BWF’s Fire Door Safety Week 2025 is all about highlighting the critical role fire doors play in protecting lives and buildings. The campaign also reminds us just how many doors out there aren’t up to scratch. Research by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) revealed that approximately three-quarters of fire doors inspected fail to meet safety standards, primarily due to excessive gaps, poor installation, or missing and damaged seals. It’s a stark reminder that a fire door is only as good as its weakest component.

Of course, quickly replacing every non-compliant fire door simply isn’t realistic. That’s why retrofit solutions matter so much. They allow property managers, contractors, and inspectors to take immediate action to bring existing doors back into line with fire safety standards, without waiting for a full replacement programme. At Norseal, we’ve developed a range of retrofit products that are quick to fit, fully tested, and designed to make a real difference on site, now.

NOR820: Retrofit Made Simple

Sometimes, a door needs a tested but fast fix, and that’s where the NOR820 comes in. Instead of being concealed within the door leaf, it’s face-fixed with screws, making it ideal for on-site retrofitting. No routing, no specialist tools, just quick and effective installation. Despite the easy fit, the NOR820 still offers robust acoustic, smoke, and fire sealing, helping bring a door back into compliance in minutes. It’s a practical choice for contractors and facilities managers who need to improve performance without delay.

NOR710: Fast Retrofit Smoke and Acoustic Seal

The Norseal NOR710 is an ideal retrofit solution for fire-rated doors that need immediate smoke containment and improved acoustic performance. Thanks to its self-adhesive backing, it can be surface-applied cleanly and quickly without invasive cutting or disruption. Once installed, the seal delivers certified performance: smoke testing to BS 476-31.1, acoustic performance (up to around 48 dB) using dual air-pocket technology, and proven durability through one million cycle tests.

FrameFit: Closing the Gaps

One of the main reasons fire doors fail inspection is excessive gaps between the leaf and the frame. Regulations are strict on this point: 2 – 4mm around the sides and top, and 8mm (or 3mm for fire and smoke doors) at the bottom. Too big a gap, and the door simply can’t do its job in a fire.

That’s where FrameFit comes in. It’s a purpose-made gap remediation system using pre-formed intumescent fillets that expand in the heat of a fire to close down non-compliant gaps. Fully tested to BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1, FrameFit gives up to 60 minutes of fire resistance across a wide range of cores and frame materials. Supplied in a handy kit with different thicknesses, it allows inspectors and contractors to make doors safe on the spot, instead of waiting for a replacement programme.

Practical, Tested, Ready to Go

All three fire door seal solutions – NOR820, NOR710 and Framefit – are tested, easy-fit solutions that will make an immediate impact on the compliance and safety of fire doors.

Find out more about Norseal’s full range of retrofit fire door sealing solutions here, or speak to our technical team for advice on choosing the right product for your project.

FAQs

What are retrofit fire door seals?
Retrofit fire door seals are tested products that can be added to existing fire doors to improve performance. They help restore compliance by reducing gaps, improving smoke and acoustic protection, and ensuring the door performs as it was originally tested.

Why do fire doors fail inspections?
Research from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) shows that around 75% of fire doors fail inspections, most commonly due to excessive gaps, poor installation, or missing and damaged seals. Retrofit sealing solutions can address many of these issues quickly and effectively.

Can I replace fire door seals with any product?
No. Fire doors are only proven to perform as they were tested. Seals should always be replaced like-for-like with the type, size, and specification detailed in the fire test evidence. Using third-party certified products such as those approved by Certifire or BM TRADA Q-Mark helps ensure ongoing compliance.