Fire Doors (DG 524)
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Fire Doors (DG 524) was written by Norman Macdonald and Andy Russel, and was published by BRE on 21 February 2012. It superseded BRE Digest 320, which was withdrawn. Fire door assemblies now use a wide range of different designs, and so simplified guidance on their construction is no longer appropriate.
To provide adequate means of escape in case of fire, and to provide structural fire protection, different parts of a abuilding may need to be separated by fire-resisting construction. Any openings within these enclosures for the passage of people or large objects will need to be closed off by doors (or shutters) that prevent excessive transmission of products of combustions and maintain the effectiveness as a fire barrier of the wall or partition in which they are located.
DG 524 explains the role played by fire doors and smoke control doors, as well as methods that can be used to assess their performance and applicable regulations and codes of practice. The importance of third-party certification for manufacture, installation and maintenance of fire doors is highlighted, and key performance requirements for fire doors and smoke control doors are summarised.
The 8-page digest will be of interest to specifiers, manufacturers, installers and approval authorities such as building control and insurers.
Its contents are:
- Regulatory requirements.
- Determination of performance.
- Installation.
- Maintenance.
- Modifications.
- Problems in use.
- Renovation.
- Conclusion.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- A Guide for Selecting Flat Entrance Doorsets.
- Approved document B.
- Automatic release mechanism.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
- Fire doors.
- Fire in buildings.
- Fire protection engineering.
- Fire.
- Free-swing door closer.
- Hold-open device.
- Installing fire doors and doorsets (GG 86).
- Means of escape.
- Self-closing device.
- Types of door.
Featured articles and news
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.



















