Fire Doors and Fire Exit Doors

Fire Door Standards and Legislative Requirements Contrary to what some might believe, there is a difference between fire doors and fire exit doors . Fire doors are inside buildings (residential and commercial) and are internal doors that need to be kept closed in order to stop the spread of fire between different areas of a building. In multiple occupancy buildings they are required to be fitted on the entrance to each individual dwelling, often leading into a communal hallway. Fire exit doors are the final door on an emergency exit route that must lead to a place of safety. There is an Approved Document guidance available from the Builders’ Hardware Industry Federation (BHIF) ‘Hardware for fire and escape doors. Issue 4 2012’ detailing the requirements for any fixtures and fittings used with fire doors and fire exit doors. As this is an ‘approved’ guidance, it sets out the minimum standards that would be considered compliant. This document give...