Intumescent Protection - Buying Guide

Intumescent Protection: A Buyer's Guide


QUICK SUMMARY GUIDE (Full Buyers Guide below)


What is Intumescent Protection?
Material fitted around fire door ironmongery
What are the chances that I NEED to use it?
It is estimated that 98% of ALL ironmongery MUST include this material
What if I DON'T use it?
You could invalidate the fire certificate
Which types of product are available?
Material comes in two types (black and white), in thickness 0.5mm - 2.0mm
How do I know which I need? 
The fire certificate will tell you which MATERIAL type and material THICKNESS you need

Need more advice? We offer a FREE support service. Call us on 01305 457703 or email info@FireEssentials.co.uk for QUICK answers.


Read below for the full product buyers guide...

What is 'Intumescent Protection'?


Intumescent Protection (for Fire Doors) is thin, specially designed material pads that are fitted behind or around door hardware to protect the door in the event of a fire.


Which ironmongery door products usually require Intumescent Protection?

Usually (in MOST, but not all cases) you would need to fit Intumescent Protection with:

  • Hinges
  • Locks
  • Latches
  • Bolts
  • Door Viewers
  • Letter Plates
And ANY OTHER ironmongery that has been specified.

What types of Intumescent Protection material are there?


There are two main types of material.

  • Graphite based (dark grey/black in colour)
  • Mono Ammonium Phosphate or MAP (white in colour, sometimes called by the Brand name 'Interdens')

There are 4 main thickness of material.

  • 0.5mm - can be both graphite and MAP
  • 0.8mm - mostly found in graphite only
  • 1.0mm - can be found in both graphite and MAP (most commonly used in FD30 doors)
  • 2.0mm - can be found in both graphite and MAP (most commonly used in FD60 doors)

What is the difference between the materials?

Both graphite and MAP material perform the same function ie to fill the gaps created when you cut into a fire door or frame (to fit the ironmongery). In the event of a fire they EXPAND up to 20 times their original size to seal the gaps in the door and frame.

Where you have a CHOICE, the differences are.

  • Graphite material is smooth, non-fibrous and flexible (also easy to un-stick and re-apply)
  • MAP material is fibrous to touch and non-flexible (it normally snaps if you try and un-stick it)


Which type of material do I need to use?

This depends on the SPECIFICATION of your ironmongery or door. You will need to check the FIRE CERTIFICATE or specification details to find out which material has been tested with the ironmongery OR which material is specified by the door manufacturer.

How to BUY Intumescent Protection

Step 1

Ask your supplier if the product you want to buy REQUIRES Intumescent Protection but, BE WARNED, only 8%* of online sellers even mention Intumescent Protection in their fire door ironmongery descriptions.

If your supplier can not send you the relevant Fire Certificate or documents you can go direct to the MANUFACTURER who will supply you with documents and fitting instructions etc.

Step 2

Now you know the TYPE and THICKNESS of Intumescent Protection you need to buy you have two choices:

Pre-cut kits (these are shaped to your product and are quick and easy to 'peal and stick')
Sheet material (you can measure and cut out your own shapes, often a cheaper but more time consuming option)

Step 3 (Money Saving Tip!)

Getting products wrong on a fire door can be a dangerous and COSTLY mistake to make. Companies can be fined up to £400,000 for endangering life through inadequate fire safety measures.

RULE OF THUMB...if your supplier also sells lawn mowers then they are less likely to be well versed in matters of fire standards and safety.

We would ALWAYS RECOMMEND that you buy from passive fire protection specialists, you can be more confident of getting the right product and good advice from people who work with fire doors day in and day out.

Further Information & Support

Fire Essentials Ltd is part of the 'Catch The Killer' awareness campaign and we work with companies and installers EVERY DAY to help them get the right product for their fire doors.

We specialise in Intumescent Protection and work closely with teams that have developed and manufacture these products in the UK.

For further assistance please contact us:

Email our central team at info@FireEssentials.co.uk
Call our helpline on 01305 457703
Complete the online form and one of our team will get back to you (within 2 working hours)


'It is our job, to make YOUR JOB easier'