Choosing the Right Fire Door for Every Project: A Guide for Project Managers

Any building project requires a thorough understanding of building regulations and fire safety. This means knowing whether fire doors are required, and which ones. So, to explain further Fire Door Specialists have put together a practical guide for all project managers to help them understand how to choose the right fire door, to ensure they are fully compliant and have the most effective levels of protection.

Fire door ratings

Fire doors come with a rating to demonstrate how long they are capable of withstanding exposure to fire and smoke. These ratings range from 30 to 120 minutes, meaning a 30-minute rating is ideal for low-risk areas, whilst higher-rated doors tend to be used for stairwells, high-risk zones, and areas that require maximum protection.

Building types

The type of building that you are putting together will determine which fire-rated door you need. For example, hospitals and schools will require high-rated doors as they need to protect vulnerable individuals who may not be able to evacuate the building as quickly as others. Hotels and residential complexes require doors that can balance safety and aesthetic appeal, whereas factories and warehouses will benefit from industrial-grade fire shutters or steel doors to offer the most robust protection.

Fire door materials

Fire doors can be made from a variety of robust, fire-resistant materials. Timber fire doors are often used for FD30 and FD60 ratings and are made from hardwood, softwood, or composite cores, which are then surrounded by fire-resistant panels. They tend to be used in residential and commercial settings and are best suited as internal doors that separate high-risk areas.

Some fire doors can be built with a steel skin and then filled with a fire-resistant core to offer more robust protection than timber equivalents. This is why they tend to be rated FD60 or higher and are mostly used in industrial settings, warehouses, and areas that need high-security fire protection.

Glass fire doors use fire-resistant glazing to provide visibility without compromising on safety. These tend to be FD30 or FD60 rated and are typically found in commercial buildings, offices, and corridors where visibility is necessary.

Types of fire door

Internal fire doors have been designed to compartmentalise fire within certain parts of a building and are most commonly used in hallways, communal spaces, or between rooms. It is essential that they are self-closing, remain shut at all times, and match your interior aesthetic without compromising on safety. Doors that are FD30 or FD60 rated are standard for internal use.

External fire doors tend to be made with reinforced glass and self-closing mechanisms. These must provide safe building egress and be able to withstand exposure to weather and external threats. It is also important that they remain unlocked or are fitted with a push bar system for quick escape, making them ideal for commercial buildings where emergency exits are critical.

Communal fire doors and screens are preferred in multi-occupancy buildings like flats, schools, or nursing homes as they can break up long corridors to limit the spread of fire. They are usually double doors with glass panels and can be automated to close during a fire alarm.

Steel-reinforced fire doors are used in properties which store valuable inventory, use high-powered equipment, or are in high-crime areas. These not only resist wear and extreme weather but also offer hygiene suitability for medical and food-grade environments and have extended fire resistance of 3–4 hours.

Fire doors are a critical part of your fire protection strategy, so whether you are designing a new building or upgrading an existing one, it is important that you select and maintain the right door for your project.