Smoke seals

[Guest Jiggle]

Would like some advice on FD30s and FD60s doors.   If they are fitted with smoke blades around the frame or leaf, is there a maximum interruption allowance, for example; where the smoke seal is obstructed by a hinge blade or a lock/latch.  

Do the seals have to be continuous around the leaf or frame, for the door to be considered adequate enough to do its job?

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

Generally smoke seals may be interrupted at locks, latches, keeps and hinges. However, where extra large items of hardware have been fitted such as self-closers concealed at the top of the door/head of the door frame or large mortice locks, alternative type smoke seals should be used.  Other types of smoke seals are available, such as compression seals fitted in the door frame rebate or blades in a carrier that can be fitted on top of the rebate stop to contact the face of the door, so there's no reason not to have sufficient smoke sealing. Also, don't forget the threshold.

Clearly, double swing doors are more challenging in terms of smoke seals.

For more info try the Intumescent Fire Seals Association at www.ifsa.org.uk