Are You Specifying The Correct Door Closers For Metal Fire Doors?

Did you know that not all door closers are suitable for non-insulated fire doors?

Specifying a door closer for a metal fire door used to be fairly straightforward; a specifier will look for documentation to see if a door closer is certified and how long it is rated for. However, a recent revision to certification to help improve safety means that this process has become more detailed – and it could catch specifiers out if they are not aware.

While many door closers are stated as being approved for metal fire doors, in a number of cases this only applies to insulated metal fire doors. As around 8 out of 10 metal fire doors sold in the UK are the non-insulated type, many are using unsuitable door closers.

Non-insulated metal fire doors provide certified fire resistance for integrity only, protecting against the passage of fire and smoke. As the name implies, fire doors not certified for insulation do not prevent passage of heat. If a door closer filled with a mineral or semi-synthetic mixed oil is installed, it may ignite when it reaches a flashpoint.

While UNION door closers are filled with an inert glycol oil and are therefore safe to use on both types of metal fire doors where certified for use, other brands of door closers use a flammable oil and thus their correct use should be carefully checked.

Certifire, the testing organisation, has recently revised their certification to more accurately state the type of metal fire door a door closer is approved for use. But this change remains largely unknown so UNION is urgently calling on installers and property owners to check any door closers fitted to non-insulated metal fire doors.

David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at UNION, explains: “This is a hugely serious issue that all specifiers and installers need to be aware of. Many door closers could have been incorrectly specified for non-insulated metals fire doors, which could pose a real danger to lives in the event of a fire.

“Certifire have taken a proactive stance on this matter and updated their certification documents to give a specifier more detailed information. Anyone worried that they may have a door closer that is not safe can also call us for advice on 0845 2232124.”

For more information, please click here- https://www.uniononline.co.uk/en/site/union-online/news/20171/news/door-closer-certification-is-your-metal-fire-door-safe/