When managing or maintaining a building, knowing the difference between a normal door and a fire door can make a significant impact on overall fire safety. While both types of doors may look similar at first glance, they serve very different purposes and are constructed to different standards. Understanding these differences helps ensure the right door is used in the right setting, particularly where safety and compliance are concerned.
Standard doors
Standard doors are designed for everyday use, offering privacy and sound reduction. Made from lightweight materials like softwood or hollow-core panels, they suit various interiors but are not fire-resistant. In a fire, they can quickly fail, allowing smoke and flames to spread, posing serious risks in shared or public buildings.
What makes a fire door different
Fire doors are specifically engineered to resist fire and smoke for a set period of time, usually 30 or 60 minutes. This delay can be crucial for giving people enough time to leave the building safely and for the emergency services to respond.
To achieve this, fire doors are made from more robust materials. They have a solid core made from engineered timber, gypsum or other fire-resisting materials. Around the edges, you’ll find intumescent strips that expand when exposed to heat, sealing any gaps between the door and the frame. Some designs also include smoke seals to limit the spread of smoke before the intumescent material activates.
Tested and certified to perform
Unlike standard doors, fire doors must be tested to meet recognised performance standards, such as BS 476 Part 22 or BS EN 1634. This testing measures how well the door can hold back fire and for how long.
Fire-rated doors will carry a certification label, usually on the top edge or the hinge side of the door leaf, showing the fire resistance rating (for example, FD30 for 30 minutes and FD60 for 60 minutes). This label is an important part of confirming the door’s suitability and should never be removed or painted over.
The importance of correct components
A key part of what sets fire doors apart is the specification of their hardware. While a normal door can be fitted with any standard hinges or handles, fire doors require fire-rated components that have been tested as part of the complete door set. This includes hinges, locks, latches, door closers, and the frame itself.
Most fire doors will also have an automatic door closer to ensure they are never left open, as they only provide protection when properly shut.
Fitting and maintenance considerations
Installing a standard door is generally a straightforward task that many tradespeople can carry out. Fire doors, however, require more careful attention. Even small errors in installation can affect how well the door performs in a fire.
To get the most from a fire door, it should be installed by someone familiar with fire safety requirements and product specifications. Routine maintenance is also essential. Over time, things like worn seals or faulty closers can reduce a fire door’s effectiveness, so it’s a good idea to include them in regular property inspections.
When fire doors are needed
Not every doorway requires a fire door. However, in buildings such as blocks of flats, offices, care homes, and schools, fire doors are legally required to protect escape routes and slow the spread of fire. The requirement will usually be based on a fire risk assessment, which considers how the building is used and who uses it.
Being aware of where fire doors are needed and ensuring they are up to standard helps support compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other building regulations.
A practical difference with real impact
In simple terms, the difference between a normal door and a fire door comes down to purpose. A normal door is fine for everyday use, but a fire door is designed to provide added protection when it matters most. Knowing where and when to use each type of door can make a meaningful difference to the safety of a building and its occupants.