Fire Door Leaf / Lippings

Work through the relevant questions below to investigate door leaf construction, damaged or loose lippings, edge alterations, trimming, routing and repairability.

Important: A visible mark is evidence to record, not proof of its cause. A repair that looks sound is not automatically an approved repair. Do not cut, route, fill or replace material until the door and permitted method have been checked.

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1. Diagnose the damage

Start with the visible defect. Check whether lipping is loose, split, detached, crushed or missing, and whether the damage reaches the leaf core.

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2. Repair and replace lipping

Establish the original leaf construction and the evidence supporting the proposed repair before bonding, inserting or replacing material.

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3. Trimming, routing and binding

Investigate contact and clearances first. Do not assume planing or routing is permitted simply because the door rubs.

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4. Diagnose by damage location

The exact position narrows the investigation. Keep vertical side lipping separate from horizontal head or bottom-edge construction.

Damage at the bottom end of a side edge (draft for review)
Damage at the top end of a side edge (draft for review)
Damage around hinges, locks and latches (draft for review)
Damage during handling and installation
Moisture damage to lipping and edges (draft for review)

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5. Repairability and verification

Separate observed facts from suspected causes. Confirm the door identity and the evidence for any proposed remedial method.

Assess leaf damage before repair
Assess the significance of lipping damage
Record the condition before work and the result after any supported repair.

What to record before deciding

✓Door manufacturer, model and product identification, where available

✓Exact edge and location, with overall and close-up photographs

✓Approximate extent and whether core material is exposed or fractured

✓Signs of impact, abrasion, moisture, rubbing or previous alterations

✓Condition of nearby seals, hardware, frame and clearances where relevant

✓What is observed, what is only suspected and which evidence was checked

If the door construction or supported repair method cannot be verified, stop before altering the leaf and seek appropriate technical guidance. Following any supported work, check the relevant edge condition, seals, clearances and operation, and keep a record.

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Fire Door Leaf / Lippings

Jump to a section

1. Diagnose the damage

2. Repair and replace lipping

3. Trimming, routing and binding

4. Diagnose by damage location

5. Repairability and verification

What to record before deciding

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