Fred Duncombe is an independent information portal for anyone in the UK working with, specifying or maintaining door hardware and fire exit devices. We explain how these products work, what the regulations require, and how to choose the right solution for your building.
What you'll find here
The portal covers the practical questions that architects, facilities managers, fire safety officers and building owners ask when they're selecting or upgrading door hardware. How do you meet fire safety requirements without blocking a daily-use exit? What's the difference between a panic bar and an emergency exit device? When does a door need both a closer and a hold-open mechanism? Each guide takes one question and answers it in plain language, with the reasoning behind the regulations explained.
Know what your building needs
Readers come to the site at different stages. Some are specifying hardware for a new build and need to understand British Standards before they write the tender. Others are responsible for an older building where a fire risk assessment has flagged exit routes that don't meet current expectations. A few are comparing quotes and want to know whether the cheaper option will actually do the job. Whatever brings you here, the guides are written to help you make an informed choice rather than guess.
How we build a guide
Each article starts with the questions people search for. We check the facts against publicly available sources—British Standards, government guidance, manufacturer technical sheets—and write the answer in a way that doesn't assume you've memorised the regulations. When a standard changes or new guidance is published, the relevant pages are updated. No single guide tries to cover everything; each one solves a specific problem.
What we don't do
Fred Duncombe does not offer design services, site surveys, installation or personal consultancy. We publish information only. The site carries no sponsored content and no affiliate arrangements with manufacturers or suppliers, so no product appears here because someone paid for the placement. If a guide recommends checking with a fire safety consultant or a chartered surveyor, that's because the question is outside the scope of general guidance—not because we want to avoid giving a straight answer.
Get in touch
Write to us at [email protected] with questions about door hardware, suggestions for topics we haven't covered yet, or corrections if you've spotted something that needs updating. We reply within 48 hours. The portal is here to make this subject clearer, and reader feedback helps us see where the gaps are.
Disclaimer: This site is for general information only. Fred Duncombe does not sell goods or services, and the guidance published here does not replace advice from a qualified professional where your project requires it.