Fire doors with fire activated retaining devices (e.g. bolts)
FRNSW require fire doors to remain functional (i.e. openable and closeable) for the duration of any fire to allow safe evacuation of occupants and to facilitate fire brigade intervention. Fire doors should not be fitted with supplementary fire activated retaining devices that render the door inoperable once activated by fire.
Note: Clause 2.1.4.1 of AS 1905.1:2015 Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls Part 1: Fire-resistant doorsets states all hardware shall function so that the door leaf is self-latching; fire activated retaining devices are not self-latching.
FRNSW understand that fire activated retaining devices, such as fire bolts, are being installed within some fire resisting doorsets to allow the door to pass the fire resistance requirements of AS 1530.4:2014 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction.
Fire activated retaining devices are supplementary hardware that latch the door leaf to the frame when activated by fire and can be triggered by various means (e.g. intumescent, fusible link, magnetic), and secure the door shut to minimise warping and ensure integrity.
However, if these devices activate prior to or during occupant evacuation or fire brigade intervention then Performance Requirement D1P2 of the National Construction Code (NCC) is not being satisfied as occupants may have their egress impeded or become trapped in the building and fire brigade intervention may be impeded.
Note: Fire activated retaining devices may trigger early during fire, or even prior through unintended deployment, and render the door inoperable well within the maximum duration of the door’s corresponding fire test period.
Certifiers must ensure that Performance Requirement D1P2 is being satisfied to ensure fire doors remain readily openable by a person seeking egress or by firefighters undertaking intervention. Reliance should not be solely placed on AS 1530.4:2014 test reports as evidence of suitability.
Updated: 23rd December 2024