Types of Fire Doors

Contents

1. How Fire Doors Are Categorised
2. Fire Door Ratings
3. Fire Doorset vs. Fire Door Assembly
4. Materials
5. Configuration
6. Fire Doors with Glass
7. Components
8. Location and Use
9. How to Choose the Right Fire Doors for Your Building
10. Need Support with Your Fire Doors?

Fire doors are one of the most important passive fire protection measures in any building. Yet, despite their critical role, they’re often misunderstood – particularly when it comes to the different types available and how they should be specified.

In fact, a survey by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme found that 75% of fire doors in the UK fail to meet the required standard. This highlights a wider issue: fire doors are not simple, standalone products, but complex systems where small differences in specification, installation or maintenance can have a significant impact.

When people discuss types of fire doors, they’re often referring to a single category: the fire rating. But, fire doors are defined by a combination of factors – including their fire rating, materials, configuration, glazing and components – all of which contribute to how they perform in practice.

In this guide, we’ll break down some of the key factors that differentiate fire doors, helping you understand the options available and what those differences mean for your building.

How Fire Doors Are Categorised

In the UK, fire doors are not formally categorised into distinct “types” in the way people might expect. From a regulatory and standards perspective, the most important and widely recognised classification is the fire resistance rating of the complete door assembly or doorset, as determined through fire testing.

This rating – such as FD30 or FD60 – reflects how long the door is capable of resisting fire under test conditions, and is the primary way fire doors are specified within building design and fire safety strategies.

Beyond this, the term “type” is often used more informally. In practice, fire doors vary in a number of ways, including their materials, configuration and components. These features are not usually separate classifications in their own right, but they do influence how a fire door performs and where it may be appropriate to use.

As a result, when discussing different “types” of fire doors, it’s usually more accurate to think in terms of combinations of features rather than fixed categories. The right specification will always depend on the building, its layout and any relevant fire safety considerations.

Fire Door Ratings

In the UK, fire door ratings are the primary and most formally recognised way of classifying fire doors. These ratings are defined through fire resistance testing, typically in accordance with standards such as BS EN 1634-1 (latest standard) or BS 476-22 (withdrawal scheduled for September 2029), and are referenced within Approved Document B of the Building Regulations.

A fire door’s rating indicates the minimum period that the complete door assembly or doorset is capable of resisting fire under controlled test conditions. This is expressed in minutes and forms the basis for how fire doors are specified within a risk assessment or fire safety strategy.

• FD30
  FD30 fire doors are designed to provide 30 minutes of fire resistance under test conditions. They are commonly used in residential settings, including houses and flats, as well as in smaller commercial buildings.
  
  

• FD60
  FD60 fire doors provide 60 minutes of fire resistance and are commonly used in larger or higher-risk buildings, where longer protection is required to support safe evacuation and compartmentation.
  
  

• FD90, FD120 and FD240
  Higher-rated fire doors, such as FD90, FD120 and FD240, offer extended periods of fire resistance and are generally specified in more demanding environments, including commercial, industrial or specialist settings.

The ‘S’ Suffix (e.g. FD30S)

You may also see fire door ratings followed by an “S” suffix, such as FD30S. This indicates that the door is intended to provide smoke control in addition to fire resistance.

In practice, this typically means the inclusion of smoke seals designed to limit the passage of cold smoke at ambient temperatures. As with fire resistance, the effectiveness of smoke control depends on the complete door assembly and its correct installation.

Fire Doorset vs. Fire Door Assembly

Fire doors are not single products – they are systems made up of multiple components working together. In practice, they are typically specified and installed in one of two ways: as a fire doorset or a fire door assembly.

• A fire doorset is supplied as a complete, factory-prepared unit. This usually includes the door leaf, frame, seals, glazing and essential hardware, all designed and tested together as a single system. Because the components are matched and controlled by one manufacturer, doorsets can offer greater consistency and reduce the risk of incompatibility on site. For this reason, they are often preferred in new-build projects or where a higher level of assurance is required.

• A fire door assembly, by contrast, is constructed from individual components, which may be sourced separately. This approach can offer greater flexibility, particularly in refurbishment projects or where existing frames are retained. However, it also requires careful specification and installation, as the complete arrangement must still be supported by appropriate fire test evidence or assessment.

In both cases, it’s important to understand that a fire door’s performance depends on the complete system, not just the door leaf or individual components. Even where products are individually certified, they must be used in combinations that reflect tested or assessed configurations.

Since the March 2026 update to BS 8214, there is also a stronger emphasis on ensuring that fire doorsets and assemblies are supported by suitable evidence demonstrating that all components are compatible and capable of working together to achieve the declared fire resistance period.

For new installations, this is already common practice for qualified installers, as manufacturer installation instructions, field of application (FOA) reports and test evidence from certifiers like Warrington Fire are readily available.

However, this can present more of a challenge when maintaining existing door sets and assemblies as, particularly for older doors, the manufacturer may be unknown, the reports unavailable or the test evidence lost.

In these situations, “like-for-like” replacement components – using the same manufacturer, size and material – are often acceptable. Where this is not possible, any replacement should be supported by appropriate evidence to demonstrate compatibility with the existing door.

Again, a fire-resisting doorset or assembly should always be treated as a complete system. Even small changes to individual components can have a significant impact on how the door performs in a fire.

Materials

There are several different materials used in fire door construction, each with its own strengths, limitations and typical use cases. In the UK, the most common options you’re likely to come across are timber, steel, composite and glazed systems.

Timber

Timber fire doors are probably the most common option in the UK (though these often use a composite core), particularly in residential buildings, flats, offices and many other internal applications. They offer a wide range of finishes and can often be specified to suit both modern and traditional settings. Timber-based fire doors have historically been the focus of UK guidance and certification schemes, which reflects how established they are within the market.

Composite

Composite fire doors are manufactured using a combination of materials – generally GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). They are commonly used where specifiers want a balance of fire performance, durability, weather resistance or a particular appearance. In practice, they are often seen in external or communal settings, though suitability will always depend on the tested system and intended use.

Metal

Metal fire doors (usually steel) are widely used in more demanding environments, including plant rooms, service risers, back-of-house areas, industrial buildings and other locations where durability is a priority. They are often chosen where robustness, security and heavy-duty performance are just as important as fire resistance.

Glass

Fully glazed or heavily glazed fire door systems are also used in the UK, particularly in offices, schools, healthcare settings and other buildings where visibility, light transfer or supervision are important. However, these are more specialised systems, and their fire performance depends not just on the glass itself, but on the complete tested arrangement – including the framing system, glazing method and associated components.

In practice, the right material will depend on the location of the door, the required fire rating, the surrounding environment and the overall fire strategy for the building.

Configuration

Fire doors can also vary in their configuration – that is, how they are arranged within an opening and how they operate in practice. This can affect everything from accessibility and traffic flow to how a building is used in an emergency.

These factors are considered within building design and fire safety planning; for example, door arrangement and direction of opening may need to align with escape routes or occupancy levels, as set out in Approved Document B.

Some of the most common fire door configurations include:

• Single leaf doors: The most typical arrangement, consisting of a single door leaf within a frame. These are widely used in residential properties, flats and many internal applications.

• Double leaf doors: Two door leaves within the same frame, often used where wider openings are required. These are common in corridors, communal areas and commercial buildings with higher footfall.

• Leaf-and-a-half (unequal pair): A variation of double doors where one leaf is larger than the other. This allows for everyday use through the main leaf, while the secondary leaf can be opened when additional width is needed.

• Sliding fire doors: Used in situations where there is insufficient space for a swinging door, or where large openings need to be protected. These are more common in commercial or industrial settings and typically require specific hardware and control systems.

• Direction of opening: Fire doors may open in different directions depending on their location. In many cases, particularly on escape routes, doors are required to open in the direction of travel to support safe evacuation.

Just be aware that the most appropriate configuration will depend on how the space is used, the number of occupants and the requirements of the overall fire strategy.

Fire Doors with Glass

Fire doors can incorporate glass in a number of ways, most commonly as smaller glazed areas within the door leaf, often referred to as vision panels. In some cases, doors may also form part of larger glazed systems.

These features are typically used to improve visibility, allow natural light to pass through a space, or support safer movement through a building. In some situations, such as along escape routes or in specific room layouts, glazed panels may even be required to support visibility.

However, the key consideration is not simply whether a fire door includes glass, but how that glass performs as part of the overall fire door system.

Like all other components in a fire door, fire-resistant glazing is not an independent solution. To provide effective fire protection, it must be used as part of a complete, tested doorset or assembly, including the frame, seals and glazing system. The performance of the door depends on how all of these elements work together.

In general, fire-resistant glass is classified based on how it performs in a fire:

• Integrity (E): Designed to prevent flames and hot gases from passing through the glass.

• Integrity and radiation (EW): In addition to integrity, limits the amount of heat radiated through the glass.

• Integrity and insulation (EI): Provides the highest level of performance, limiting both the spread of fire and the transfer of heat.

The level of performance required will depend on where the door is used and the role it plays within the building’s fire strategy. In some situations, particularly along escape routes or in compartment walls, the use or extent of glazing may be limited unless higher levels of performance are achieved.

Components

Fire doors are made up of a number of individual components, all of which contribute to the overall performance of the door. While much focus is naturally placed on the door leaf itself, it’s often the smaller or less visible components that determine whether a fire door is suitable for its intended use and will perform as intended.

Issues such as missing seals, poorly adjusted closers or incompatible hardware are among the most common reasons that fire doors fail to meet the required standard. For this reason, each component must be suitable for use within the specific doorset or assembly and correctly installed.

Some of the most important components include:

• Intumescent seals: Expand when exposed to heat, helping to seal the gap between the door leaf and frame and prevent the spread of fire.

• Smoke seals: Designed to restrict the passage of smoke at ambient temperatures. Today, these are often combined with intumescent seals in a single product.

• Door frame: Forms part of the fire-resisting construction and must be compatible with the door leaf and surrounding structure.

• Closers: Ensure the door returns to the closed position after use, which is essential for maintaining compartmentation in the event of a fire.

• Hinges: Support the weight of the door and must be capable of maintaining performance under extreme conditions. The number and type of hinges will depend on the door specification.

• Locks and latches: Help to ensure the door remains securely closed. These components must be compatible with the tested door system.

• Signage: Fire door signage (such as “Fire door keep shut”) plays an important role in how doors are used in day-to-day operation.

In practice, the combination of these components will vary depending on how and where the door is used. For example, doors on escape routes may rely on effective closers and appropriate signage to ensure they remain shut, while doors in corridors or between occupied spaces may incorporate smoke seals to help limit the spread of smoke at an early stage.

In some cases, features such as self-closing devices or vision panels are used together to support safe movement and visibility. These combinations do not determine fixed types of door, but they are brought together to meet different requirements within a building.

Location and Use

The way a fire door is used within a building is just as important as its construction. Factors such as how people move through a space, how often a door is opened or whether it forms part of an escape route all influence how that door needs to perform.

These considerations are reflected in building regulations and fire safety guidance, such as Approved Document B, where requirements are often linked to occupancy, layout and means of escape rather than a single type of door. As a result, the most appropriate fire door is usually defined by a combination of features – including its rating, components and configuration – based on how and where it will be used.

Some common considerations that relate to the type of door required include:

• Escape routes: Doors along escape routes play a critical role in safe evacuation. They may need to open in the direction of travel, incorporate vision panels for visibility, and include reliable self-closing devices to ensure they remain closed when not in use.

• Compartmentation: Fire doors are often used to separate different parts of a building, such as corridors, stairwells or individual units. In these locations, maintaining fire resistance and limiting the spread of smoke are key considerations.

• High-risk areas: Rooms with a higher fire risk, such as plant rooms, electrical cupboards or commercial kitchens, may require more robust fire doors or higher fire resistance ratings to contain a potential fire.

• Movement and visibility: In busy or high-traffic areas, doors may need to accommodate frequent use while still maintaining their fire performance. Features such as vision panels or double-swing configurations can support safer movement.

• Internal vs. external: External fire doors may also need to address factors such as weather resistance and security, in addition to their fire performance, while internal doors are typically focused on compartmentation and escape.

Ultimately, the right fire door specification will depend on the building’s fire strategy and the outcomes of a suitable risk assessment, ensuring that each door is appropriate for its specific location and use.

How to Choose the Right Fire Doors for Your Building

There is no simple checklist for choosing the “right” fire doors. As this guide has shown, fire doors are defined by a combination of factors, and their suitability depends on how they are intended to function within a building.

Fire doors are not selected in isolation. They form part of a wider fire safety strategy, developed in line with building regulations and fire safety legislation. Guidance such as Approved Document B sets out how buildings should support safe escape and limit the spread of fire, while the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

In support, a range of recognised standards underpin how fire doors are tested, classified and specified. For example, fire resistance is typically demonstrated through testing to standards such as BS EN 1634-1 or BS 476-22, with performance classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-2. Codes of practice such as BS 8214 then provide guidance on the specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors in real-world conditions.

Altogether, this means that the selection of fire doors is based on a combination of building design, fire strategy, risk assessment and appropriate test evidence, rather than a single decision made in isolation. Factors such as escape routes, compartmentation and the level of risk in different areas must all be considered together.

For this reason, finding the most appropriate fire doors will usually involve input from competent professionals  – such as fire risk assessors, designers or specialist contractors – to ensure that the doors specified are suitable for the building and supported by relevant standards and certification.

And be aware that the responsibility does not end at installation. Fire doors must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they continue to perform as intended over time. According to FDIS data from over 100,000 fire door inspections, care and maintenance issues were identified in 54% of failed inspections, making ongoing upkeep one of the most common reasons fire doors fall short of the required standard.

Need Support with Your Fire Doors?

Fire doors are only effective when they are correctly installed and maintained over time. Even where the right doors have been specified, issues such as damaged seals, poorly adjusted closers or general wear can affect how they perform in practice.

At Spectrum Specialist Support, we provide fire door installation that meets the needs of your building, alongside routine inspection and ongoing maintenance services. Our team is certified under the BM TRADA Q-Mark scheme, giving you confidence that work is carried out to recognised industry standards.

For those responsible for managing buildings, we offer a straightforward, reliable service to maintain fire door performance, identify issues early and ensure that doors continue to function as intended.

Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help.