A double fire door is a pair of leaves in one frame, either equal or unequal (leaf-and-a-half). The two leaves meet in the middle, so the meeting edges, seals, closing sequence and any bolts must match the certification for the pair to perform as a fire door.
Why pairs need extra care
The meeting stiles are the weak point of a pair. Gaps there must be controlled, both leaves need intumescent and smoke seals as specified, and if the meeting edges are rebated, a door coordinator is usually needed so the leaves close in the right order. If they close out of sequence, the door may not latch and will not perform as tested.
Leaf-and-a-half for wider routes
Leaf-and-a-half doors give a usable everyday opening through the main leaf, with the smaller leaf opened for beds, trolleys or deliveries. They are common in care homes, hospitals and schools. The smaller leaf may be held with flush bolts; any bolts and their positions must be covered by the evidence.
Hold-opens and escape
Pairs on corridors are often held open in daily use, with hold-open devices releasing both leaves when the alarm sounds. Where a pair is on an escape route used by the public, the escape hardware and the direction of opening also need to suit the fire strategy.
Specification at a glance
- Configurations
- Equal pair, leaf-and-a-half
- Ratings
- FD30, FD30S, FD60, FD60S
- Meeting edge
- Seals and gap set to evidence
- Sequence
- Coordinator where rebated
- Hardware
- Closers per leaf, flush bolts, push plates
- Typical uses
- Corridors, wards, schools, lobbies
What's included
- Equal pair or leaf-and-a-half doorsets
- Meeting-stile intumescent and smoke seals
- Door coordinators where meeting edges are rebated
- Closers matched to each leaf
- Flush bolts and hold-opens within evidence
- Commissioning of closing sequence
How the installation runs
- Survey opening width, use and traffic
- Select pair configuration and hardware set
- Order certified doorset with coordinator and bolts if needed
- Install frame and hang both leaves
- Set closing sequence, seals and latching
- Test hold-open release and record evidence
How much does it cost?
£1,600 – £3,400 ex VAT
£1,600–£3,400 per pair supplied and fitted, depending on glazing and hardware, ex VAT. These are guide figures; your price is fixed after a free survey. See all guide prices or try the guide-price tool.
Questions about double fire doors
What does a door coordinator do?
It holds the leaf that must close second until the first leaf has shut, so rebated meeting edges close in the right order and both leaves latch. Without it, the pair can end up open or misaligned.
Do both leaves need closers?
Usually, yes. Each leaf of a fire door pair needs to close itself. The closers are sized to each leaf's width and weight.
Can double fire doors be held open?
Yes, with hold-open devices that release on the fire alarm, or with free-swing closers. Wedges and hooks are not acceptable.
Why does the gap between the two leaves matter?
The meeting edges are where flame and smoke can pass most easily. The gap and the seals there must match the certification for the pair to perform as tested.