Victorian Rectory Polished Brass Lever Door Handles - Latch

Do Fire Doors Need Special Handles?

There is currently no requirement under the Construction Product Regulations for fire doors to have fire rated handles, as they are not integral to the function of a fire door in an emergency. HOWEVER - good practice would always be to ensure any fire door handles have been tested to BS EN 1634, as this will determine their resistance in a fire.

More important is to ensure that latches or locks fitted to a fire door are fire rated and fitted with intumescent wraps - these are essential to the function of a fire door and can have catastrophic consequences if they fail.

How Do I Know If My Door Handle Is Fire Rated?

As stated above, there is no legal requirement for fire doors to have fire rated handles. But when buying fire door handles, always ensure they have been tested to BS EN 1634 to determine the fire resistance rating (FD30 or FD60). If in doubt, always check the test certificate of your fire door as this will determine whether it was tested with fire rated handles.

Is It Easy To Fit a New Door Handle?

Door handles can generally be fitted by anyone competent in basic DIY. We've outlined the steps below for guidance:

Remove the Old Handle

1. Align the new handle with the existing spindle hole and fixing points. Mark new holes if needed.
   
2. Slide the spindle through the latch or lock mechanism in the door.
   
3. Position each handle on either side of the door over the spindle. Secure with the provided screws.
   
4. Ensure the handle moves smoothly and the latch engages and releases properly.
   
5. Snap or screw on any decorative cover plates to conceal fixings.