What Is a Fire-Rated Door and Do You Need One?

Fire rated doors (also known as fire doors) are specially engineered to withstand and prevent fire from spreading. So, if a fire breaks out, these doors will survive longer than ordinary doors. But what are fire rated doors used for, and do you need one for your property? 

In this guide, we’ll discuss:

• What is a fire door
• What makes them resistant to fire
• Where they’re required
• How much they cost 
• And where to get one for your property

Should fire doors be part of your property’s safety plan? Let’s find out!

What Are Fire Rated Doors?

As mentioned, fire rated doors are specialized doors engineered to withstand fire exposure for a designated period, typically ranging from 20 minutes to three hours. While they’re not completely fireproof, they’re a reliable barrier for their designated fire rating. 

Their main purpose is to contain flames, smoke, and toxic gases within a specific area for a limited time. This containment serves two functions:

1. Slow the spread of fire to reduce property damage to give firefighters and first responders more time to respond
2. Keep exit routes clear of smoke and flames long enough for occupants to evacuate safely

Image Source: Shutterstock

What Makes a Door Fire Resistant?

A door becomes fire-resistant through specialized construction techniques and materials. Fire rated door assemblies undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet strict safety standards, so the manufacturer can’t simply claim their door is fire rated without proper certification.

Let’s take a look at what gives doors fire resistance:

1. Fire-Resistant Materials

What a fire rated door has a huge impact on how well it can stand up to high temperatures and combustion. That’s why fire doors are usually made of materials with excellent fire resistance, like:

• • Steel: Steel doors are the most common choice, because they’re non-combustible and won’t feed a fire under any circumstances. These doors are often “hollow”, with the space between the steel door faces filled with insulating materials to slow down heat transfer.
    
  • Treated wood: Wood is a popular option for residential settings or areas where aesthetics are important. They’re usually reinforced with fire-resistant cores, such as gypsum or vermiculite boards.

2. Sealing Systems

A fire resistant door relies on advanced sealing systems to block smoke and flames. Without a proper seal, even the most robust fire rated door cannot effectively contain a fire or prevent smoke from spreading.

Different kinds of seals are used in a fire door assembly, but the go-to is intumescent strips and smoke seals, often used together. Intumescent strips are fitted around the edges of the door and expand when exposed to heat, sealing any gaps to block fire and smoke. Smoke seals, on the other hand, are designed to prevent smoke from leaking through the cracks at room temperature.

Some fire rated doors also use drop-down seals (a.k.a. automatic threshold seals). These are installed at the bottom of the door and automatically deploy when the door is closed, creating a tight seal against the floor.

3. Self-Closing Hardware

All fire doors must include hardware that ensures the door closes automatically after use. Otherwise, they can’t slow down the spread of fire and smoke. Common fire rated door hardware includes the following:

• Self-closing or self-latching door closers
• Steel ball-bearing hinges 
• Fire-rated latches and locks
• Fire-rated glass panels 
• Hold-open devices (equipped in areas where doors need to stay open for accessibility but must close during a fire)

Every component of a fire door assembly must be fire-rated to maintain the door’s overall rating. In Canada, all hardware used in fire doors must be “listed” and meet specific standards to ensure reliability during a fire emergency.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Fire Door Rating Explained

All of the above answers the question “What are fire doors?” but what about fire ratings? To completely understand how fire doors work, let’s dissect what fire ratings mean. 

Fire door ratings indicate how long a door can withstand fire and heat while remaining intact. They’re expressed in minutes or hours (i.e. 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes). These ratings are certified by authorized testing facilities after subjecting the door to extreme fire test conditions as outlined by standards like the National Building Code of Canada’s Standard Method for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies (CAN/ULC S104). 

This test has two parts: the fire endurance test and the hose stream test. 

• The door assembly, including the door, frame, hardware, and glazing materials, is exposed to specified temperatures for a designated time.
• Then, it’s hosed down with water to determine how well it withstands cooling and potential erosion effects.

If a door has a designated fire rating of 60 minutes, it can endure exposure to extreme temperatures for that long before falling apart. The same goes for other fire ratings.

Pro tip: These labels are typically found on the hinge edge of both the door and the door frame. Never paint over or remove these labels, as they prove the door’s compliance with safety standards.

Where are Fire Rated Doors Required?

In Canada, fire rated doors are typically only required for buildings (both commercial or residential) and not for houses. This, however, does not mean that fire rated doors are useless in a home.

Fire Rated Doors for a House

Though not typically required, a fire rated door in a home can contain fire in areas prone to house fire. Homeowners can place a fire door in the kitchen, basement, or rooms where electrical devices are kept. 

Having fire rated exterior doors is an added measure of safety to ensure that you’ll have intact exits in case of a house fire. 

Fire Rated Doors for a Building

Fire rated doors are typically required for buildings that serve as public buildings, office spaces, apartments, dormitories, multi-family homes, and the like. For any kind of building, the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code outline fire door requirements for the following:

• Fire exits/building exits
• Corridor doors
• Laundry room doors
• Garbage room doors

Note: Always consult local building codes to determine the specific requirements for your property.

How Much Do Fire Rated Doors Cost?

The cost of fire rated doors varies based on material, size, rating, and design features, but they usually range from $400 to $900 or more. Higher ratings generally cost more due to advanced materials and construction. Professional installation can also add to the expense. 

Protect Your Home with Fire Rated Doors from Burano Doors

Knowing what are fire rated doors for and getting one for your property helps protect it against fire while combining safety with style. 

At Burano Doors, we’ve been crafting 100% Canadian-made, high-quality doors and windows for over four decades. Our steel doors are built with the highest quality materials, right down to the hardware—and because we manufacture them ourselves, we offer them at factory-direct prices without compromising quality. 

With our professional installation, exceptional customer service, and customization options, you have a winning combination for peace of mind and lasting value. Get in touch with Burano today!