| Complete fire door assembly |
The door, frame, seals, glazing, and hardware should be tested or assessed as a compatible assembly. Fire performance is not normally transferable between unrelated components. |
EN 1634-1 and EN 13501-2 in many European projects; NFPA 252 or UL 10C-based methods in North American projects; AS 1530.4 in Australia. |
Full test report, classification report, field of application, installation instructions, and product traceability records. |
Confirm the required rating, exposure direction, door size, number of leaves, mounting condition, and permitted hardware before ordering. |
| Door leaf and facing material |
Steel, timber, mineral-based, or composite door leaves must retain structural integrity and limit the passage of flames and, where required, heat for the specified period. |
European classifications commonly use E and EI ratings; North American assemblies are commonly rated by minutes; Australian projects commonly reference integrity and insulation performance. |
Fire test report, product construction specification, thickness range, density information where applicable, and permitted manufacturing tolerances. |
Changing the face sheet, thickness, edge construction, or internal reinforcement can invalidate the original fire rating. |
| Core or fire-resistant infill |
The core must control heat transfer and support the door leaf during fire exposure. Typical materials include mineral-based boards, calcium silicate, vermiculite-based boards, or tested timber-based constructions. |
Performance is normally demonstrated through the complete door assembly test rather than through a core material certificate alone. |
Core material specification, reaction-to-fire information where relevant, moisture limits, density range, and assembly test evidence. |
Do not substitute a core solely because it has a similar nominal fire-resistance claim; thickness, density, bonding, and edge details affect performance. |
| Door frame |
The frame must remain stable and provide an appropriate barrier around the leaf. Steel, stainless steel, timber, and composite frames require assembly-specific evidence. |
EN 1634-1, NFPA 252, UL 10C-based testing, or AS 1530.4, depending on the destination market. |
Frame profile drawings, material grade, anchorage details, wall construction limits, clearance requirements, and test evidence. |
Wall type, frame depth, fixing method, anchor spacing, and frame-to-wall gap must match the approved installation conditions. |
| Intumescent and smoke seals |
Intumescent seals expand when heated to protect gaps. Smoke seals limit the passage of cold smoke and may be required in addition to intumescent products. |
EN 1634-1 for fire-resistance testing; smoke-control performance may be assessed under EN 1634-3 or applicable local requirements. |
Seal type, dimensions, location, temperature or expansion data, compatibility statement, and installation instructions. |
Seal size, groove location, joint condition, and continuity are critical. Painting, cutting, or replacing seals may affect compliance. |
| Hinges and pivots |
Hinges or pivots must support the tested door mass and maintain reliable closing and alignment under fire conditions. |
Hardware should be included in the fire-tested or approved door assembly; EN 1935 is commonly used for building hardware classification in Europe. |
Hardware classification, load capacity, material specification, fixing details, and compatibility with the tested assembly. |
Use the tested quantity, size, grade, and fixing pattern. Standard non-rated hinges may not be suitable for a fire door. |
| Door closer and closing device |
Self-closing fire doors generally require a reliable closing device unless an approved hold-open or release system is provided. |
EN 1154 for controlled door-closing devices; hold-open and release systems may be assessed under EN 1155 or local fire-control requirements. |
Closer classification, power size, installation position, release-system details, and maintenance instructions. |
The door should close fully from any permitted opening position. Electromagnetic hold-open devices must release upon fire-alarm activation or power failure where required. |
| Lock, latch, strike, and exit hardware |
Latching hardware must maintain the door in the closed position without preventing required emergency escape. Panic or emergency-exit hardware may be required on escape routes. |
EN 12209 for mechanically operated locks; EN 1125 for panic exit devices; EN 179 for emergency exit devices, where applicable. |
Hardware certification, fire-test inclusion, latch projection, strike details, escape-route suitability, and installation instructions. |
Lever handles, cylinders, access-control devices, and electric strikes must be specifically approved for use with the rated assembly. |
| Fire-resistant glazing and vision panels |
Glazing must provide the required integrity and, where specified, insulation for the same exposure period as the door assembly. |
EN 1634-1 for door-set testing; EN 13501-2 for classification; glass products may also require separate product and safety-glazing assessments. |
Glass make-up, thickness, maximum panel size, glazing system, bead profile, setting blocks, sealant data, and test evidence. |
Glass cannot normally be enlarged or replaced with ordinary wired, laminated, or tempered glass without new evidence for the complete assembly. |
| Vision-panel frame, beads, and glazing seals |
The retaining frame, beads, gaskets, and sealants must keep the fire-resistant glass securely in place during testing and service. |
Must be covered by the relevant door or glazing assembly test and installation scope. |
Approved glazing detail, bead material, sealant specification, fixing method, and maximum permitted dimensions. |
Use only the approved orientation and fixing arrangement. Incorrect beads or ordinary silicone can compromise the fire rating. |
| Threshold, drop seal, and floor gap treatment |
Bottom gaps must remain within the tested limits. Where smoke, acoustic, accessibility, or weather performance is also required, a compatible threshold or automatic drop seal may be specified. |
Assembly-specific fire testing; accessibility requirements may be governed separately by local building or access regulations. |
Maximum undercut, threshold profile, drop-seal details, floor interface requirements, and installation tolerances. |
Do not trim the door beyond the tested allowance. Floor finishes and uneven thresholds can prevent full closure or create excessive gaps. |
| Fixings, anchors, and wall interface |
Fixings must maintain the frame in position during fire exposure and be suitable for the supporting wall construction. |
Covered by the door-set test, field-of-application rules, and local installation requirements. |
Anchor type, spacing, embedment, packer material, frame-to-wall gap treatment, and approved wall constructions. |
Concrete, masonry, steel stud, and timber walls may require different fixing systems. Ordinary combustible packing materials may be prohibited. |
| Surface coatings, laminates, and decorative finishes |
Finishes must not adversely affect fire performance, smoke sealing, closing action, or required reaction-to-fire performance. |
Reaction-to-fire classification may be required under EN 13501-1 or an equivalent local system, in addition to the door assembly test. |
Finish type, coating thickness, substrate specification, reaction-to-fire classification where required, and approved application method. |
Field-applied coatings, decorative films, and thick laminates should be checked against the tested construction and manufacturer instructions. |
| Electrical and access-control accessories |
Electric locks, card readers, sensors, exit buttons, door contacts, and transfer devices must preserve closing, latching, escape, and fire-alarm functions. |
Applicable fire-door assembly evidence plus local electrical, access, emergency-exit, and fire-alarm requirements. |
Wiring diagrams, fail-safe or fail-secure behavior, fire-alarm interface, battery or power-loss behavior, and approved installation details. |
Any device that holds, delays, unlocks, or obstructs the door must be coordinated with the fire strategy and emergency egress design. |
| Identification label and traceability |
Rated doors should be identifiable by a permanent label, marking, or traceable documentation showing the applicable rating and manufacturing information. |
Format varies by jurisdiction; European projects may require classification and conformity documentation, while North American projects commonly require listed or labeled assemblies. |
Permanent label or marking, serial or batch reference, rating, test basis, installation date, and conformity or listing documents. |
Labels should remain visible after installation and must correspond to the supplied leaf, frame, glazing, and hardware configuration. |
| Installation, inspection, and maintenance records |
Correct installation and ongoing maintenance are essential because fire performance depends on clearances, seals, hardware, closing action, and damage-free construction. |
Local building regulations, fire-safety codes, inspection schemes, and the door assembly manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. |
Installation checklist, commissioning record, inspection schedule, repair limits, replacement-part list, and maintenance log. |
Global buyers should define who is responsible for site installation, inspection, periodic testing, and approval by the authority having jurisdiction. |
