Frequently asked questions.

The number in a fire-door rating shows how long the complete tested doorset is designed to resist fire:

• FD30: 30 minutes of fire resistance. The door leaf is often around 44mm thick and is commonly specified in flats, loft conversions and smaller offices.
• FD60: 60 minutes of fire resistance. The door leaf is often around 54mm thick and is commonly specified in schools, hospitals, hotels and larger commercial buildings.
• FD90 and FD120: 90 or 120 minutes of fire resistance. These are specialist doorsets, often 64mm thick or more, used where the building’s fire strategy requires a higher level of protection, including some industrial facilities, basements and higher-risk areas.
• FD240: Up to 240 minutes—four hours—of fire resistance. This is a highly specialist rating for extreme industrial or infrastructure applications.

Thickness is only a general guide and does not prove a fire rating. Performance depends on the complete tested doorset or door assembly—including the leaf, frame, seals, glazing and hardware. The correct rating must follow the building’s fire strategy and the manufacturer’s test or classification evidence.

As a general guide, the gap between the door leaf and frame at the top and sides is normally 2–4mm. The gap beneath the door must follow the manufacturer’s test evidence: it is commonly no more than 10mm for fire resistance, and around 3mm where smoke control is required, unless a suitable tested threshold seal is fitted.

These measurements are general guidance. The correct installation tolerances must follow the manufacturer’s test, classification and installation evidence for the complete doorset.

FSC can supply and install a range of tested and certified fire doorsets to suit the building, required fire rating and intended location:

• Timber fire doors: Usually constructed with a solid timber or engineered core and finished with oak veneer, laminate or a paint-grade facing. These are the most common choice for homes, offices, care settings, schools and many commercial buildings.
• Steel fire doors: Robust metal doorsets designed for demanding or high-traffic areas such as warehouses, plant rooms, service areas, industrial buildings and some commercial kitchens.
• Glazed fire doors: Use specialist fire-resistant glazing within a compatible tested frame and doorset. They allow natural light and visibility while providing the required fire resistance, making them suitable for corridors, entrances and modern commercial interiors.
• Composite and specialist fire doors: Combine fire-resistant core materials with durable external facings. Depending on the tested system, they can provide enhanced weather resistance, security or a particular appearance for internal or external locations.

The correct doorset must be selected from the building’s fire strategy and specification. FSC will consider the required fire and smoke rating, location, access needs, security, durability and the manufacturer’s test or classification evidence before recommending a suitable solution.

Fire-safety duties focus on suitable installation and maintenance by competent people. A third-party installation scheme can provide additional independent assurance and traceability, but the need for a specific scheme depends on the project requirements. FSC is not currently registered with BM TRADA or itself a BM TRADA certificate holder. Our Head of Operations has held a BM TRADA certificate for the last nine years, and FSC is actively working towards achieving its own BM TRADA certification. If a project requires certification, we will confirm the applicable certificate holder and scheme scope with the client in advance.

Get in touch today and let’s discuss your requirements.

Times vary with the existing opening, door specification, access, condition of the surrounding construction and whether remedial work is needed. We review the scope and arrange work around the building’s operating needs before giving a programme.

Yes. We plan access with site teams and work with consideration for residents, patients and staff. Where required, DBS-checked personnel can work in sensitive settings. We can discuss cleanable door finishes within the tested specification and record the condition of each door.

A door-by-door register, photographs, identified defects and prioritised actions can help a care provider show how it identifies and manages fire-door risks. CQC assesses the provider’s wider safe environment and governance; an FSC report is supporting evidence, not a CQC approval or a guarantee of compliance.

The agreed report scope can include an asset register, door locations and condition, photographs of defects, observations and prioritised recommended actions. We can discuss a digital format suited to your facilities team and follow-up works.

The schedule depends on building use, risk assessment and any applicable specific duty. In England, for multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 specify checks of communal fire doors at least every three months and best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months. Other settings need a proportionate inspection and maintenance plan. FSC can discuss planned re-inspections, including six-month programmes where appropriate.

Yes. A planned six-month visit can check for new damage, deterioration, changes in operation and whether previously identified actions have been resolved. The interval should fit the site’s risk assessment and any specific legal or contractual requirements. FSC can arrange quarterly, six-monthly or annual fire-door re-inspections.

Sometimes. It depends on the door’s condition, the defect, and whether the proposed repair is supported by appropriate evidence and the manufacturer’s instructions. Where the door cannot be brought back to a suitable condition, replacement may be necessary. We can inspect and discuss practical options.

Inspection records the condition and identifies issues. Maintenance addresses serviceable components and keeps a suitable door operating as intended. Installation is the fitting of a new or replacement door assembly to an appropriate specification. FSC can coordinate these stages and a later re-inspection.

FSC supports a range of managed buildings, including education, commercial and residential settings. Tell us the building type, location, number of doors and any site requirements so we can discuss the scope and access arrangements.

Often yes, with appropriate planning. We agree access, working areas, timings and communication with the site team, especially in care, healthcare and other sensitive environments. Any temporary fire-safety arrangements need to be agreed with the responsible person.

Keep the inspection record, details of the work completed and any relevant installation or product documentation together. A planned follow-up check helps confirm the door remains in good condition and that outstanding items have been addressed.

Yes. Where a certified fire doorset is specified, FSC installs it in accordance with the relevant manufacturer’s instructions, tested specification and current requirements. We provide supporting installation records, including photographic evidence and details of the materials used, where included within the agreed project scope.

Yes. Unless agreed otherwise, FSC removes and responsibly disposes of the old door leaf, frame and associated installation materials as part of the replacement work.

Replacing a doorset involves removing the existing frame and working into the surrounding wall, so some noise, dust and minor disturbance to nearby finishes should be expected. FSC protects the working area and keeps disruption to a minimum, but cosmetic redecoration is normally outside our scope unless specifically agreed.

Routine checks should look for visible damage or alterations, suitable gaps around the leaf, correctly fitted seals and hinges, secure glazing or ventilation grilles, and effective operation of the closer, latch and other hardware. The door should close fully into the frame without obstruction. Any defect should be recorded and addressed promptly by a competent person.

Certification provides independent evidence that a doorset or component has been tested and assessed for a stated level of performance. It helps clients select compatible products, maintain traceability and demonstrate that the specified system is appropriate for the building.

Manufacturers and certification bodies provide evidence for the tested product or system, while competent installers must follow the applicable specification and installation instructions. The Responsible Person retains overall responsibility for fire safety in the premises, including ensuring that fire doors are suitable, maintained and kept in efficient working order.

Look for labels, plugs, markings or other traceability information on the door leaf, frame or associated documentation. The evidence should identify the manufacturer, rating and certification or test reference where applicable. A label alone does not confirm that the complete assembly has been installed correctly, so the full doorset and supporting records should be considered.

Where a flat entrance door forms part of the building’s fire precautions, its condition and performance should be considered within the building’s fire-safety arrangements. The exact duties and inspection frequency depend on the building, height, occupancy and applicable legislation.

Fire-safety law requires relevant fire precautions, including fire doors, to be maintained in an efficient state and effective working order. The Responsible Person must have suitable arrangements for checking and maintaining them. Some residential buildings in England are also subject to specific minimum fire-door checking frequencies.

The Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is responsible for ensuring suitable fire-safety arrangements in non-domestic premises and relevant common parts. Depending on the building, duties may also apply to an Accountable Person or other duty holder. Inspections should be completed by someone with suitable competence for the scope involved.

Fire doors can be damaged, altered, wedged open or affected by everyday use. Regular checks help identify defects early, protect the intended fire and smoke separation, support planned maintenance and provide an audit trail showing that identified risks are being managed.

No. Certification supports product and installer assurance, but compliance also depends on correct specification, installation, compatible components, suitable records, regular inspection and ongoing maintenance. The complete doorset must remain appropriate for the building and continue to operate effectively.

Yes. FSC’s Privacy Policy explains what personal information we may collect when you contact us, how we use and protect it, when it may be shared, how long it is kept and the rights you may have. You can read the full policy using the Privacy Policy link in the website footer. For privacy questions, email info@fscfiredoors.co.uk.

Yes. FSC welcomes enquiries for individual buildings, phased programmes and wider estates. We can discuss surveys, agreed work packages, access planning, progress reporting and staged delivery around occupied premises.

The agreed handover information can include installation or remedial-work records, door schedules, product and material details, photographic evidence and relevant certification documents. The exact document package is confirmed for each project.

Yes. Where included within the agreed scope, FSC provides clear photographic records to support installation, remedial-work and compliance documentation.

Yes. We can review the relevant door schedules, inspection findings and fire-risk-assessment actions supplied by the client, agree priorities with the estates or facilities team and plan the work around site operations. Building-specific fire-safety decisions remain with the appropriate duty holders and fire-safety advisers.

Yes. FSC can provide project-appropriate risk assessments and method statements, insurance information, personnel competency evidence and other reasonable pre-construction or contractor documentation required for the agreed work.

Yes. FSC’s Terms of Business apply to quotations, orders and contracts for fire-door inspection, supply, installation, repair, remedial works and maintenance, unless a separate signed written contract says otherwise. They explain the agreed scope and quotation, responsibilities, variations, site access, payment, completion and relevant cancellation and consumer protections. Each accepted quotation confirms the project-specific work and price. You can download the full Terms of Business PDF using the link in the website footer. For questions, email info@fscfiredoors.co.uk.

A steel hinged door is manufactured from steel and opens inwards or outwards on hinges fixed to a frame. Available as a single or double doorset, it provides a strong and durable solution for commercial, industrial and specialist buildings.

Steel doorsets offer excellent strength, security, durability and low maintenance. They are suitable for high-traffic locations and can be specified for fire resistance, weather exposure, insulation and access control.

Yes. Certified fire-rated steel doorsets are available with different resistance periods, subject to the tested system and project specification. The required rating must follow the building’s fire strategy and supporting test or classification evidence.

Yes. Options can include custom sizes, single or double leaves, vision panels, louvres, specialist colours and finishes, enhanced security, panic hardware, access control, and acoustic or thermal insulation.

Yes. Their robust construction can be combined with reinforced frames, security locks, multi-point locking and electronic access control for security-sensitive locations.

Yes. External steel doors can include galvanised construction, weather seals and corrosion-resistant finishes for reliable performance in exposed conditions.

Hinges, fixings, seals, locks, closing devices and surface finishes should be checked regularly, with defects repaired promptly. Fire doors must be inspected at intervals appropriate to the building, usage, risk assessment and applicable requirements.

Yes. Steel doors can be integrated with keypad entry, proximity-card readers, intercoms, electric locks or strikes, and biometric systems, subject to the doorset specification and the building’s access, security and fire-safety requirements.

With professional installation and appropriate maintenance, a steel hinged door can provide decades of dependable service. Its lifespan depends on usage, location and environmental exposure.