for the installation of door closers, correct installation includes adjusting the closer's speed and force to ensure that the door closes effectively. Improperly installed closers can lead to door gaps or doors that slam shut, compromising both safety and structural integrity.

Intumescent seals are needed to make sure seals are continuous and properly aligned to create an effective barrier.

After installation, conduct thorough inspections to verify that hardware functions correctly. Test door closures, locks, latches, and panic devices to ensure smooth operation.

Regular inspections and maintenance are essential in mitigating the wear and tear on hardware components over time. This process not only aims to extend the service life of the hardware but also reduces the need for frequent replacements, ultimately saving money.

How to Choose the Right Fire Door Hardware?

Understand Regulations and Standards

The foundation of selecting fire resistance door hardware lies in understanding regulations and standards. Familiarize yourself with CE regulation, European Standard, and local building codes. Ensure that the hardware you choose complies with these standards, assuring that it has undergone rigorous testing to withstand fire conditions.

Prioritize Third-Party Certification

Third-party certification is a hallmark of reliable fire door hardware. Hardware components tested and certified by accredited laboratories provide reassurance of their performance under fire conditions.

Healthy of the Factory

When choosing fire door hardware, factory compliance and health are also very important. A compliant factory can ensure the stability and traceability of product quality in production. You can focus on whether the factory has passed the quality management system ISO9001 and whether there is a third-party certification.

Introduction of DIROCK Door Hardware

A Commitment to Quality

As a professional fire rated architectural door hardware manufacturer and supplier, we have been specializing in this field for 13 years. We mainly produce European standard door hardware series, including fire rated mortise lock, fire rated door handle, fire door hinge and profile cylinder. Our door hardware undergoes rigorous testing and third-party certification to ensure that it meets and surpasses industry standards. When you choose DIROCK, you're choosing hardware that has been proven to withstand the rigors of fire emergencies.

Our factory is healthy and compliant. We have ISO9001 quality control management system certificate. Certification of ISO14001 and 45001 is currently under preparation and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

A Collection of Compliance Products

1. Mortise locks have CE certificate according to EN12209 . Dimension confirm to DIN18251. 

    Pass fire resistance test 240mins on steel door & 90mins on wooden door according to EN1634-1.

2. Lever handles have Test Verification of Conformity according to EN1906. Dimension confirm to DIN18273. 

    Pass fire resistance test 120mins on steel door & 60min on wooden door according to EN1634.

3. Profile cylinders have Test Verification of Conformity according to EN1303. Dimension confirm to DIN18252. 

    Pass fire resistance test 60mins on wooden door according to EN1634.

4. Door hinges have CE certificate according to EN1935. 

    Pass fire resistance test 240mins on steel door & 60mins on wooden door according to EN1634.

A Partner in Fire Safety

Choosing DIROCK Door Hardware is choosing a partner in fire safety. Our team of experts collaborates closely with architects, builders, and fire safety professionals to deliver one stop door hardware solutions that align with your vision and safety goals.

Explore our range of certified fire door hardware Now!