Do Door Handles Need To Be Fire Rated?

Fire doors are critical components of a building's passive fire protection system. Designed to contain flames and smoke within specific areas, they create physical barriers that provide evacuation time for occupants and minimize fire damage. Fire doors must comply with rigorous standards (e.g., EN 1634-1 in Europe), undergo fire integrity testing, and carry CE marking with Declaration of Performance (DoP). Their effectiveness depends on the three-element compliance of "door - door hardware - installation". Properly installed fire door accessories work synergistically to maintain fire door integrity. All components, including handles, require third-party certified CE certificates, test reports and DoP. Using uncertified components voids the door's fire rating.

In this blog, we discuss fire door handles, the content covers why fire doors need specialized handles, definition, requirements, regulatory standards, installation and maintenance and selection criteria.

Do fire doors need special handles?

Fire doors must be equipped with specialized handles, known as fire-rated handles. This is a mandatory regulatory requirement. Fire-rated door handles maintain functionality during a fire, ensuring the door's fire containment performance and enabling rapid evacuation. When installing fire doors, door supplier typically provides a detailed specification sheet that clearly outline the required specifications and parameters for door hardware, including fire-resistance ratings and material requirements. Under no circumstances should ordinary handles be substituted, as they cannot maintain structural integrity under extreme temperatures. They will deform or melt, compromising the entire fire door's protective capability, obstructing effective evacuation, and in severe cases, can endanger lives.

What is a fire rated door handle?

1. Definition

A fire handle is a specially designed door hardware component that can withstand high temperatures and maintain operational functionality during a fire. It must undergo rigorous testing and certification to meet relevant standards (such as EN 1906 and EN 1634-1). These fire proof door handles are usually made from high-strength, fire-resistant materials to ensure they do not melt or deform during a fire. They maintain the integrity of the fire door, prevent further spread of fire and smoke, and ensure reliable operation, allowing occupants can smoothly open the fire door for escape.

2. What are fire door handles constructed of ?

Door handles for fire doors are typically made from materials with high heat resistance and durability. Stainless steel is a common material for fire door handles. It offers excellent high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, maintaining stable performance during a fire. Furthermore, stainless steel has high strength, capable of withstanding significant external forces to ensure the handle remains undamaged in emergencies. In addition, the components of a fire door handle set - spindle, must be made of steel or other high-temperature-resistant materials and designed as a solid piece to prevent deformation or damage under high temperatures.

3. Structure and design requirements for fire door handles

The materials and design of fire handles must meet specific requirements:

    ● Fire performance: The materials and structural design must ensure that during a fire, the integrity of the fire door's performance is maintained unaffected, while simultaneously guaranteeing the door can be opened quickly for emergency escape.

   ● Durability: Door handles must possess sufficient lifespan and pass the durability tests required (e.g., the number of cycles specified in EN 1906) for their intended use environment  to prevent deformation, or damage due to heavy use.

   ● Ergonomics and safety: The shape of the handle is also very important. It should be designed with the principle of prioritizing life safety in mind. For example, it should be easy for the elderly and children to open with one hand, even when hands are wet or wearing gloves. A lever handle design with an end that curves back towards the door leaf is recommended to avoid the risk of snagging clothing during an emergency. A design that conforms to human biomechanics is crucial for ensuring that the door can be quickly opened by instinctive downward pressure in a panic situation.

Fire door handles regulations and standards

Certification provides authoritative validation for fire-rated door handles. In different countries and regions, fire handles must comply with a series of strict regulations and standards. It is crucial to emphasize that not only fire handles but also all associated hardware for fire rated doors must meet the corresponding regulatory and standard requirements to ensure the safety of people and property within buildings. These standards specify key indicators and test methods for hardware, including durability, fire performance and so on. Only fire door hardware that has passed third-party independent testing according to the standard requirements and obtained certification is qualified for practical application.

For fire door handles in the European market, compliance with the EN 1906 and EN 1634-1 standards is required. In the North American market, they must comply with international standards such as UL 10C and NFPA 80 to prove their reliability in a fire.

Compliance of fire handles is not only a legal requirement but also a necessary condition for many insurance policies. Non-compliant handles may lead to legal liability or insurance claim issues. Only certified fire handles can provide long-term and reliable performance assurance.

 How to install and maintain fire door handles?

Installation:

Whether fire door handles and other fire door ironmongery are effectively installed is also a key factor that affects the overall performance of fire doors.

   ● Always select fire door handles that comply with standards and install them on certified fire-rated doors that are compatible.

   ● Strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. It is recommended to commission professional installers.

   ● Fire door handles should be securely fitting to the door leaf, ensuring a stable connection without any wobbling or looseness.

   ● After installation, check the compatibility and coordination with other door hardware components (such as the mortise lock). For example, ensure the handle operates smoothly to retract the latch bolt, enabling normal door opening and closing.

Maintenance:

It is recommended to conduct regular comprehensive inspections of fire door handles to ensure their proper functioning:

   ● Check screws and other fasteners for looseness; tighten them promptly if found loose.

   ● Apply lubrication as needed to prevent sticking and rust, ensuring smooth handle operation.

   ● Inspect the appearance for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Replace any damaged parts immediately if found, using only certified replacement parts.

   ● Clean regularly with a soft cloth.

   ● Test the handle's operation to ensure it runs smoothly without any jamming.

How to choose the right fire door handles?

1. Compliance certification

First and foremost, ensure the handle has passed the mandatory certifications relevant to the target market, such as EN 1634-1 and EN 1906 in Europe. This indicates that the fire handle has been certified by an independent third-party testing body and meets safety and compliance requirements.

2. Fire rating match

The fire resistance rating of the handle must match that of the fire door. For instance, if the fire door has an FD30 rating (30 minutes fire resistance), the handles must also meet the FD30 rating. Using a handle with a lower fire resistance rating than the door will compromise the entire fire door system's effectiveness, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

3. Material selection

Choose materials with high-temperature resistance and durability to ensure functionality during a fire.

4. Design selection 

Select handles with ergonomic designs to ensure ease of operation in emergency situations (e.g., easy to press down, comfortable to grip, and with anti-hooking features).

5. Environmental adaptability

Select fire-rated door handles with appropriate certification levels and characteristics based on the specific building environment and traffic volume. For example, in high-traffic areas (e.g., shopping malls, hospitals, and schools), fire handles with higher certification levels should be chosen. In high-humidity environments (e.g., coastal areas), handles made from more corrosion-resistant materials, such as 316 stainless steel, should be selected.

6. Professional advice

When selecting fireproof door handles, it is advisable to consult with professional fire safety experts or certified fire door hardware suppliers. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific project needs, door type, usage environment, etc., and recommend products that meet regulatory and performance requirements.

By considering all of the above factors, you can ensure that the selected fire door handle not only  complies with regulations but also provides the necessary protection in the event of a fire, effectively safeguarding lives and property.

 Conclusion

Using non-compliant fire handles violates regulations and standards, severely compromise the fire performance of fire doors, hinder safe evacuation, increase maintenance costs, damage brand reputation, and can lead to legal liability and financial compensation. Therefore, selecting fire compliant door handles is crucial for ensuring building fire safety.

DIROCK, as a professional fire door hardware manufacturer, is committed to providing you with reliable solutions that meet the highest safety standards.

Explore our range of fire-rated hardware products, visit our product pages, and learn more about our products and services. We firmly believe that with our professional solutions and exceptional user experience, DIROCK will become your trusted partner.

 FAQ

Q1: Do all door handles need to be fire-rated?

No. Only handles installed on fire-rated doors need to be fire-rated to help the door maintain its fire performance. Regular handles can be used on ordinary doors.

Q2: Why do fire-rated door handles need to be fire-rated?

Regulations and standards require it. The handles work together with the fire door and other hardware to form a fire barrier, preventing the spread of flames and smoke and ensuring safe evacuation.

Q3: How can I tell if my handle is fire-rated?

Check the product itself or its packaging for clear certification marks (e.g., EN 1906, EN 1634-1). These marks indicate the handle has passed strict fire performance tests. Request valid third-party test reports from the supplier for verification.

Q4: Can I use a non-fire-rated handle on a fire-rated door?

No. Non-fire-rated handles may melt or deform under high temperatures, compromising the door's integrity and increasing the risk of fire spread. Additionally, a failed handle may prevent the door from opening, hindering escape. Using a non-fire-rated handle also violates relevant building codes and fire standards, leading to legal liability and safety risks.

Q5: What's the difference between a fire-rated handle and a regular handle?

The main differences lie in materials, design standards, and functional guarantees. Fire-rated handles use high-strength, high-temperature resistant materials (e.g., stainless steel), are designed and manufactured according to strict standards, and pass independent third-party fire resistance testing certification to ensure structural integrity and operability during a fire. Regular handles typically use common materials (e.g., zinc alloy, plastic), are designed only for daily use, and lack mandatory fire performance requirements or certification.

Q6: What are the types fire door hardware used on a fire door?

Fire-Rated Locks: Maintains latch/lock bolt stability and reliability at high temperatures, preventing the door from being opened accidentally.

Fire-Rated Handles: Ensures functionality during a fire for quick door opening and evacuation.

Fire-Rated Hinges: Bear the door leaf weight, ensure the door can swing and close fully during a fire, preventing flames/smoke spread through gaps.

Fire-Rated closers: Automatically closes the fire door, ensuring it remains shut when not in use to prevent fire spread.

Fire-Rated intumescent Seals: Installed on the door frame or leaf edge; expands when heated in a fire, effectively sealing gaps to block smoke and flames.

Fire-Rated Coordinators (for double doors): Ensures the two leaves close in the correct sequence, preventing gaps between them.