A fire door is not just the leaf: it needs a closer, suitable hinges, a reliable latch and the right seals, all fitted so the door shuts and stays shut. Vizat’s fire door pages say handles and additional ironmongery are not included. This guide walks through the hardware collections on the site and the general UK expectations for fire door ironmongery.
This article is general guidance, written with England in mind, and is not legal advice. Fire door requirements depend on the building, its use, the fire strategy and the fire risk assessment. Rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can differ. If you are unsure, take advice from a competent fire safety professional before you buy or fit a door.
The door leaf is only part of the assembly
A fire door works as a set: leaf, frame, seals and ironmongery. If the closer does not latch the door, or the hinges fail, or the seals are missing, the rating on the leaf will not help as it should. Vizat’s fire door product pages say that handles and additional ironmongery are not included, so you should plan the hardware when you order the door.
UK guidance and codes of practice for timber fire doors (including BS 8214) treat hardware as part of the installation, not an afterthought. This article points you to the official context and to the collections on the Vizat site. It does not certify that any particular accessory is approved for use with a particular Vizat leaf.
What to specify with a fire door
| Item | Why it matters | Vizat collection |
|---|---|---|
| Door closer | The door should close fully and latch from any open position, without slamming | Fire Door Closer |
| Hinges | Fire doors are heavier than many domestic doors and need suitable hinges, correctly spaced and fully screwed | Fire Door Hinges |
| Locks and latches | The latch should engage reliably; escape must remain possible in the direction of travel required by the fire strategy | Fire-rated locks & Latches |
| Intumescent seals and related items | Seals help close the gap around the door in a fire; some products also address smoke or thresholds | Intumescents |
| Handles, pull handles and finger plates | Needed for use, and not included with the leaf on the door pages reviewed | Push & Pull Handles, Finger Plates |
| Kick plates | Help protect high-traffic doors from damage that could affect the leaf | Kick Plates |
| Signs | Identify fire doors and exit routes where required | Signs |
| Hold-open devices | Only where the fire strategy allows a door to stand open and still close in a fire | Dorgard, Agrippa |
| Exit hardware | Where a door is part of an escape route that needs panic or access-control hardware | Fire Exit Hardware & Access Control |
| Frame sealants and foams | Some installations use fire-rated foams or sealants around the frame — only as specified | Sealants, Adhesives & Foams |
There is also a Fire Door Kit collection if you want a combined handle kit, and frames and linings if the frame is being replaced.
Self-closers and hold-open devices
A fire door that is meant to be kept shut should not be wedged. Government fire door guidance for the 2022 Regulations stresses that fire doors need to close correctly. If a communal door has to stand open for everyday movement, the usual approach is a hold-open or free-swing device linked to the fire alarm, specified by a competent person — not a wooden wedge or a hook-and-eye.
Seals, gaps and inspection
Intumescent seals, smoke seals and the gap around the door are among the first things an inspection looks at. Vizat’s maintenance article describes checks on closers, hinges, seals and typical 3–4 mm gaps. Once hardware is fitted, keep it maintained: a closer that is disconnected, or a missing screw in a hinge, is a defect, not a minor inconvenience.
Frequently asked questions
Are handles and closers included with a Vizat fire door?
The door product descriptions reviewed state that handles and additional ironmongery are not included. Budget for a closer, hinges, latch or lock, and any seals or signs separately. Vizat groups these in Fire Door Accessories.
Can I use ordinary hinges or a standard domestic closer?
A fire door needs hardware that is suitable for that use. Ordinary light domestic hinges or a closer that cannot shut the door reliably from any angle are a common reason a fire door fails an inspection. Choose hardware described for fire door use and fit it as instructed.
Is it legal to wedge a fire door open?
Wedging or otherwise holding a fire door open so that it cannot close in a fire is unsafe and can breach fire safety duties. If a door needs to stand open in normal use, that is usually a job for a hold-open device that releases when the fire alarm operates, specified as part of the fire strategy. See the government fire door guidance and take advice if you are unsure. Vizat lists Dorgard and Agrippa holders; check the product details and your fire risk assessment before relying on any hold-open device.
What are intumescent seals?
They are strips that swell in heat to help seal the gap between the door and the frame. Some seals also include a smoke brush or fin. Vizat’s regulations article and maintenance article describe them, and the shop lists intumescent products separately. Follow the door and lining instructions for the size and position of strips.
Do I need a fire door sign?
Many fire doors are marked so that people know they are fire doors and should be kept shut (or shut when the alarm sounds, if a hold-open device is used). Signage requirements depend on the premises. Vizat lists signs, including an FD30 fire door sign, in the Signs collection.
What is in the Fire Door Kit collection?
Vizat has a Fire Door Kit collection, which includes items such as a light-duty lever handle kit. Read the product description for what is in each kit; do not assume a kit contains every closer, hinge, seal and sign you will need.
Related guides and products
You may also find these Vizat guides useful:
- FD30 vs FD60 fire doors: what's the difference?
- Fire door sizes in the UK
- Glazed fire door rules
- Choosing a fire door for an HMO or flat
- How to measure and fit a fire door
Existing Vizat articles on regulations and upkeep:
For product questions, contact Vizat Doors on the contact page, email info@vizatdoors.co.uk or call 0116 319 1940.