Fire-Rated Door FAQ: 10 Questions from Buyers and Contractors

Fire-Rated Door FAQ: 10 Questions from Buyers and Contractors

1. What do 30/60/90/120 minute ratings actually mean?

The tested time the complete doorset maintains integrity (and insulation where required) in a standard fire test. Choose the rating from the building’s fire strategy — corridors and stairs commonly 60, plant rooms and high-risk walls 90-120.

2. Steel or timber fire door — which should I buy?

Steel for industrial, utility and back-of-house duty; timber where finish matters. Ratings, seals and hardware requirements apply equally to both.

3. Can I use my own locks, closers or hinges?

Only if they match the tested specification. Hardware outside the certificate voids the rating. Order the doorset with certified hardware, or send your hardware schedule for compatibility confirmation.

4. What gap should a fire door have?

Typically 2-4mm at head and stiles and the threshold gap the certificate permits. Consistency matters as much as the number — uneven gaps fail inspections.

5. What are intumescent seals and smoke seals?

Intumescent seals expand under heat to close the perimeter gap; smoke seals (brush/fin) block cold smoke from day one. Most doorsets need both, factory-fitted in the tested positions.

6. Can fire doors have glass?

Yes — with fire-rated glazing in the tested vision panel design. Field-cutting a window into a rated leaf is not permitted.

7. Are your doorsets certified for my market?

Jiahui supplies test reports and certificates for export markets; tell us your country and standard and we will confirm the matching documentation before you order.

8. Do fire doors need to be self-closing?

In almost all escape-route and corridor positions, yes — with a certified closer that closes and latches the leaf from any opening angle. Hold-open devices must release on alarm.

9. How should fire doors be maintained?

Periodic checks: closes and latches unaided, seals continuous, gaps in range, hardware complete, no unauthorized modifications. Keep a simple log — auditors ask for it.

10. What do you need for a quotation?

Door schedule (sizes, quantities, ratings, steel/timber, vision panels), market standard, and delivery port. We quote with certification references and lead times within one working day; OEM and project-label programs are welcome.