A fire-resistant door with the right certificate is a good start, but does not by itself guarantee a fire-safe result. The way it is installed largely determines whether the door actually delivers its tested performance in practice.

In this article you will read exactly what a certificate for a fire door covers, which installation mistakes we most often encounter in existing buildings, and how to keep a fire door in order after installation.

What a fire door certificate covers

A fire-resistant door is not tested as a loose door leaf, but as a complete door set: door leaf, frame, hinges, lock, door closer and any glazing. The classification and certificate describe which combination was tested and which variants are permitted within it: in which type of wall, with which maximum dimensions and with which connection to the wall.

If the situation deviates from that, the door falls outside the field of application. Think of a different lock, an extra glazed opening or a frame mounted in a different type of wall. The label on the door and frame shows which certificate applies.

Fire-resistant and smoke-resistant: what does the label say?

A door's classification shows what it can do. EI 30 or EI 60 gives the fire resistance in minutes. Sa or S200 is a classification of the door's smoke leakage, and the letter C means that it is self-closing. Fire resistance and smoke leakage are tested separately: fire resistance according to NEN-EN 1634-1, smoke leakage according to NEN-EN 1634-3. A door in an escape route often needs to be not only fire-resistant but also smoke-resistant; which requirement applies is determined per situation.

Common installation errors

  • Incorrect or missing fire-resistant seal between the frame and the masonry
  • A self-closing mechanism that is not correctly adjusted or has been disabled
  • Combination of a certified door with a non-matching or non-certified frame
  • Permanently fixing doors open, for example with a wedge
  • Ordinary PU foam or non-fire-rated sealant in the joint between frame and wall
  • Gaps that are too large between door leaf and frame or under the door, allowing smoke and hot gases to pass
  • Locks, handles or glazed openings added afterwards that are not covered by the certificate

What a correct installation involves

  • A frame and door that together fall within the classification's field of application
  • Correctly adjusted hinges, closing mechanisms, and any door closers
  • Fire-resistant seal around the frame, connecting to the wall
  • Where required: smoke-resistant weather strips to limit smoke leakage
  • Installation according to the installation instructions in the certificate, including the number and type of fixings
  • A label on the door and frame, and registration of the door in the logbook

Doors that need to be able to stand open

A fire-resistant door wedged open protects nothing. If a door needs to stay open in daily use, for example in a busy corridor or a care facility, there are good solutions: a free-swing door closer or a hold-open magnet that releases the door as soon as the fire alarm system or a smoke detector at the door raises the alarm. That way the door stands open in practice and still closes by itself in a fire.

Maintenance: a fire door wears

A fire door is used every day and therefore wears faster than the wall around it. Hinges sag, closers lose strength and strips get damaged. So have fire doors checked periodically, with the manufacturer's instructions and the use as the starting point; in practice often annually:

  • Does the door close fully from every opening position and latch into the lock?
  • Do the gaps around and under the door stay within the permitted size?
  • Are the smoke seals and intumescent strips complete and undamaged?
  • Have any changes been made since the previous check, such as a new lock or an extra opening?

Repair is often possible without replacing the whole door: adjusting, replacing strips or fitting a suitable closer. Replacement is needed if the door leaf or frame is so damaged that repair within the field of application is not possible. A missing label does not in itself prove that the door must go: documentation and a suitable assessment can often remove the uncertainty.

If there is any doubt about an existing door, we assess both the product and the installation during an inspection — repair is often possible without full replacement.

Our fitters only install door and frame combinations within the classification's field of application and carefully adjust every closing mechanism before a project is handed over.

Frequently asked questions

By the label or certificate plate, usually in the rebate on the hinge side of the door and frame. It shows the manufacturer, the certificate and the fire resistance. If the label is missing, further investigation is needed to assess the door.

Only if that lock or closer falls within the door's certificate. An untested replacement can compromise the fire resistance or the self-closing function. If in doubt, ask the door supplier or a certified company.

A fire-resistant door holds back fire and heat for a certain time, for example 30 or 60 minutes. A smoke-resistant door limits the passage of smoke. Many doors in escape routes must be both; you can see this in the classification by EI and Sa or S200.

There is no fixed statutory period, but the door must always work properly. Take the manufacturer's instructions and the use as the starting point: an annual check of self-closing, gaps and strips is common, and more often for doors that are used intensively.

Want to know more about fire-resistant doors?

Fire doors made to measure, adjusted or refurbished: up to 60 minutes fire resistance, smoke-resistant where required, self-closing and certified.

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