A fire doorset is a complete door assembly, the leaf, frame, seals and ironmongery, that has been tested and certified together and is supplied as one product, often pre-hung. Because the whole assembly matches its test evidence, a doorset removes most of the guesswork that causes fire door installations to fail.
Why choose a doorset over a door leaf?
A fire door's rating belongs to the assembly that was tested, not to the leaf on its own. When a certified leaf is hung in an old frame with mismatched hinges and seals, nobody can say with confidence how it will perform. A doorset arrives with the frame, gaps and ironmongery already matched, so the installer's job is to fix it correctly into the opening and seal it to the structure.
Doorsets also cut time on site, which matters in occupied buildings: less cutting, less dust and fewer return visits.
What does third-party certification mean?
Third-party certification means an independent body has checked the product's test evidence and audits the factory that makes it. Certified products carry a label or plug on the door edge and a certificate you can check. Buyers often look for schemes such as BWF Certifire or BM TRADA Q-Mark when choosing products. Our guide to certified doorsets explains how to read the label and certificate.
How is a doorset installed?
The opening is prepared to the size and tolerances in the manufacturer's instructions. The frame is fixed with the specified fixings at the specified centres, packed where needed, and checked for square, plumb and twist. The gap between frame and wall is then sealed with a material covered by the evidence, which BS 8214:2026 now describes in more detail. Finally the leaf is adjusted, the closer is set and the assembly is tested before the architraves go on.
Specification at a glance
- What's included
- Leaf, frame, seals and ironmongery
- Ratings
- FD30, FD30S, FD60, FD60S (E30/E60)
- Finishes
- Paint-grade, veneer, laminate, composite
- Evidence
- Certificate label and installation data
- Install time
- Typically faster than a leaf-only job
- Best for
- Replacements, refurbishments, new openings
What's included
- Doorset selection to rating, size and use
- Pre-hung, pre-machined doorsets where available
- Installation to the manufacturer's instructions
- Frame fixing and frame-to-wall gap sealing
- Closer set-up and close-and-latch testing
- Certificate references and photo record per opening
How the installation runs
- Survey and measure every structural opening
- Specify doorsets by rating, size, hand, finish and hardware
- Prepare openings and remove existing doors and linings
- Fix and seal the frames to the structure
- Hang, adjust and test each leaf and closer
- Fit architraves, make good and hand over evidence
How much does it cost?
£650 – £1,800 ex VAT
£650–£1,300 for an FD30 doorset and £850–£1,800 for FD60, supplied and fitted, 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 certified fire doorsets
How long do doorsets take to arrive?
Lead times depend on the manufacturer, size, finish and ironmongery. Standard sizes can be quick; bespoke sizes and finishes take longer. We give you the lead time with the quote and confirm it at order.
Can a doorset be fitted into an existing opening?
Usually, yes. Doorsets are made to fit the structural opening once the old frame is removed. We measure the opening on the survey so the doorset is made to the right size and the gaps to the wall stay within what the evidence allows.
Do doorsets come painted?
They can be supplied primed, factory painted, veneered, laminated or with a composite skin, depending on the product. Factory finishes avoid painting over seals and labels on site.
Are doorsets more expensive than a leaf?
The product costs more, but the labour is often lower and the result is better evidenced. Where a frame would need replacing anyway, a doorset is usually the better value.