Neil ashdown

If an intumescent strip is missing from the edge of the door leaf or from the head or jamb of the door frame, it should be replaced with the correct sized strip and of the same type as the other strips fitted. The reason that intumescent strips are not fitted to both door leaf and frame, is that the intumescent strip is designed to expand to form a seal against a solid surface rather than against an opposing intumescent strip. It is not uncommon to find intumescent strips fitted to both door and frame opposing each other and this has usually been done in ignorance of the fire door installation requirements. Some people often say that having strips fitted in this way could cause the doors to open in a fire situation due to the expanding pressure from both seals and therefore the door would fail to provide the required fire separation performance. However, there are some double leaf fire doors with edge protectors that have been tested with opposing strips to the meeting edges of both door leaves. Clearly, a fire door fitted with intumescent strips in a manner contrary to the door manufacturer's installation requirements could behave in an unpredictable way in a fire situation, that's why the fire door industry trade associations go to such lengths to promote correct and compliant fire door installation. More on this at https://www.ifsa.org.uk/

The 50mm gap is too large for a timber-based fire door assembly. Consult 'BS 8214:2016 Timber-based fire door assemblies - Code of practice' for details about maximum gap sizes and suitable fire stopping materials.

Yes, if they are required by the door leaf manufacturers evidence of fire resistance performance.

That depends on the fire door leaf manufacturers requirements. Many fire door manufacturer's insist that such work is carried out by approved processors under licence. If the vision panel is not fitted in this way, then the fire performance certification for the door is void. However, if you are fabricating a door from a fire door blank, you can cut and glaze vision panels so long as the work is carried out within the scope of the blank manufacturers instructions.

For the door to be properly effective as a fire door the maximum gap at the bottom should be 10mm. You could fit a threshold plate to the floor or cill under the door to rectify this or if you prefer you could fix a hardwood lipping to the bottom edge of the door. Today's building regulations require such a door to be self-closing and to restrict spread of cold smoke FD30(s) so a suitable self-closing device, the correct size intumescent seals and smoke seals should be fitted. To seal the gap at the bottom edge of the door you could fit a threshold seal (see below). Not sure what the requirements were in 1985.

You seem to be describing combined intumescent fire and smoke seals, both are suitable. When fitted the brush or blade should lightly contact the surface of the door edge or door frame to provide an effective seal to restrict the spread of cold smoke. The brush type tends to be more durable but the blade type are more forgiving in terms of the door self-closing and overcoming the resistance fro the seal.

Before you prepare to install and when you carry out the installation, carefully adhere to the fire door leaf manufacturer's instructions. These should include screw fixing sizes, penetration and centres for frame to wall. For advice on smoke seals and threshold requirements try ifsa.org.uk and asdma.com

Although there is no legal requirement for the fire door installer/maintainer to have a particular qualification, there are relevant requirements set out in Article 17 and Article 18 of the Fire Safety Order https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/17/made and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/18/made There is no list of competent installers / maintainers as far as I am aware.

The standard for door self-closing devices is BS EN 1154. For a fire door the device should be minimum power-size 3 and have controls for adjustment of closing speed and damping action. Section three of the document 'Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors - Code of Practice' at http://www.firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf#:~:text=Code of Practice%3A Hardware for Fire and Escape,on fire-resisting doors and doorsets%2C and escape doors. provides detailed information.

The guidance document BS 8214: 2016 'Timber-based fire door assemblies-Code of practice' deals with threshold gaps for restricted cold smoke spread requirements in section 12.3. So its clear that, when installing fire doors to that standard, the door bottom edge to floor covering/threshold plate gap should not exceed that specified by the fire door leaf manufacturer, this is commonly 6mm to 10mm. Where the door is required to restrict spread of cold smoke the threshold gap should not exceed 3mm. Where a 3mm gap cannot be achieved (due to floor condition) a suitable threshold plate or ramp should be fitted to the floor and/or a threshold seal to the door leaf as necessary. In terms of responsibility, its impossible to answer your question because details of the agreement between you and your client are unknown. Eg. Who carried out the pre-works survey? In my view, the fire door installer should inform the client about threshold gap requirements and recommend suitable solutions (as described above) where gaps are excessive. Hope this helps.

Falcon Panel Products are the importer of Flamebreak and have a very good technical dept. https://www.falconpp.co.uk/contact/

Here is a link https://www.warringtoncertification.com/certificates/CF257/5606/CF257 Pyroguard.pdf to a Certifire certificate of approval and data sheet for Pyroguard. Check with the joiner that this is the product they will be using. The data sheet provides you with details about the fire resistance performance of the product, how it may be used, its limitations and how it should be installed. If he is not a Competent Person, why would you consider engaging his services? And don't forget to check whether you are required to notify Local Building Control.

This topic also applies to your question:

There is currently no legal requirement for a fire door installer to possess a dedicated qualification or certification. However, building operators must comply with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Articles 17 and 18 deal with maintenance and competence.