Fire door gaps compliance

[kioni.tyana]

During occupancy of a refurbished office building, a fire engineer is called in because smoke leakage was detected near a stairwell door. The door seemingly met specifications when installed. Why are gaps around fire doors important in safety terms, and how should they be managed over time?

[tab.daxon]

Even minor gaps around a fire door can drastically reduce its effectiveness because smoke and hot gases can exploit these clearances, undermining compartmentation. Doors might be installed exactly to specification but drift out of tolerance due to building movement, hinge loosening, or uneven wear. That’s why regulations define tight limits for acceptable clearances. Practical explanations like those in Why gaps around fire doors are important show how even a few millimetres change the pressure and flow of smoke during a fire, potentially exposing escape routes. Regular measurement and adjustment are essential to ensure fire doors perform as intended throughout a building’s life.