Arrone AR700 Intumescent Pack Suit Double Action Floor Spring

Yes, intumescent strips are fire rated and come in various fire-resistance classes. The fire rating will depend on the type of strip and the application. Ratings typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours of fire protection.  

Strips must be manufactured and tested in accordance with BS476 pt22 and BS EN 1634-1. 

Generally no, however there are some specialist strips that are designed to be painted over without compromising their effectiveness. However, it’s important to use the appropriate type of paint, as certain paints or coatings may affect the strip’s expansion properties during a fire. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding painting.

If the strip is cracked, damaged, or deteriorating, it should be replaced. Additionally, if a fire has occurred or the seal has been disturbed, it’s crucial to inspect the strip for integrity. 

Strip is generally stopped at the hinge, and restarts after. However the hinge itself must be fitted with intumescent sheet / pads under the hinge. 

The same applies to lock keeps, where an intumescent kit should be fitted under the keep. 

Enhanced fire safety: They help to contain fires, preventing them from spreading rapidly. 

Smoke and gas protection: Intumescent strips can prevent smoke and harmful gases from leaking through gaps. 

Cost-effective: They are an affordable fire safety measure compared to installing full fire-resistant doors or windows. 

Easy installation: They can be retrofitted into existing doors and frames. 

Intumescent strips typically don’t require regular maintenance. However, they should be inspected periodically to ensure that they are intact and undamaged. If the strip is compromised (e.g., cracked, torn, or degraded), it should be replaced promptly to ensure continued fire protection.

To adjust the closing speed, locate the closing speed valve on the closer (marked with an S) – use a screwdriver to turn the valve clockwise to decrease speed, or counter-clockwise to increase the speed. To adjust the latching speed, locate the latching speed valve (usually marked with an L) and adjust to control the final few inches of the door closing. If the door is hard to open or closes too forcefully, adjust the spring tension by locating the tension adjustment and using a screwdriver to adjust according to the manufacturer's instructions.

For more detailed door closer installation instructions, see our Ultimate Guide to Door Closers blog

Slide arm closers can help minimise the risk of vandalism in schools and public buildings as there is no protruding arm. A slide arm design may also be ideal where traditional swing-arm models cannot fit, or where there are constraints around door clearance. Unlike traditional door closers, which use a pivot arm, the slide arm closer features a straight arm that moves in a horizontal, sliding motion to close the door.

The backcheck function slows the opening speed of the door, particularly when it's forcibly opened. This can help prevent damage being caused to the door, the fittings and particularly adjacent walls.

Yes, although pull side mounting is the most common installation. Door closer fitting options are categorised by the following:

• Standard: Arm Surface Mounted (Figure 1 - Pull side fitted to door)
• Parallel: Arm Surface Mounted (Figure 66 - Push side fitted to door)
• Transom: Mounted (Figure 61 – Push side fitted to frame over door)

The delayed action function slows the first part of the closing cycle down, allowing users more time to go through. It’s particularly useful for disabled and elderly people, and sometimes children, who might need additional time to pass through the door.

Overhead door closers are fitted to the surface of the door, while concealed door closers are installed either in the door jamb, the door itself, or the transom (the head of the door frame). Concealed door closers don’t have a protruding arm so aren’t visible when the door is closed – making them ideal for high-end offices and buildings where design is an important factor. Overhead door closers may not be suitable for areas prone to vandalism such as schools and prisons, as the arm can be subject to damage – in these environments a concealed door closer would be more suitable.

For more information on all the different types of door closers, check out our Ultimate Guide to Door Closers

Door closer power sizes are based on the height and weight of the door, so check these before selecting. Note that fire doors must have a minimum power size EN 3 to conform to BS EN 1154 standard. Our Ultimate Guide to Door Closers explains how to calculate the correct power size.

BS EN 1154 is the main British Standard for door closers and covers any self-closing device that provides controlled closure for pedestrian doors. The standard states that the door closer must fully close the door in a controlled manner from its maximum openable position. Electromagnetic door closers with hold open functionality must comply with BS EN 1155 to ensure they close automatically in the event of a fire.

No. Surface mounted overhead door closers are not generally handed and they can be fitted for left or right hand opening on either side of the door.

Intumescent hinge pads are fire-resistant pads that should be fitted behind the hinge leaf on both door and frame side. The intumescent material will expand when exposed to heat to seal fire doors to their frames and prevent the spread of fire. 

Yes, legislation and fire safety regulations require the use of fire-rated doors with intumescent seals, including intumescent hinge pads. Pads ensure the door’s overall fire resistance, which is crucial in providing safe egress routes and preventing the rapid spread of fire.

Intumescent material expands and forms a dense char when heated or is exposed to fire, increasing its volume and decreasing in density. This expansion is called intumescence.

The primary purpose is to achieve the fire rating of fire doors. When hinges are fitted to fire doors, gaps form around the hinge area that could compromise the door’s ability to resist fire. Intumescent hinge pads seal these gaps, ensuring the door remains effective in preventing the spread of fire and smoke.

Enhanced fire safety: They help to contain fires, preventing them from spreading rapidly

Smoke and gas protection: Intumescent hinge pads can, after being exposed to heat, prevent smoke and harmful gases from leaking through gaps

Cost-effective: They are an affordable fire safety measure compared to installing full fire-resistant doors or windows

Legislation: Fitting intumescent hinge pads is a legal requirement. Fire door hinge fire test evidence is gained when intumescent hinge pads are fitted

Easy installation: They can be retrofitted into existing doors and frames

Intumescent hinge pads are used in fire-rated doors, such as those in commercial, industrial, or residential buildings where fire protection is a priority.  

Our Responsibility: Offer and guide customers through fire door ironmongery legislation and offer tested and accredited fit for purpose products

Your Responsibility: To fit appropriate tested and accredited ironmongery when fire doors are required

Joint Responsibility:  Communicate effectively to ensure correct specification, selection, fitting and maintenance of ironmongery fitted to fire doors. If your not sure, please ask us

“More importantly still, I think you need to examine why you are doing this. You should be doing this because it’s the right thing to do. Not because legislation make you do it.” 

Dame Judith Hackett 

The intumescent material in the pad reacts to the heat of fire and expands to seal gaps between the door and frame, preventing the passage of flames, hot gases, and smoke. 

Yes, our intumescent hinge pads are fire-rated and come in various fire-resistance classes. The fire rating will depend on the type of strip and the application. Ratings typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours of fire protection.  

Strips must be manufactured and tested in accordance with BS476 pt22 and BS EN 1634-1. 

The main advantage of intumescent hinge pads is that they are designed specifically for the hinge area of fire-rated doors. Traditional fire seals typically work on the perimeter of a door, but hinge pads address the unique fire risks posed by the hinge gap, ensuring a more comprehensive fire protection solution. 

Intumescent hinge pads should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from damage. They do not require special handling, but care should be taken to avoid exposing them to extreme conditions like heat and moisture prior to installation. 

Intumescent material expands and forms a dense char when heated or exposed to fire, increasing its volume and decreasing in density. This expansion is called intumescence.

The intumescent material in the strip reacts to the heat of fire and expands to seal gaps between the door and frame, preventing the passage of flames, hot gases, and smoke.

Two types are available, with or without smoke seal. 

Smoke seal strips generally have a brush seal fitted that stop the spread of smoke before the heat of a fire builds sufficiently for the intumescent seal to expand.  

Intumescent strips are fire-resistant plastic strips with a centre of intumescent material that expands when exposed to heat to seal fire doors to their frames and prevent the spread of fire. 

Yes, nearly always intumescent strips fit into a pre routed groove and are generally self-adhesive. 

However we do stock a surface mounted version that can be fitted where there is a larger gap between the door and frame. 

Intumescent strips should be fitted to the door frame, not the door itself. Fire tests are undertaken with the strip fitted to the frame.  

However, in the case of double doors with plain meeting style one side of the meeting doors should be fitted with a brush seal that butts against a plain strip fitted to the opposite door.  

Commercial buildings, public buildings, residential homes, and places that require fire-resistance ratings as part of building code compliance.

There are 2 common lengths, 2100mm and 1050mm. 2100mm allows for a continuous length to the sides of the door. Strips are easily cut with a builder's knife or small hacksaw.

The 3 popular sizes of intumescent strip are: 10x4mm for 30 minute fire doors, 15x4mm for both 30 minute and 60 minute fire doors, and 20x4mm for 60 minute fire doors. 

Intumescent strips are designed to last for several years when properly installed. However, their effectiveness can be compromised by environmental factors such as excessive moisture, UV exposure, or physical damage. It’s recommended to inspect and replace intumescent strips as part of regular fire safety maintenance, especially after a fire or significant wear and tear.