Why won't my fire door latch?
Get a priceUsually the closer is set too weak, or the leaf is catching on the frame.
Open the door about 30 degrees and let go. Watch where it stops.
If it stops near the frame
The leaf is rubbing. Look for a shiny strip or paint scuffs on the edge of the door or the frame. A thick coat of paint is a common cause. So is a hinge that has worked loose and let the door drop.
Check the hinge screws first. If one turns without gripping, the door has sagged and is touching at the top corner.
If it stops well short
The closer is too weak, or something is holding it back. Look at the arm. Is it bent? Is it hooked off? Has someone turned the speed valve right down because the door banged?
A closer that has been backed off is a very common fault.
If it reaches the frame but does not click
The latch is not lining up with the keep, or the keep has been painted over. A door that has dropped by a couple of millimetres will do this.
What not to do
Do not plane the edge of the door. Fire doors depend on a tight, known gap, and planing it is how many lose their rating.
Do not take the latch out so the door "just closes". A door that does not latch will not hold in a fire.
If you cannot find the cause in five minutes, get it looked at. It is a small job in most cases.
Send the postcode and a rough door count. We will come back with a price today.
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