Can You Paint Fire Doors?
Can You Paint Fire Doors?
Fire doors are a legal requirement in most commercial and public buildings and can also be required in some domestic settings. Depending on their specification, they create a fire-resistant barrier against smoke and flames for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Fire doors are used to compartmentalise a building, slowing the spread of fire and creating a safe escape route for occupants.
Installing fire doors is crucial to protect against fire and smoke, but what about aesthetics? Is it possible to achieve a visually pleasant space without compromising fire safety? With only a limited number of colours available for fire doors, you may wonder if you can paint them. Here, Doorstation answers that vital question. Read on to discover the facts about whether or not you can paint fire doors.
What Is a Fire-Rated Door?
A fire door is different to a regular door. It is usually around 10mm thicker and constructed from sturdy materials. Fire doors play a crucial role in slowing or stopping the spread of fire and smoke in a building. They can be made from timber, steel, gypsum, and aluminium and can also have windows made from either borosilicate or ceramic glass. Their design incorporates an intumescent strip at the base of the door, designed to expand when it becomes warm to stop smoke from seeping underneath, and a spring-loaded or hydraulic closing mechanism to force the door closed.
Fire doors are made to a certain fire rating that indicates the length of time a door can withstand smoke and fire. The FD number represents the amount of time in minutes. Typically, fire doors are available in FD30 and FD60 specifications.
Fire doors may be constructed quite differently from standard doors, but the type of paint used to cover them can be the same. Surprisingly, fire doors can be painted with regular or fire-rated paints, and neither will affect their fire-resisting properties.
Doorstation stocks a full range of FD30 and FD60 fire doors, including glazed, flush and bespoke designs.
How To Paint a Fire Door
Fire doors are only available in a small range of colours, so it may be necessary to give them a lick of paint to match your room's colour palette. You can paint a fire door using regular paint or varnish, or fire-resistant paint, but it’s important to follow some important safety guidelines to maintain its effectiveness:
- Try to use fire-rated paint as this will provide the maximum protection in the event of a fire. Fire-rated paints are regulated by British Safety Standards BS 476 and can be used on exterior and interior fire doors.
- Never paint over hardware on fire doors as this can impair their function and restrict movement and closure in the event of a fire. It can also damage the smoke seal.
- Prepare the door carefully by lightly sanding the surface to create a smooth edge. Use a primer first, and then finish with the top coat.
- Take care not to apply the paint too thickly as this could compromise the fire doors’ functionality.
- Always allow the paint to dry completely between coats, and use a hand roller for even coverage.
Top Tip: The average life span of fire-resistant paint is around five years. Always check the manufacturers' guidelines.
Where Do You Need Fire Doors?
According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety Act 2021, fire doors must be used in the following situations:
- All non-domestic properties, including offices, factories and public buildings, must have fire doors.
- Common areas in multi-occupancy buildings must have fire doors. This provides a safe fire evacuation route.
- Domestic homes with three or more storeys must have a fire door where the rooms connect to the stairwell.
- Newly renovated homes with two or more storeys require a fire door where each habitable room leads to the stairwell.
- Exit/escape routes in non-domestic buildings must have fire doors installed throughout.
- Specific rules are required in some buildings that house fire alarms or other notable equipment.
- Access doors to loft conversions and garages must be fire-rated.
Who Can Fit Fire Doors?
Technically, anyone can fit a fire door, but because of their complexity and potential safety risks, it's advisable to have them installed by a qualified professional. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire doors must be installed by a competent person. Although no specific qualification is required, this person must have the knowledge and experience necessary to fit fire doors to the required safety regulations.
Fire doors must also be inspected regularly by a competent person. While not legally required, inspectors can obtain a qualification in this field. The Fire Door Inspection Scheme is a recognised qualification that validates an inspectors’ level of competency. Fire doors should be inspected at least every six months, or more frequently in areas of high traffic.
To Conclude...
Fire doors can be painted, and they can even be painted using regular paint, as long as certain guidelines are followed. So, whatever your style and however you roll, your fire door will fit in perfectly!
Doorstation offers a full range of fire door designs including four and six panel doors, shaker and cottage styles and glazed fire doors. We also stock an extensive choice of fire-rated door handles, hinges and accessories. There’s no need to compromise on style because our fire doors can match the rest of your internal and external doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint door frames with fire-resistant paint?
Yes, door architrave can be painted with fire-resistant paint, and this can enhance the doors' fire protection qualities.
Is it illegal to paint a fire door?
No, it is not illegal, but any painting should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and should not compromise the doors’ fire resistance.
Can intumescent strips be painted over?
An intumescent strip being used as a smoke seal cannot be painted over, as painting could damage its functionality. However, if the intumescent strip is being used for fire protection, it can be painted over.
Is fire-resistant paint the same as intumescent paint?
Yes, fire-resistant paint and intumescent paint are the same. This type of paint creates a barrier against flames and heat.
What is a smoke seal on a fire door?
A fire door smoke seal is a strip of material such as rubber, brush or nylon that closes the gap between the door and the frame, to prevent smoke from getting through.
Do you need building regs for fire doors?
Yes, fire doors usually require compliance with Building Regulations. Approved Document B (Fire Safety) covers the requirements for fire safety in buildings. New buildings must follow the latest guidance, while fire doors in existing buildings must be regularly maintained and inspected.
