Fire doors are designed to work hard. They’re opened and closed dozens of times a day. They’re knocked, scuffed and subjected to general wear and tear.
But while fire doors are strong and have a long service life, they don’t last forever. And a fire door that’s past its best is a safety and compliance risk.
Wondering whether your fire doors will perform in the event of a fire? Take a look at the nine signs it’s time for a replacement fire door.
Signs it’s time for a replacement fire door
1. The door leaf is damaged
A fire door relies on the integrity of its core materials to resist fire for its rated period. Damage, like cracks, splits, gouges or holes in the door leaf, can compromise that integrity.
Minor surface marks are usually fine. But if the damage goes deep into the door leaf, or if the door has been struck hard enough to affect its structure, a fire door replacement is the safest option.
2. The door closer doesn’t work properly
A fire door only works properly when it’s closed. That’s why all fire-rated doors come with a self-closing device.
A closer that’s slow, stiff, or that doesn’t pull the door fully shut is a hazard. Your fire door should close and latch fully, without being pushed. If it doesn’t, the closer needs immediate attention.
In many cases, the closer can be replaced without replacing the whole door. But if the closer has been failing for a long time and the door has been left unlatched repeatedly, it’s worth getting the whole doorset assessed.
3. There are gaps between the door and its frame
UK fire safety standards specify a maximum gap between a fire door and its frame — typically 3 to 4mm at the sides and top, and no more than 8mm at the bottom.
Gaps larger than this allow fire and smoke to pass through before the intumescent seals have a chance to activate.
Gaps can develop over time as buildings settle, doors warp, or frames shift. So check your fire doors regularly. It may be that an adjustment can achieve the gap tolerances required. But, if not, a fire door replacement is the best solution.
4. The seals are worn or damaged
Intumescent seals are another critical fire door component. They expand under heat to block flames and smoke.
Seals should be continuous and firmly fixed in place. There should be no cracks, gaps or signs of deterioration. Smoke seals that have been painted over and any seals that have been partially removed should be replaced.
When replacing intumescent strips, you need to replace the whole of the affected seal. Partial repairs aren’t good enough. And if this is just one of many fire door issues you’re facing, a replacement could be the more cost-effective option.
5. The door and frame don’t align properly
A fire door that drags or catches on its frame is a sign of misalignment. This can happen due to natural shifts in a building’s structure or in the case of fire door damage.
Misalignment isn’t just an inconvenience for people using the door. A door that doesn’t close neatly won’t seal properly in a fire.
Minor adjustments to hinges can sometimes fix the problem. But if the frame itself has moved or the door has warped significantly, replacement is usually the right call.
6. There’s no certification label
Every certified fire door should have a label or plug on the top edge of the door leaf. This fire door label confirms the fire rating, the certifying organisation and the standard the door was tested to.
If there’s no label, you have no way to verify that the door is actually certified to the rating you need. This is a common issue in older buildings, where doors may have been installed according to outdated fire safety standards.
These notional or nominal fire doors may offer some degree of fire protection. But, without a label, you can’t be 100% sure. Where practical, replacement with a certified door is the best course of action.
7. The glazing is cracked or damaged
If your fire door has a glass panel, this is as much a part of the fire rating as the door leaf itself.
Cracked or damaged fire door glass should always be replaced like-for-like — with glazing that meets the same fire rating as the door.
8. Hardware has been replaced — and you’re unsure of its fire rating
Fire doors only hold back fire for the specified period when every component meets the same fire rating. That means all fire door hardware — hinges, handles, locks, closers and letterboxes — working together.
If door hardware has been replaced and you’re unsure that it meets the same FD rating as the door, you need to replace the hardware.
9. Repairs are becoming expensive
Fire doors require maintenance. But there comes a point when the cost of repeated repairs outweighs the cost of replacement.
A new certified fire door — properly installed — should perform reliably for many years with only routine maintenance. Repeated repairs on an ageing door are a sign that the door is nearing the end of its useful life.
Fire door replacement services from FDS
If you spot any of these signs in your fire doors, it’s worth getting them assessed by a professional.
At Fire Door Systems, we carry out fire door inspections for residential, commercial and industrial buildings across the UK.
We’ll assess your existing doors, identify what needs replacing and what can be repaired, and give you straightforward advice on the best course of action.
Where a fire door replacement is needed, we supply, manufacture and install certified fire doors, in line with up-to-date UK fire safety regulations.
Want to know for sure that your fire doors are up to scratch? Book a fire door survey or arrange a fire door replacement by contacting the FDS team.
FAQs
How much does a fire door replacement cost?
Fire door replacement costs vary depending on the door type, size, materials and the complexity of installation.
At FDS, replacement fire doors start from £1,500 for a complete certified doorset. This includes a fire-rated frame, door leaf, all hardware and professional installation.
How long should a fire door last?
A well-made fire door that is correctly installed and properly maintained can last for many years, even decades. Regular inspection will tell you whether a door is still fit for purpose or whether a replacement fire door is needed.
How often should you inspect fire doors?
Whatever type of fire doors you have in your building, they should be inspected regularly by a responsible person.
The responsible person should carry out visual checks, looking for damage, checking seals and ensuring closers are working correctly.
You should also book a professional inspection at least once every six months. A fire door expert can tell you whether you need to replace particular fire door components before they compromise fire safety in your building.
Can I install a replacement fire door in a standard frame?
No. A fire door must be installed in a fire-rated frame that forms part of the certified doorset. Fitting a certified fire door into a standard timber frame won’t achieve the door’s fire rating. If your existing frame is not fire-rated, it will need to be replaced at the same time as the door.
Who can install replacement fire doors?
Only trained and certified fire door installers. Even minor errors can prevent a fire door from performing correctly. Errors include gaps that are too wide, hinges that don’t support the door properly and incorrectly fitted seals.
Can you get a fire door glass replacement without changing the whole door?
Sometimes. If the door itself is in good condition and the glazing is the only issue, it may be possible to replace the glass panel without replacing the whole door.
However, the replacement glazing must be fire-rated to the same standard as the original. Regular, non-fire-rated glass doesn’t offer certified fire protection.
