Do Fire Doors Need To Be Self-Closing?

Fire doors play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of buildings and their occupants. Designed specifically to resist the spread of fire and smoke, these specialised doors act as a barrier, compartmentalising sections of a building and providing a safe escape route during emergencies.

Their presence can mean the difference between localised damage and catastrophic loss, safeguarding lives and property. The significance of fire doors extends beyond compliance with building regulations; they are a display of commitment from building owners and managers to prioritise the safety and well-being of everyone within the premises.

The Basics of Fire Doors

Fire doors are more than just ordinary doors; they are engineered safety barriers meticulously designed to withstand the intense heat and flames of a fire for specified periods.

Their primary purpose is to compartmentalise a building, restricting the rapid spread of fire and smoke from one section to another. This containment ensures that escape routes remain accessible and safe for longer durations, granting occupants crucial extra minutes to evacuate safely.

By limiting the fire's progression, fire doors also play a significant role in reducing property damage and giving emergency services the time they need to respond effectively. The presence of fire doors is a silent yet powerful defense, ready to stand against the devastating force of fire, ensuring that safety is never compromised.

Fire doors are not just a recommendation, but a regulatory requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Within the realm of the RRO, fire doors play a crucial role as they act as a barrier, preventing the spread of fire and smoke, and safeguarding escape routes. 

Their maintenance, regular inspection, and compliance with standards are imperative under this order.

It's important to understand why fire doors are vital, how they work, and how to maintain them, which is why we wrote an introductory guide to fire doors. If you're new to fire safety, or you just need a refresher, take a few minutes to read the guide and understand where you need to act.

Do Fire Doors Need To Be Self-Closing?

In the majority of residential environments, it's a legal requirement for fire doors to possess a self-closing feature. This entails having a door closer mechanism attached to the door's upper part, ensuring it remains shut consistently – a crucial factor during fire emergencies.

The Fire Safety – Approved Document B provides a comprehensive guide for landlords and businesses about maintaining fire safety within their properties. Here are the typical scenarios where a fire door is expected to be self-closing:

• Residential care facilities
• Student housing
• Hotels
• Educational institutions
• Apartment complexes
• Medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics

The exceptions are doors leading to cleaning storage, high-risk areas, plant rooms, and service risers. These doors should remain shut and typically locked unless in direct use. Buildings with individual apartment units necessitate self-closing devices on each apartment's main entrance, segregating it from shared spaces.

However, not all doors necessitate a self-closing mechanism. As per Approved Document B volume 2, a fire door mandates a self-closing device in the following scenarios:

• When it separates exit routes spanning two or more storeys.
• For corridors, every 12 meters.
• If a common corridor culminates in a dead-end exceeding 4.5 meters.
• To shield a staircase enclosure from a circulation area.
• If doors lead to external escape stairs.

For private residences, a self-closing mechanism is mandated solely for doors connected to an attached garage. Both ADB and the Local Government Association's guide on fire safety in purpose-built apartment blocks clarify that other fire doors within a private residence don't mandatorily need self-closing devices, though it's advisable to have them.

Benefits of Self-Closing Fire Doors

Self-closing fire doors are a testament to the advancements in safety engineering, offering a blend of functionality and convenience. Their design and mechanism provide a variety of benefits that enhance the safety and usability of buildings. Here are some of the standout advantages:

1. Automatic Closure and Creation of a Tight Seal: One of the primary benefits of self-closing fire doors is their ability to automatically return to a closed position after being opened. This automatic closure ensures that the door forms a tight seal, effectively compartmentalising sections of a building. In the event of a fire, this seal becomes crucial in preventing the rapid spread of flames and smoke, thereby safeguarding escape routes and minimising property damage.
2. Ease of Use for All: Self-closing fire doors are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Their mechanisms ensure that, despite their robust construction, they can be easily opened by anyone, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. This inclusivity ensures that in emergencies, no one is hindered or at a disadvantage due to the door's design.
3. Versatility in High-Traffic Areas: In areas of a building that experience high footfall, constantly opening and closing a door can be cumbersome. Recognising this, self-closing fire doors come with options that allow them to be held open. However, these are not just any door stops; these mechanisms are integrated with the building's fire safety system. In the event of an emergency, such as the triggering of a fire alarm, the hold-open mechanism disengages, allowing the door to close automatically. This ensures that even in high-traffic areas, safety is never compromised.

Self-closing fire doors offer a harmonious blend of safety and convenience, ensuring that buildings are both user-friendly and equipped to handle emergencies effectively.

How Do Self-Closing Fire Doors Work?

Self-closing doors operate on a simple yet effective principle: they automatically return to their closed position after being opened. This automatic closure is crucial, especially for fire doors, as a door left ajar can compromise the safety of a building during a fire emergency.

The mechanism behind this automatic closure varies, but the primary objective remains consistent: to ensure the door is always shut. Here's a closer look at how they work and the different types available:

1. Overhead Door Closers: These are the most common type of self-closing mechanism. Typically mounted at the top of the door, they utilise a spring mechanism and a hydraulic damper. When the door is opened, the spring is tensioned, and upon release, the spring forces the door to shut. The hydraulic damper controls the speed, ensuring the door closes smoothly and securely.
2. Floor Springs: Installed at the base of the door, these closers are often used for heavy doors or where an overhead closer isn't suitable. They use a similar spring and hydraulic mechanism to control the door's closing speed.
3. Concealed Door Closers: As the name suggests, these are hidden either within the door itself or its frame, offering a more aesthetically pleasing look. They function similarly to overhead door closers but are designed to be more discreet.
4. Electromagnetic Door Closers: These are integrated with a building's fire alarm system. Under normal circumstances, the door can be held open, but when the fire alarm is triggered, the electromagnetic hold is released, allowing the door to close automatically.
5. Cam Action Closers: These provide a more efficient closure, requiring less force to open the door but still ensuring it closes securely. They are especially useful in areas that need to be accessible to individuals with limited strength or mobility.

Each of these mechanisms offers unique advantages, and the choice often depends on the specific requirements of the building and its occupants. Regardless of the type, the primary goal remains the same: to ensure doors close automatically, providing safety and security when it matters most.

Choosing The Right Self-Closing Fire Door

Selecting the appropriate self-closing mechanism for a fire door is not just about ensuring it closes; it's about ensuring it closes correctly, reliably, and in alignment with the specific needs of the building and its occupants. Here's what to keep in mind:

1. Factors to Consider When Selecting a Self-Closing Device:
   • Door Size and Weight: Different mechanisms are designed to handle doors of varying sizes and weights. It's essential to choose a closer that can efficiently and effectively close the door it's attached to.
   • Traffic Volume: Doors in high-traffic areas might benefit from mechanisms that can be temporarily held open but close automatically during emergencies.
   • Integration with Fire Safety Systems: Some advanced self-closing devices can integrate with a building's fire alarm system, ensuring automatic closure when an alarm is triggered.
   • Aesthetics and Visibility: While safety is paramount, in some settings, a concealed door closer might be preferred for aesthetic reasons.
   • Accessibility Requirements: Ensure that the mechanism chosen is compliant with regulations, especially in public buildings or spaces where individuals with disabilities might frequent.
2. Importance of Professional Installation and Assessment:
   • Ensuring Compliance: A professional will be aware of the latest safety standards and regulations, ensuring the chosen mechanism is compliant.
   • Optimal Functionality: Proper installation ensures that the door closer functions as intended, providing reliable self-closing without causing wear and tear on the door or frame.
   • Regular Maintenance and Checks: Professionals can also offer guidance on regular maintenance, ensuring the longevity and consistent performance of the self-closing mechanism.
   • Tailored Recommendations: Every building is unique, and a professional can assess the specific needs of a structure, recommending the best self-closing mechanism based on various factors.

While the choice of a self-closing mechanism is crucial, ensuring its proper installation and regular assessment is equally vital to maintaining the safety and functionality of fire doors.

Is It Illegal To Prop Open a Fire Door?

It is illegal to keep a fire door ajar, as doing so can endanger lives. It's not uncommon for students in dormitories to casually prop open these doors, often overlooking the potential repercussions.

Should a fire break out in the building and a fire door is found to have been deliberately kept open, the individual responsible could face legal consequences. This might lead to substantial fines, and in severe cases, even imprisonment.

Common Fire Door Mistakes

Fire doors are a crucial component of a building's safety infrastructure. However, a lack of awareness or casual attitudes can lead to common mistakes that undermine the very purpose of these doors. From propping them open for convenience to neglecting their maintenance, such oversights can have severe consequences.

1. The Dangers of Propping Open a Fire Door: Many people mistakenly believe that keeping a fire door open for convenience or ventilation is harmless. However, this seemingly innocent act can have dire consequences. Fire doors are meticulously designed to act as barriers, preventing the rapid spread of fire and smoke. When propped open, they lose their ability to perform this critical function, turning potential safe zones into danger zones. In the event of a fire, an open door can act as a conduit, allowing flames and smoke to spread more rapidly, endangering lives and property.
2. The Consequences of Compromising Fire Door Functionality: Beyond just propping them open, any alteration or damage to a fire door can compromise its effectiveness. This includes installing non-compliant hardware, failing to maintain seals, or neglecting regular inspections and maintenance. A compromised fire door might not provide the protection it's designed for, leading to faster fire spread and reduced evacuation time. Building owners and managers can face hefty fines or legal actions if their fire doors are found to be non-compliant or malfunctioning during safety inspections or, worse, in the aftermath of a fire incident.

The Importance of Self-Closing Fire Doors

The significance of self-closing fire doors cannot be overstated. They ensure that in the face of danger, the spread of fire and smoke is effectively contained, safeguarding occupants and building contents. However, their efficacy is contingent upon their proper functioning, which underscores the need for regular checks and diligent maintenance.

Utilising professional fire safety services, such as those provided by Midsummer Fire Protection, is laid out in the RRO, clearly stating that only qualified individuals or companies should carry out fire risk assessments, with an emphasis on these checks being carried out regularly.

If you need advice on your fire safety, get in touch with our BM TRADA-accredited team today.