Fire doors in Newcastle, installed properly
A fire door only protects you if it is fitted correctly. We supply certified FD30 and FD60 doors and fit them with the right gaps, seals, hinges and closers for homes, flats and HMOs.
- FD30 & FD60 ratings
- Loft conversions
- Landlord & HMO work
Fire doors in Newcastle: what they do
A fire door holds back fire and smoke for a set time, giving people longer to get out and keeping the escape route clear. The leaf, frame, seals, hinges, latch and even the gaps around the edge are tested together, and the door only performs as rated when every part is right.
We supply and fit fire doors in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and across the North East for homeowners, landlords and businesses. Doors and components come certified by the manufacturer, and we fit them to the manufacturer’s instructions and test evidence.
FD30 and FD60: what the ratings mean
The number after “FD” is the time in minutes the door assembly has resisted fire in testing. An “S” on the end means it also has smoke seals to slow the spread of cold smoke, which is often the bigger danger in the early stages of a fire.
| Rating | Fire resistance | Typical thickness | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| FD30 / FD30S | 30 minutes | 44 mm | Loft conversions, flats, HMOs, integral garages |
| FD60 / FD60S | 60 minutes | Usually 54 mm | Some commercial buildings and higher-risk locations, where specified |
Most homes need FD30 doors. FD60 doors are usually only called for when a fire risk assessment, building control or an architect specifies them.
When do you need fire doors at home?
Most two-storey houses don’t need internal fire doors. The rules in England, set out in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, usually come into play when you add a floor, create a flat or join a garage to the house.
Loft conversions
When a loft conversion creates a third storey, the stairway normally has to become a protected escape route down to the front door. That usually means the doors from habitable rooms onto the stairs must be fire doors. The minimum is often FD20, but most people fit FD30 because they are far easier to source. Some designs use other approaches instead, so follow what your approved plans say.
Integral garages
The door between a house and an integral garage normally needs to be a fire door with smoke seals, typically FD30S. Building control may also ask for it to be self-closing.
Flats
A flat’s front door onto a shared corridor or stairway is usually expected to be an FD30S door with a self-closer. Inside some flats, particularly on upper floors, the doors onto the internal hallway may need to be fire doors too.
Every building is different. Always check what your property needs with building control, or with whoever has approved your plans, before ordering doors. Our guide to fire door regulations for homes explains the rules in more detail.
Fire doors for landlords, HMOs and flats
Landlords have legal duties for fire safety, and fire doors are a big part of them. In houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), councils normally expect FD30S doors with self-closers on bedrooms, kitchens and other rooms opening onto the escape route. Exact standards vary by council and by the layout of the property.
In blocks of flats, the person responsible for the building must keep communal fire doors in good working order. In buildings over 11 metres tall, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 also require regular checks of communal fire doors and flat entrance doors. We can replace failed doors, upgrade seals and closers, and plan work around tenants. See our landlord and commercial service for more.
What makes a fire door work?
Every part below must be compatible with the door’s certification.
- Intumescent strips: set into the edge of the door or frame, they swell in heat and seal the gap.
- Smoke seals: brush or fin seals, often combined with the strip, that stop cold smoke getting through.
- Hinges: at least three fire-rated steel hinges, marked to BS EN 1935, so the door stays in place as it heats up.
- Latches and locks: fire-tested hardware, usually fitted with intumescent pads behind it.
- Self-closers: overhead or concealed closers where the location requires the door to shut by itself.
- Glazing: fire-resisting glass and beads, if the door has a vision panel.
Swapping one of these for a standard part, such as a cheap hinge or ordinary handle, can mean the door no longer matches its test evidence. Our handles and hardware page covers fire-rated options.
Gaps, certification and why fitting matters
The gap between the door and the frame is critical. It is usually around 3 mm at the sides and top, within the tolerance set by the manufacturer, and the gap at the bottom must also stay within their limit. Too wide and smoke and flame get through; too tight and the door may stick and not close.
Fire doors can only be trimmed by a small amount, so careful measuring matters. Certified doors carry a label or coloured plug, usually on the top or hinge edge, which should never be painted over or removed. Cutting in a letterbox, cat flap or extra glass will normally invalidate the certification. Where a frame is unsuitable, a matching fire-rated frame or a complete doorset is usually the safer route.
How to check and maintain a fire door
A quick look every few months will catch most problems. Check that:
- the certification label or plug is still in place;
- the gaps around the door are even, at roughly 3 mm;
- strips and seals are intact and not painted over;
- hinges are secure, with no missing screws;
- the door closes fully onto the latch from any angle, if it has a closer;
- the door is never wedged or propped open.
If anything fails, have it put right promptly.
Fire door questions we’re often asked
What does the S in FD30S mean?
The S means the door has a smoke seal as well as an intumescent strip, so it also restricts the spread of cold smoke before the fire reaches it.
Can I fit a fire door into my existing frame?
Sometimes, if the frame is suitable and the door’s certification allows it. Often a matching fire-rated frame or a complete doorset is the safer route. We check this when we survey.
Can I paint a fire door or change its handles?
You can paint a fire door with ordinary paint, but keep paint off the intumescent strips, smoke seals and certification label. Any new handles, hinges or locks must be fire-rated and compatible with the door’s certification.
How long does it take to fit fire doors for a loft conversion?
The doors for a typical loft conversion can usually be fitted in a day once they are delivered. Larger HMO or block jobs are planned in stages to suit tenants and access.
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Learn moreGet a quote for fire doors
Tell us where the doors are going and what rating you need, and we’ll come back with a clear, itemised quote. No pressure and no obligation.