FAQ’s

1. How are fire rated doors tested?

Fire rated doors are tested under strict conditions in accredited third-party fire test centres such as UKAS-approved laboratories. The testing process replicates real-life fire situations to assess how long the fire rated door can hold back flames, smoke, and heat.

During the test, the fire rated door is installed exactly as it would be in a building, including the door frame, glazing (if applicable), seals, and fixings. The door is then exposed to intense fire conditions, where temperatures quickly rise above 900°C. The door is monitored to see how long it maintains integrity (stopping the transfer of flames and smoke from one side to another) and insulation (blocking heat transfer from one side to another).

2. What makes a door ‘fire rated’?

A door is classified as a fire rated door when it has been successfully tested and certified to resist fire for a specified time period. This is not just about using fire-resistant materials, the entire fire rated door set (door leaf, frame, ironmongery and seals) must work together as a system.

Key elements that make a fire rated door include:
– Fire resistant core: Usually made of solid timber.
– Intumescent seals: Expand under heat to seal gaps around the door.
– Fire-rated glass (if glazed): Special glass designed to maintain integrity under heat.
– Approved hardware: Hinges, closers, and locks tested for fire resistance.

Our fire rated doors, ranging from FR30/0 to FD60, combine all these components into a system that is tested, certified, and ready to provide reliable fire protection, without compromising on design and aesthetics.

3. Why is certification and supplying fire rated doors ‘as tested’ so important?

Certification is the backbone of any fire rated door. Once a fire rated door is tested, the certification and the field of application clearly defines exactly how it can be used and installed.

For fire rated doors to work properly in a fire, they must be supplied and installed exactly as tested. Swapping out glass, seals, or hardware or altering frame details invalidates the certification and could put lives at risk.

All of our fire rated doors are certified through KIWA IFC (International Fire Consultants) and tested at 3rd party UKAS-approved test houses. Full certification is available on our website with no sign-in needed, and our expert team is always available to guide you on correct specification and installation.

4. How do fire ratings work for fire rated doors?

Fire ratings for fire rated doors are usually written as FR30/0, FR30/30, FR60/60, and so on. These ratings result from full-scale fire tests conducted at accredited test centres. The numbers represent how many minutes the fire rated door resists fire: the first number is integrity (E), how long flames and smoke are stopped, and the second number is insulation (EI), how long heat transfer is blocked.

For example:
– FR30/0 = 30 minutes integrity, no insulation
– FR30/30 = 30 minutes integrity + 30 minutes insulation
– FR60/60 = 60 minutes integrity + 60 minutes insulation

In the UK, fire ratings are also commonly written as FD (e.g., FD30, FD60), especially for timber fire doors used in residential and commercial buildings. The FD rating indicates how long the door provides integrity performance only — stopping flames and smoke, but without guaranteed insulation against heat.

For example:
– FD30 = 30 minutes integrity
– FD60 = 60 minutes integrity

Our fire rated doors are fully certified by IFC and other third-party bodies. By following the certified details and using the door exactly as tested, you can be confident in full compliance and reliable performance when safety matters most.