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When it comes to building safety, fire doors fitted with intumescent seals stand as the first line of defence against the rapid spread of fire, smoke and toxic gasses. Over time, wear and tear can compromise the effectiveness of these doors making it necessary to update their fire protection. Fire door seals which may have been state-of-the-art when the building was constructed, might not meet current fire standards. One of the best ways to upgrade fire doors is to replace worn-out fire door seals by fitting intumescent strips. In this post, we will explain when you need to replace your seals and how to fit intumescent strips successfully.
In order to provide the best fire protection, existing fire doors need intumescent fire strips, especially if they were not originally equipped with them or if the existing strips have become worn out or damaged over time. If the fire door has no seals, you will need to retrofit intumescent strips. Intumescent seals play a vital role in enhancing the fire resistance of fire doors by expanding when exposed to heat. This creates an effective seal that helps slow the spread of fire and smoke.
As the name suggests, a fire door smoke seal is designed to prevent the spread of smoke as well as hot gases and toxic fumes during a fire. Intumescent fire seals on the other hand are activated in the presence of extreme heat and are focused on improving the fire-rated door’s resistance to fire. This makes them great for fire doors in need of an upgrade.
To provide comprehensive protection against fire and smoke hazards, modern fire doors are often equipped with combination intumescent strips and smoke seals. These intumescent smoke seals, also known as cold smoke seals, combine intumescent fire seals with a thick bristled strip that seals out harmful smoke. This is essential for preventing smoke from spreading before the intumescent fire strips start expanding.
In cases where the existing fire seals are damaged, outdated or not functioning properly, complete replacement might be necessary. The first step is to perform a complete assessment of the fire seal to identify any gaps between the seal and the door frame. Ideally, these checks should be done at least every six months, however, if you are the responsible person for a multi-occupied residential building, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 make it a legal requirement for fire doors to be checked every three months.
Check the seal for cracks or tears that could affect the seal's performance. In the event of finding any sections of the intumescent seals in need of repair, it is advisable to replace the entire strip rather than the damaged section. This will ensure consistent fire resistance for your fire door since intumescent fire seals can vary.
Replacing door seals like intumescent fire door seals can be relatively easy providing the fire door has the appropriate groove to house the seal. When it comes to fitting intumescent strips to fire doors, you will need to prep the area beforehand.
After removing the old seal, clean the door frame and remove any dirt, debris and old adhesive residue that could affect the seal’s adhesion. Measure the area where the seal will be fitted and cut the intumescent strip accordingly. Before exposing the adhesive backing on the fire door seal, put the seal in place and confirm that the door can open and close properly. Once you are satisfied that the door will function effectively, remove the tape to reveal the adhesive and apply the strip to the frame using firm pressure. If you are fitting intumescent strips for the first time, or you are unsure where to place the seals, you can consult the fire door manufacturer or your intumescent strip supplier for advice on how to upgrade your fire door.
If you’ve discovered that it is time to replace your fire door seal, JA Seals sells high-quality intumescent seals perfect for fire door upgrades. If you need advice on how to fit intumescent strips and which seal is right for you, contact our friendly team of experts who will be happy to help.
