Fire doors are some of the most effective ways to prevent smoke, heat and flames from spreading as quickly within a property.

There are indeed many times when these doors are necessary in order to remain compliant with current safety regulations. However, there are often additional concerns when need to be addressed in terms of possible alterations.

For example, will you be allowed to drill or paint a fire door that has already been installed?

As the guidelines can be a bit tricky to follow, safety experts Ecosafe have compiled the answers to these two very important questions.

Let’s take a closer look.

Painting guidelines

You will be happy to learn that it is normally possible to paint a fire door. However, there are a handful of key takeaway points to highlight.

First, it is always advisable to use a fire-rated paint (this type of paint offers a host of non-flammable qualities).

Experts also recommend that the layer of paint should not be excessively thick nor should the door be painted in multiple layers.

Additionally, it is NOT permissible to paint specific areas of the fire door such as hinges, handles and any fire seals around the periphery.

There are also times when it is possible to paint a fire door with materials that glow in the dark. The benefit here is that the door will be much more visible even in low-light conditions; ideal when identifying its location in the event of an emergency.

Is it possible to drill holes in a fire door?

There may be times when additional hardware needs to be added to an existing fire-rated door. This can often involve drilling one or more holes.

The possible issue here is that such holes could compromise the safety of the door itself. This is why the authorities have put together a handful of useful guidelines.

For example, the diameter of the holes cannot exceed one inch (the only possible exception involves cylinder holes).

Another possible issue with drilling holes is that different doors are associated with unique stipulations in regards to what is allowed.

For instance, the thickness of the door (and therefore how long it is able to hold back a fire) may determine how many holes can be drilled and the width of each hole.

The main takeaway point here is that drilling holes may compromise the integrity of the door itself.

This is why it is a always better to consult with the manufacturer or to speak with a qualified fire door maintenance firm. These professionals will be able to determine if drilling one or more holes will impact the safety of the door itself.

As we can now see, it is very important to know what is permissible when modifying an existing fire door. If you have any additional questions or doubts, please make it a point to speak with the experts at Ecosafe. They will be more than happy to assist further and to provide targeted advice for your unique needs.