In the Line of Fire: Hinges for Fire Doors

There can be no more vital place for the correct specification of hinges than a fire door. The considerations that must be made are pivotal for ensuring the safety and compliance of the door and the building, as well as its functionality and aesthetic appeal. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the importance of using the correct hinges for fire doors, and how to choose the right one for you space.

The Importance of Using the Correct Hinges for Fire Doors

Fire doors play a crucial role in the safety infrastructure of any building. They are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, protect exit routes, compartmentalise the building to ensure the safety of occupants and their homes and protect firefighters so that they can do their jobs safely and effectively. The effectiveness of a fire door, however, is significantly influenced by the quality and suitability of its hinges, making the specification process crucial. If the wrong hinges are specified, the fire door could drop and move out of the frame in a fire, allowing flames or smoke to get through and increasing the speed at which the fire spreads.

Compliance with British Standards and Building Regulations

In the UK, BS EN 1935 is the designated standard for single-axis hinges (including those intended for use on fire doors), and adherence to this standard is therefore paramount for hinges within its scope. For a single-axis hinge to be suitable for use on fire doors, it must carry a conformity mark, such as CE or UKCA, demonstrating compliance with the relevant legislation. These marks confirm that the hinge has been tested for performance characteristics, including durability and load capacity, and its suitability for use on fire doors, verified by testing for integrity over specified time periods (for example, 30 minutes for FD30-rated doors).

Material and Durability

The material from which a hinge is manufactured plays a crucial role in its performance and longevity. Stainless steel is most commonly used for fire door hinges, known for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The choice of material should reflect the door’s environment; for example, stainless steel hinges are preferred in areas with high moisture levels due to their rust-resistant properties.

Durability is also a key factor, with hinges required to undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can handle the weight of the fire door and the frequency of use. This is especially important in high-traffic areas where the wear and tear on hinges can be significant.

Load Bearing Capacity

The weight of fire doors is often greater than that of standard doors due to their construction, and this necessitates careful consideration of the hinge’s load-bearing capacity. Specifying hinges that are not capable of supporting the door’s weight can lead to premature failure, compromising the door’s integrity and functionality so many specifiers prefer to ‘over specify’ hinges for fire doors, selecting hinges that exceed the minimum weight requirements to ensure longevity and reliability.

We’ve put together a handy guide to hinge load capacity that will ensure the hinges are up to the job, even in a fire situation.

Positioning of Hinges

It’s important to ensure that the hinges are fitted in the correct positions on the door. When doors are fire tested, the position of the hinges is carefully noted, and the fire test assessment will only cover a certain range of hinge positions based on those test positions. So, it’s important to check the fire test data for the door before installing any hinges.
You must use 3 hinges for all standard-sized fire doors. Where a door is particularly tall – over 2100mm – a fourth hinge should be fitted. Again, the fire test data should guide you on this.

Intumescents

Whether a hinge on a fire door must be fitted with an intumescent pad – a specially cut patch of material that sits between the hinge and the frame which will expand in the event of a fire, fill the air gaps created when the door or frame is cut to fit the ironmongery – is perhaps the most thorny one. These pads are made of two main types of material: graphite (dark grey or black) and monoammonium phosphate or MAP, which is often white and often referred to as interdens. They can provide up to 120 minutes of fire resistance subject to successful testing.

The most important thing is to check the fire door test evidence and be guided by it. If the door has been tested with ironmongery protection, then you must use protection. For total peace of mind, some of our most popular ranges for fire doors are supplied with pre-cut intumescent pads.

Aesthetics

While functionality and compliance are paramount, aesthetics should not be overlooked. Hinges are visible components of fire doors, and their appearance can impact the overall look of the door and the space it occupies.

We offer compliant hinges in various finishes and styles, allowing architects and specifiers to select options that best fit the design aesthetic of the building and match the rest of the hardware on the door.

Maintenance and Inspection

Regular maintenance and inspection are vital to ensuring the continued performance of fire doors and their hinges. In fact, in the UK in 2023, this is now mandated under the Building Safety Act 2022. Specifiers should consider the ease of maintenance when selecting hinges, opting for designs that allow for easy inspection and adjustment.

Discover Fire Door Hinges from Cooke Brothers

As you can see, the specification of hinges for fire doors is a critical task that requires careful consideration of various factors. Compliance with regulations, material and durability, load-bearing capacity, aesthetics, and maintenance are all pivotal in ensuring that the chosen hinges enhance the safety, functionality, and appearance of fire doors.

We have successfully tested products within our Phoenix range for fire performance and obtained additional Certifire certification, with supporting documentation available to assist with fire safety information handover. If you are in doubt about the right hinges for your fire door, get in touch. Our qualified technicians will be happy to guide you.