The Cost of Installing a Fire Door

Introduction to the Costs of Installing a Fire Door

Installing a fire door is a simple act that can save precious lives, belongings and homes - providing it is properly installed. If you are thinking about hanging a fire door, read this useful guide to learn about what you can expect if you decide to fit a fire door.

What is involved in installing a fire door?

With all of the tools that we have at our disposal to reduce the dangerous results of a fire, the installation of any fire door is a serious matter. A legal requirement in most commercial or accommodation premises and some larger homes – hanging a fire door is a job that must be done in order to stop fires spreading and keep multiple people and buildings safe. Not only you and yours, but the people and buildings that surround too.

What should you expect if you are planning to install a fire door? Fire doors are specially created to prevent fires spreading, so they must be fitted carefully and precisely to ensure that they perform at the optimum level in the event of a fire. Make sure that your fire door is certified and any ironmongery is compatible. You should receive documentation along with your fire door that includes fitting instructions.

How are fire doors fitted?

The fitting of your fire door will involve the attachment of the door frame and door, which must be checked to ensure that the levels and clearance meet the exacting requirements for the door and that the fire door fits within the frame properly. Next the door header will be secured and the gaps around the frame tightly packed with insulating material on every side. Finally the trims will be attached. Once hanging, a fire door safety check need to be carried out, to check that the door closes firmly onto the latch from any angle, all hinges are fitted robustly, there are no bits missing from the door etc.

This is more than the replacement of a standard door. This is distinctly a health and safety measure that could mean life or death, where your fire door will need to pass a fire door safety check. Therefore, you must ensure that the door is installed by an experienced tradesman that has done this many times before and has the documentation to prove it. Please see the FAQs below for further information.

What additional costs can arise from a fire door?

During the fitting of your fire door, it is useful to be aware where additional costs could arise from; further work to the door frame to ensure that your fire door fits properly, any new door frames that may be required, additional tradespeople if necessary to enable the transportation of heavier, wooden fire doors or to physically lift and hang the fire door or the clean-up costs to remove the mess created during the installation. Clearly any additional work and changes will cause your final cost of fitting a fire door to rise, so it is useful to include these possible extras as considerations in your budgets and plans.

70%

Materials
£140

25%

Tradesmen
£50

5%

Waste Removal
£10

FAQ's

Is a fire door a legal requirement?

There is a greater likelihood your property will require fire doors fitted, legally, If your property is:
• A commercial building
• Accommodation premises, such as flats
• A larger home
There is also a legal requirement that the tradesman hired is fully trained to do the job. They must have the sufficient level of training, skills, experience and knowledge to fit a fire door safely. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the tradesman is competent, to the best of their ability. For more information visit: Fire Safety and Guidance Documents for Business

Do fire doors need smoke seals?

An installed fire-resistant door set should be fitted with intumescent fire door seals. These seals will expand and seal the space between the door and frame, with around 10 minutes of a fire, as soon as the temperature in the area that surrounds reaches 200°C. Additionally fire doors may also require ‘cold smoke’ seals to halt the progress of smoke around the edges of FD fire doors. However, in some cases smoke leakage is necessary for early detection of a fire, so seek further clarification from the below link: Fire Safety and Guidance Documents for Business

Should my home have fire doors?

If your home fits any of the following criteria then yes you should have fire doors. According to building regulations any of the following builds should have fire doors:
• Two storey homes where there is a door leading from an internal garage into the home
• New builds and renovated homes with three storeys or more, including loft conversions, are required to have fire doors to all habitable rooms off the stairwell.
For full details visit the below link: Fire Safety and Guidance Documents for Business

Can fire doors be cut?

Each category of fire door has a specific amount that may be removed from the sides and bottom of the door. Any adjustment must be verified by the manufacturer. You cannot trim anything off the top of a fire door.