All fire doors are rated based on their fire resistance features. This is known as an FD rating and is measured based on several different criteria. FD 30 and FD 60 are the main categories of fire doors. FD 30 means a fire door has a minimum of 30 minutes of fire resistance. A door with a rating of FD60S offers a minimum of 60 minutes of fire resistance and is a smoke sealed door. It is generally accepted that to provide the required level of fire resistance, all fire doors should be reinforced with either intumescent strips, cold smoke seals or a combination of both.
According to the British Standard 476 fire safety standards, most doors need to be S-type (smoke sealed) doors. Having a fireproof door installed with intumescent strips can help the door qualify for these standards. Seals need to limit leakage to a rate of 3 cubic metres of smoke through 1 metre of door edge per hour. If you require additional clarification on fire door requirements, we advise you to contact the manufacturer of your fire door’s make and model.
If a door does not meet the regulatory definition of a fire door, adding intumescent strips alone won’t mean it will provide the same level of protection as a fire door. While nothing is stopping you from installing intumescent strips on a regular door, the door will still fall short of regulatory requirements.
