Fire resistant doors are made to slow or prevent fire and smoke spread. They are not fireproof but can withstand high heat and flame for a set time. They must meet strict regulations, including being installed in fire-resistant walls and labeled for classification. The frame and hardware must also be tested and labeled, and intumescent seals are often required. Fire doors are typically installed in interior openings and made of wood, aluminum, or steel with a fire-resistant core.
A fire resistant door is purpose built to slow or prevent the spread of fire and smoke. These doors are not designed to be completely fireproof and are actually made from combustible materials. While they will eventually burn in a fire, they will withstand high levels of heat and flame to slow the fire for a set amount of time. By keeping the fire contained, fire doors can allow multiple occupants to safely exit the building during an emergency. They can also help protect property and assets as firefighters work to put out the flames.
To ensure that these doors function as intended, fire doors are tightly regulated by independent governing bodies. In the United States, these doors must be built, tested, and installed to standards created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Similar standards are set by the British Woodworking Federation in the UK and other governing bodies around the world. Locally, a fire resistant door may also be subject to inspection and approval by the authority in that jurisdiction, often the fire marshal or building inspector.
These doors are installed in fire resistant walls. The wall must first be rated on the amount of time it is designed to prevent the spread of a fire. For example, a two-hour wall will contain flames and smoke while resisting burning for a full two hours. A door must have a fire resistance equal to three quarters of the resistance of the wall. For example, a fire resistant door installed in a two hour wall will have a 90 minute rating.
Fire doors are typically only installed within interior openings of a building. They are used in exterior walls only when the building is in very close proximity to another structure, or near the property line or roadway. A fire resistant door is useless unless it is installed in a fire opening. If the wall is not designed to withstand fire, the door will fail quickly.
The doors used in fire walls can be constructed of wood, aluminum or steel. They usually have a fire resistant core made of plaster or a similar mineral-based product. All fire resistant doors must have a label or marking system indicating the classification of the door. In the United States, this tag may be mechanically affixed or stamped into the door. Although the UK and Europe also use labels, you are more likely to find colored pins embedded in the edge of the door to indicate fire resistance.
The frame and hardware used with a fire resistant door must also be tested and labeled for use in the event of a fire. Most modern fire door codes also require the use of intumescent seals. These gaskets automatically expand when exposed to high temperatures to help seal the space around the door. The doors must also be self-closing and self-locking and may not be held open by any mechanical door catches or other devices.
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