Rank: Forum user 
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Hi,
I am struggling to find any specific guidance on how a given latch on a fire door is to be specified.
For example, the fire doors in our building are of three types; sash and latch, like you would have at home but a commercial version, ball bearing latches with a D handle, or a D handle with no latch at all.
All the above seem to be perfectly fine, but recent door maintenance has caused a bit of a stir. A pair of doors have been repaired so that the handle now latches so to open the door you have to press the handle down. This is hardly an arduous task but they are complaining.
a search of the internet simply shows that if a latch is fitted, it must work and latch the door closed, but whats to stop me removing the latch and repairing the door?
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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As no-one else seems to have commented so far, I'll start the ball rolling.
For starters, the integrity of the door could be compromised. Removing the latch will leave a hole in the door. How will you fill this so that the integrity of the door is reinstated to the correct rating?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Super forum user 
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If you remove the latch you won't need to worry about the hole you've left in the door or filling that to maintain the integrety etc, as you've just made the whole point of the fire door useless as something to compartmentalise a building and prevent to spread of fire, smoke and hot gasses.
A latch is there to hold the door leaf in the closed position, something which a roller or ball catch won't do in a fire.
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Rank: Super forum user
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MaxPayne wrote:If you remove the latch you won't need to worry about the hole you've left in the door or filling that to maintain the integrety etc, as you've just made the whole point of the fire door useless as something to compartmentalise a building and prevent to spread of fire, smoke and hot gasses.
A latch is there to hold the door leaf in the closed position, something which a roller or ball catch won't do in a fire. Not strictly true there. I have several fire doors throughout various buildings on our estate that do not have a latch. Provided they have intumescent strips/ smoke seals and a decent self closer unit, why is it explicit that they have a latch?
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Rank: New forum user
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We were asked last year to have those fire doors without working latches repaired. After all the discussions about inconvenience and roller ball catches, the fire safety officer pointed out that a fire door without a working latch could be opened by differential air pressure and allow transfer of smoke/oxygen.
The latches are now working.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Johno
Slightly different opinion / issue to consider. Any fire door is really a combination of parts, the frame, hinges, glass (vision panel) and ironmongery (which would include your latch's). These are designed to work in combination so the door acts as designed in a fire. Changing a latch might undermine the overall effectiveness of the door. The most up to date guidance requires all fire doors to be fitted with self closing mechanisms irrespective of any latch.
Just something to consider.
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Rank: Forum user
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Sorry for the delay in my response.
We have a number of fire doors, both 30 and 60 minute that have either latches, or just handles with no latches. All have door closers and suitable door furniture.
The problem is that I cant find guidance about whether a fire door needs a latch or not, the only guidance states that a latch must work if fited.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Try the building regulations Part B, fire safety or BS. 9999, The building regs are free.
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