Upgrading Manual Fire Doors Into Automatic Doors

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has launched a new industry safety project to make sure that upgrading manual fire doors into automatic doors does not accidentally ruin their fire protection.

Adding automatic openers, sensors, or wiring to an existing fire door (retrofitting) helps manage busy corridors and improves access for wheelchair users or disabled students. However, drilling into a fire door or altering its structure can weaken its ability to hold back smoke and fire during an emergency.

Why This Matters for UK Schools

• Managing High Footfall: UK schools rely heavily on automated doors in main corridors, reception areas, and dining halls to keep traffic moving smoothly between lessons;

• Accessibility Compliance: Schools must provide accessible routes under the Equality Act 2010. Adding automatic operators to heavy timber fire doors allows disabled pupils and staff to move around independently without assistance;

• Protecting Timber Fire Doors: Most UK school buildings use standard timber fire doors (such as FD30 or FD60 rated doors). Making unauthorized alterations to these doors can compromise building safety and break UK fire safety regulations; and

• Legal Duty of Responsible Persons: Headteachers, school business managers, and local authorities must ensure that any building modifications maintain valid fire performance evidence and pass regular fire risk assessments.

What the ADSA Initiative Will Do

To solve this issue, ADSA has teamed up with top door manufacturers (Record UK, dormakaba, GEZE UK) and woodworking trade bodies. Together, they are carrying out real-world fire tests on timber doors to see exactly how modifications—like drilling cable holes or swapping out handles—affect fire resistance.

Rather than forcing schools to replace entire door setups, ADSA plans to release clear, practical guidance later this year. This will outline safe installation methods, proper cable routing, and correct fire-stopping materials so that existing school fire doors can be automated safely and legally without risking pupil safety.