Door Bolt FAQs - Your Questions Answered

Door bolts come in various forms and sizes. While our 30 Types of Door Bolt blog delves into the specifics of different door bolts, here we’ll address some frequently asked questions with straightforward answers.

Q: Do I need to use bolts on tall doors?

A: Although it’s not absolutely necessary, we highly recommend installing door bolts at the top and bottom of tall doors unless they already feature a multi-point espagnolette lock or cremone bolt.

Why? Bolts enhance security by adding extra locking points. They also help prevent warping or bowing by securing each door leaf firmly into the frame. Cranked or straight bolts on single or French doors can improve sealing—whether it's against drafts, the weather, or for privacy. Additionally, bolts can be installed on tall double doors to fix the secondary leaf in place, allowing the main leaf to operate freely.

Q: What are the parts of a door bolt called?

A: Regardless of the specific type of door bolt, most consist of three common components:

1. The shoot: This is the movable part.
2. The body or backplate: This is the stationary part.
3. The handle: This is the operating part.

Q: How many hinge bolts per door?

A: Security hinge bolts are typically sold in pairs. You should install one pair per door leaf. For instance, if you have a pair of outward-opening doors, you’d need to fit two pairs of hinge bolts.

Q: Can you bolt a fire door?

A: The short answer is yes, but it depends on the type of bolt and the fire door itself. For final exit or fire exit doors that must allow single-action egress, panic bolts can be installed. Panic hardware, such as panic bars or push pads, should be used on emergency exit doors.

For doors classified as Fire Door Keep Locked, fire-rated bolts like flush bolts can be installed in the edge of the second closing leaf of a pair of doors (with the appropriate intumescent kit). The primary leaf would be Fire Door Keep Shut and non-locking.

Single Fire Door Keep Locked doors can be secured with a CE/UKCA-marked deadbolt lock, such as a deadlock, sashlock, lever lock, cylinder lock, or a specialized Fire Brigade Lock. Always ensure proper intumescent ironmongery is installed.

Q: Can you fit a security bolt on a fire door?

A: If you're referring to a mortice door bolt, the answer is no—you cannot install a rack bolt on a fire door. These types of bolts are neither CE/UKCA-marked nor tested for fire-rated doors.

As mentioned earlier, certain other types of bolts can be installed on fire doors that remain locked, but not a mortice security door bolt.

Q: Can you use a drop bolt on a fire door?

A: Bolts like a drop garage bolt cannot be installed on a fire-rated door. These types of bolts are not CE/UKCA-marked or tested for fire-rated doors.

If you need to keep a fire door open, consider using products such as a Dorgard, Dorgard SmartSound, or UNION DoorSense fire door retainer instead of a drop door bolt. Ensure compliance with hardware solutions that allow the door to close automatically during a fire.

If your goal is to lock or keep a fire door closed, compliant solutions like door closers or access control systems can be utilized. Contact our team today to discuss your project or facility needs.

Q: Can you put a bolt on a UPVC door?

A: Absolutely! Various specialist bolts are available for UPVC doors, including concealed shoot bolts and surface-mounted door bolts.