Correct.

Fire doors must be self closing and self latching. A deadbolt can be left with the bolt protruding while it is open, and this will stop the door from self latching. Deadbolts cannot be used as a primary lock on fire doors. After removal, it may be necessary to replace the door as once the deadbolt is removed, there will be a large hole in the door, which might not be repairable.

In residential situations, it is allowable to fit a 2^nd self latching lock for security, such as a Lockwood 002, provided it has been tested by the manufacturer of the fire door.

Clause D2.23 of the BCA requires certain doors to be fitted with signs, to alert persons that the operation of these doors must not be impaired. This includes Smoke doors, exit doors, fire doors leading to a required exit, and fire doors in a horizontal exit. Signs must be readily visible and permanently fixed on or adjacent to the doors. Wording on signs is as follows.

For doors held open with an automatic hold open device.

“FIRE SAFETY DOOR – DO NOT OBSTRUCT”

For self closing doors.

“FIRE SAFETY DOOR DO NOT OBSTRUCT DO NOT KEEP OPEN”

For doors discharging from a fire isolated exit.

“FIRE SAFETY DOOR – DO NOT OBSTRUCT”

The BCA defines a horizontal exit as:
 “a required doorway between 2 parts of a building separated from each other by a fire wall”.

A plant room or switch room with fire doors as an entry or exit, would require signage.

AS1905.1 is the Australian standard for fire doors, which requires the gap between the door and the frame, on both sides and at the top, to be no more than 3mm. The gap between the bottom of the door and the finished floor, must be between 3mm and 10mm.

If doors have been faulted because of the gap under the door exceeds 10mm, it is worth checking with the manufacturer, as many have tested fire doors larger gaps, and are therefore still compliant.

For excessive gaps between the door and the frame, there are upgrade seals available, such as the Kilargo HP4002, which can be fitted, and will bring the doors up to standard, but this only works if the gap is less than 6mm.

While the doors are still in good physical condition, and operating correctly as per the required standard, there is no need to have them replaced. They pose no health and safety threat.

If the doors are in poor condition, or have hardware that is broken or not working, they should be replaced. This would require new doors, and new hardware to be fitted, as the old hardware cannot be removed from the doors.

AS1851 requires all essential service items to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. This includes fire doors, fire rated access panels and smoke doors. Frequency of these inspections is usually nominated on the Certificate of Occupancy for the building.

With the release of the Building Amendment Regulations 2016, S.R. No. 33/2016, building owners are now able to carry out essential service inspections to AS1851-2012, regardless of the requirement set out in the Certificate of Occupancy. For hinged fire doors and smoke doors, the requirement is 6 monthly, sliding fire doors it is quarterly and access panels are annually. Exit doors are not mentioned in AS1851, but are listed on a buildings occupancy permit, certificate of final inspection, or maintenace schedule, and   are to be  inspected quarterly,  as per the Victorian Building Authorities Essential Services Maintenance Manual.

Fire doors manufactured by MFD do not require seals as part of the compliance with AS1905.1 They are an optional extra. They may be necessary depending on the building surveyor or fire engineer’s requirements, or can be fitted to satisfy customer requirements. IE: To keep out dust or to cut down noise transmission through the doors. Like any other hardware item, seals must have been tested by the door manufacturer.

Any lock/latch, or any other hardware item fitted to a fire door, must have been tested, by the manufacturer of the fire door. Purchasing any hardware item from the local hardware store and fitting it to a fire, may render the door non compliant, as there is a very good chance it will not be fire rated hardware. Depending on what the item is, when it is removed, it may mean the hole or holes in the door cannot be repaired, and the door might have to be replaced.

Before fitting any extra hardware, it is worth checking with the door manufacturer to see if what you want to use, is legal on their doors.

The BCA nominates smoke doors as a “deemed to comply” item as follows.

“Smoke doors must be constructed so that smoke will not pass from one side of the doorway to the other and, if they are glazed, there is minimal danger of a person being injured by accidentally walking into them.”

Leaves are normally closed, and doors must return to the fully closed position after each manual opening.

The BCA does not ask for smoke doors to latch in the closed position.