Are There Fire Rating Options for Commercial Wood Doors?

Yes, commercial wood doors are available with fire rating options, typically ranging from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the door’s construction and core material. These doors must meet fire safety standards set by testing agencies like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or Intertek and are often used in conjunction with fire-rated frames and hardware to form a complete fire-rated assembly. While not as inherently fire-resistant as steel, fire-rated wood doors are specially engineered to slow the spread of flames and smoke, making them suitable for many commercial applications that require both safety and a traditional aesthetic.

What fire ratings are available for commercial wood doors?

Commercial wood doors are available in a range of fire ratings, typically from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the door’s construction and core material:

• 20-minute rating: Often used for corridor doors or openings between offices and common areas. These doors provide basic fire protection and help slow the spread of flames and smoke.
• 45-minute rating: Common in light commercial settings or residential mixed-use buildings. Suitable for stairwells, corridors, or rooms that require moderate fire resistance.
• 60-minute rating: Typically used in areas requiring enhanced fire protection, such as mechanical rooms or small assembly spaces.
• 90-minute rating: Provides high-level fire resistance and is often required for doors between garages and main buildings, stairwells in multi-story buildings, or corridors in high-occupancy facilities like hospitals or schools.

These ratings are certified by agencies such as UL or Intertek, and the door must be installed with compatible fire-rated frames and hardware to maintain its rating.

What core materials are used in fire-rated wood doors?

Fire-rated wood doors use specialized core materials designed to resist heat and slow the spread of fire. The most common core types include:

1. Mineral Core: Made from non-combustible materials, mineral cores are the most widely used in fire-rated doors. They offer excellent fire resistance (typically up to 90 minutes) and are lightweight yet durable.
2. Particleboard Core: A lower-cost option, particleboard cores are made from compressed wood particles. Fire-rated versions can meet up to 20- or 45-minute ratings when properly treated and constructed.
3. Composite Core: These are engineered blends of wood and non-combustible materials that balance strength, stability, and fire resistance. Composite cores can support ratings up to 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the door’s thickness and construction.
4. Steel Stiffened Core: Though less common in wood doors, some fire-rated models incorporate internal steel reinforcements for additional strength and fire protection.

Each core type impacts the door’s fire rating, weight, and acoustic performance. Selection depends on the required rating and application.

Do fire-rated wood doors require special frames and hardware?

Yes, fire-rated wood doors must be installed with special frames and hardware to preserve their certified fire rating. Fire doors are tested and approved as part of a complete assembly, meaning the door, frame, and hardware must all meet specific fire protection standards. If any component is not rated or improperly installed, it can compromise the entire system and void the door’s fire certification.

Fire-rated frames are essential for proper installation. While some rated wood frames may be allowed by code in certain situations, most fire-rated wood doors are paired with steel frames because of their superior fire resistance. The frame must carry a fire rating equal to or greater than the door’s and must be properly anchored and installed to pass inspection.

Fire-rated hardware is also required. This includes hinges, door closers, locks, panic devices, and latches—all of which must be certified to withstand high heat and help the door remain closed during a fire. Additionally, intumescent seals or smoke gaskets are often applied around the edges of the door to expand in heat, sealing gaps and helping prevent the spread of smoke and flames.

To ensure safety and code compliance, it’s critical that every part of the door assembly (from the frame to the hardware) is tested and approved for fire-rated use.

Are fire-rated wood doors required in all commercial buildings?

Fire-rated wood doors are not required in all areas of every commercial building, but they are mandated in specific locations depending on building codes, occupancy type, and fire safety requirements. These codes are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, protect exit routes, and ensure safe evacuation during emergencies.

Typically, fire-rated doors are required in areas where fire or smoke could spread quickly and pose a risk to occupants. Common locations include corridors and hallways leading to exits, stairwells and elevator lobbies, mechanical or electrical rooms, large storage rooms, and openings between fire-rated walls or partitions. Fire-rated doors may also be necessary between attached garages and occupied spaces or in buildings with mixed-use occupancies.

The exact requirements are outlined by the International Building Code (IBC) and local fire codes, which specify where fire-rated doors are needed and what level of fire protection they must provide, such as 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes. These rules are based on the building’s use, layout, and risk level.

While not every commercial door must be fire-rated, it is essential to consult with local building officials or fire safety professionals to ensure your facility meets code and protects occupants effectively.

Can fire-rated wood doors have glass inserts?

Yes, fire-rated wood doors can have glass inserts, but the glass must also be fire-rated to maintain the overall fire rating of the door. The glass used in fire-rated doors is typically made from special fire-resistant materials, such as ceramic glass or fire-rated tempered glass, which are designed to withstand high temperatures for a specified period of time (e.g., 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes).

The fire rating of the door will depend on both the wood door and the glass insert being compatible and tested as a unit. The glass insert must be installed within a fire-rated frame with appropriate fire-rated glazing materials and seals. The size of the glass opening may also be limited based on the fire rating required for the door.

Additionally, the installation of fire-rated glass must comply with local building codes, which may have specific requirements for the type of glass, the frame, and the overall assembly to ensure the door meets fire safety standards.

If you are in need of fire-rated wood doors, take a look here: Fire-Rated Wood Doors

If you are also in need of fire-rated frames, take a look here: Commercial Door Frames