Fire doors are a crucial element of a building’s passive fire protection system, particularly in the UK where stringent fire safety standards are enforced. Among the various features of fire doors, smoke seals are often topics of discussion. 

Their roles, while distinct, are integral to the door’s overall functionality in preventing the spread of fire and smoke. 

The Role of Smoke Seals in Fire Safety

Smoke seals are designed to prevent the passage of smoke around the edges of a closed fire door. Typically made from materials like brush bristles, rubber strips, or advanced flame-retardant polymers, these seals are crucial for protecting breathable air quality in adjacent compartments during a fire. 

Smoke, laden with toxic particulates, can spread rapidly, posing significant risks of asphyxiation or disorientation, which are leading causes of injury or death in fires. Smoke seals effectively delay this initial wave of smoke, granting occupants extra time for evacuation and preventing smoke contamination along primary escape routes.

Legal Requirements for Smoke Seals in the UK

The Building Regulations in the UK provide guidance on fire door resistance and smoke leakage across different building types, and where the prevention of smoke leakage is identified, a smoke seal must also be fitted.

The Importance of Correct Installation and Compatibility

For the effectiveness of fire doors, it’s crucial that the smoke seals are installed correctly and are compatible with the fire door assembly. 

Using the same type of seals around the door, as specified in the fire door certificate and supporting documentation, is essential to ensure the door achieves the designated fire resistance levels.

The Gap Between the Door and Frame

An often-overlooked aspect of fire door efficacy is the gap between the door and the frame, which must be suitable for the seal fitted. Generally, this gap should not exceed 4 mm along the two long edges and across the top of the door leaf, although fire certification may allow for larger gaps on certain doors.

For non-smoke conditions, the gap at the bottom of the door (the threshold) is usually around 10mm, but it should be 3mm when smoke seals are required.

Bradbury Group – Compliant Fire Doors

While the legal requirement for smoke seals on FD30 fire doors in the UK may vary depending on the building’s fire risk assessment and regulations, inclusion is highly recommended.

Seals play a pivotal role in a fire door’s ability to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, enhancing the safety of occupants and the integrity of the building in the event of a fire. 

With decades of expertise delivering commercial and industrial security doorsets, Bradbury Group offers exceptional steel fire doors fully compliant with current regulations. Our certified fire doors are engineered specifically around your needs.

Get in Touch Today

Ensuring aligned fire safety requires experience – let our advisors specify the ideal measures creating peace of mind. Contact Bradbury Group today to discuss tailoring fully equipped fire doors for your setting.

To ensure compliance, learn about the legal requirements for a fire door and the rules for internal fire doors.