How to Select Fire-Rated Doors That Protect Your Building and Meet Code

October 30, 2024

When it comes to fire-rated doors, there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of experience in the field: getting it wrong can be costly—both financially and in terms of safety. I’ve been through it all, from installing steel fire doors that weigh as much as a truck to explaining to tenants why a 90-minute-rated door is absolutely non-negotiable.

The content below will help you walk through the process of choosing the right fire-rated door for your building. After reading through the content, you’ll not only understand the differences between ratings and materials but also be able to confidently explain why you need a fire door that can resist burn-through for 120 minutes. Trust me, that’s a conversation you’ll want to win.

Understanding Fire Ratings: A No-Nonsense Breakdown

Fire-rated doors aren’t just a tick in a compliance box—they're designed to save lives. These ratings, which range from 20 to 120 minutes, reflect how long the door can withstand fire without letting it spread. Imagine having a steel door rated for 90 minutes standing between a fire and a packed office. That 90 minutes can mean the difference between safe evacuation and disaster.

You might think that a 20-minute door is "good enough,” but it’s all about where the door is and what it is protecting. It might work for a small office, but it’s not enough in high-traffic or high-risk buildings. Higher fire ratings mean the door can withstand more intense heat and flames for a longer period. These doors are not only designed to contain fire but also to resist temperature transfer.

For instance, a 90-minute fire-rated door can maintain a significantly lower temperature on the non-fire side compared to a 20-minute door, even when exposed to extreme heat. This temperature resistance is crucial in high-risk environments like hospitals or industrial facilities where preventing the spread of both fire and heat is essential for occupant safety and protecting sensitive equipment or materials.

The Materials Matter: Steel, Wood, and Glass Fire Doors

When you're choosing a fire-rated door, you’ve got three main options: steel, wood, and glass. Each has its pros and cons both in terms of fire safety and what works aesthetically for your building.

Steel Doors: These are the heavyweights of the fire-rated door world. If you’re after pure fire protection, steel is your go-to. It’s durable and can take the heat—literally. Steel doors are the most common in commercial applications, and they’ll give you peace of mind knowing they’ll stand up to fire for a longer period.

Wood Doors: Wood fire-rated doors can last up to 90 minutes in a fire. The trick lies in the fire-resistant materials used in the core of the door. Most of the fire-rated wood doors today have an engineered core designed to resist fire.

Glass Doors: If aesthetics are a priority, glass fire-rated doors offer visibility while maintaining fire resistance. These typically max out at around 60 minutes, so keep that in mind when balancing aesthetics and safety.

Fire Door Placement: Getting It Right the First Time

The intended use of your building will greatly influence the choice of fire-rated doors. You can imagine that the requirements are quite different in a mall or a residential building – the usage of the space will dictate the fire door’s rating. The more people and traffic, the higher the rating you’ll need.

For large areas like malls or hospitals, accordion fire doors or won-doors are great options. These doors can cover wide openings and still provide effective fire and smoke containment. They are particularly useful in high-traffic corridors or large open spaces where traditional swinging or sliding doors might not be practical. Installing accordion style doors/ Won-doors ensures that you're maximizing both accessibility and fire protection.

When we’re talking about fire doors in places like hospitals or malls, you have to think about how people are moving in and out. You need to make sure you’ve got the right fire-rated doors at the most critical access points. If a standard door were installed in a high-traffic corridor, it would be quickly flagged during a fire inspection.

Compliance with Fire Safety Codes: Navigating the Red Tape

Compliance might not be the most exciting topic, but it’s essential. Every fire-rated door has to meet certain standards laid out by the National Fire Protection Act (NFPA). And it’s not just about getting a door that can withstand fire—it’s about ensuring the doorframe, hardware, and installation are all up to code.

People often forget about annual inspections. Yes, fire doors need to be inspected regularly, especially in healthcare facilities. If your fire doors aren’t up to standard, you’re taking a serious risk, it is a situation that can’t be ignored.

In healthcare facilities, annual fire door inspections are a must. Common issues include missing fire labels, worn-out hardware, and gaps around the doors. If those gaps exceed the limits set by the NFPA, that’s a major problem. Fire doors are supposed to prevent not only fire but also smoke from spreading, and smoke is often the bigger killer in a fire.

Installation and Maintenance Costs: Spending Smart

Yes, fire-rated doors are more expensive than standard doors, but when you weigh the potential consequences of skimping on safety, it’s an easy decision.

I’ve seen maintenance managers try to cut costs by going for non-rated doors or substandard hardware, thinking they’ll save a few bucks. What they don’t realize is that when a building inspector comes around, those savings will disappear in fines or costly replacements.

Regular maintenance is also critical. Fire-rated doors take a beating, especially in high-traffic areas. Over time, hinges get loose, labels fall off, and the doors themselves get banged up. Staying on top of maintenance can prevent bigger issues down the line and keep your doors compliant with safety regulations.

Final Thoughts: Why Fire-Rated Doors Matter More Than You Think

Fire-rated doors aren’t just about checking a compliance box—they’re about saving lives. Whether you're managing a high-traffic mall or a quiet residential building, the safety of everyone inside depends on making the right choices when it comes to fire protection.

It’s worth taking the time to get it right the first time. After all, the last thing you want is to be scrambling during an inspection, or worse, during a fire.

When it comes to fire safety, I always say, “You don’t want to be the person who skimps on fire protection. Believe me, that never ends well.”

For more information on fire-rated doors and security solutions, visit our Fire & Security Door Solutions page.

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