What Fire Door Rating Do I Need?

Fire Door Ratings

• FD30 (E 30): 30 minutes fire resistance. The standard certified doorset on sale, and what you fit where AD B asks for E 20 inside a house
• FD30S: FD30 plus cold smoke seal. Required where smoke protection is needed
• E 60 Sa: 60 minutes plus smoke seal. Doors into a firefighting shaft, required where a building has a storey more than 18m above fire and rescue service vehicle access level (AD B Vol 1 para 15.2, Diagram 15.1). Other protected stairways in the same building stay at FD30S (Table C1 item 4a)
• FD60S: FD60 plus cold smoke seal. The product you buy where a 60-minute smoke-sealed doorset is specified
• FD90 / FD120: Commercial and high-risk applications

Where Fire Doors Are Required (Domestic)

• Loft conversion: minimum E 20 doorsets to the rooms opening onto the protected stairway (AD B Vol 1 para 2.21b), including upgrading existing doors. No cold smoke seal and no self-closer
• 3-storey houses: the same minimum E 20 doorsets to habitable rooms opening onto the protected stairway (Table C1 item 11b). Not FD30S
• Garage to house: FD30S (E 30 Sa: 30-minute with smoke seals) and it must be self-closing, per AD B Vol 1 Table C1 item 11a and Appendix C5
• Flat entrance: FD30S minimum (E 30 Sa, AD B Vol 1 Table C1 item 2a). Fixed at 30 minutes whatever the fire resistance of the compartment wall it sits in
• Communal corridors in flats: cross-corridor and dead-end sub-division doors minimum E 30 Sa (AD B Vol 1 paras 3.35, 3.36); flat entrance doors onto the corridor FD30S (Table C1 item 2a); the door to the stairway FD30S (Table C1 item 5a). Above 18m the door from the corridor into a firefighting shaft is E 60 Sa (para 15.2, Diagram 15.1b)

Essential Components

• Intumescent strip: Expands in heat to seal the gap between door and frame
• Cold smoke seal: Prevents smoke passing through gaps (the “S” in FD30S)
• Self-closing device: Required on flat entrance doors and on the door between a dwellinghouse and an integral garage. Not required on fire doorsets within a flat or house, or to cupboards (AD B Vol 1 Appendix C5)
• Correct frame: Must be fire-rated to match the door
• Hinges: 3 × CE-marked fire-rated hinges per door
• Glazing: Must be fire-rated glass with intumescent glazing tape

Cost Guide

• FD30 door (supply only): £80–200 (flush), £150–400 (panelled)
• FD60 door: £150–350 (flush), £250–500 (panelled)
• Intumescent strip + smoke seal kit: £10–25
• Overhead door closer: £15–50

Important Note

Fire doors must not be modified (trimmed, drilled for locks, or fitted with non-rated hardware) without re-certification. Always consult Building Control for specific requirements. These are general guidelines — individual projects may have additional requirements under Building Regulations Part B.