A fire door is not just the door leaf. It is a complete assembly comprising the frame, any glazing, intumescent fire and smoke seals and all the ironmongery that is used on the door, such as hinges, overhead door closers, latches and locks.
‘Essential’ Hardware or Ironmongery are those items that are indispensable to the correct performance of the door assembly. (Such as hinges, closers, locks and latches)
Every fire door can only be tested and certificated with all its components in place. They should be third-party certificated to ensure correct performance.
‘Non- essential’ hardware or ironmongery (such as viewers, letterplates) may also be fitted – but they must be correctly installed, in accordance with the door manufacturer’s instructions.
In the event of a fire, a fire door will not work unless all the correct components have been fitted correctly and maintained.
The components must be compatible with the particular fire door assembly with which it has been tested – shown on the fire door manufacturer’s installation instructions.