A Guide to Different Types of Fire Doors

Understanding the types of fire doors available is essential for ensuring your building is protected, compliant, and designed around effective fire safety principles. Fire doors are a critical part of passive fire protection, helping to contain fire and smoke, protect escape routes, and support safe evacuation.

However, not all fire doors are the same. There are different fire door types, materials, and fire resistant ratings, each suited to specific environments and risk levels. Choosing the right option depends on how your building is used, the fire strategy in place, and the level of protection required.

In this blog, we explore the different types of fire doors, their ratings, where they’re commonly used, and how to choose the right solution for your building.

What are the different ratings of fire doors?

Fire doors are classified by how long they can resist fire and smoke. These ratings are typically expressed in minutes and are a key part of understanding fire door types and their applications.

The most common fire door ratings include:

• FD30 fire doors – these provide at least 30 minutes of fire resistance and are commonly used in residential buildings, offices, and corridors.
• FD60 fire doors – offering 60 minutes of protection, these are typically installed in higher-risk areas such as plant rooms, service areas, and larger commercial buildings.
• FD90 fire doors – these provide 90 minutes of fire resistance and are used in more complex or high-risk environments where extended protection is required.
• FD120 fire doors – typically found in industrial settings or buildings with significant fire risk, these fire doors offer up to 120 minutes of protection.

The correct rating for your circumstances will depend on your building’s fire strategy and risk assessment. Using the wrong rating can compromise fire door compliance, so it’s important to select doors that align with the level of protection required.

What are the different types of fire doors available?

There are several different types of fire doors, each designed for specific environments, performance requirements, and aesthetic considerations. The material and construction of a fire door will influence its durability, fire resistance, and suitability for different settings.

Timber fire doors

Timber fire doors are one of the most commonly used fire door types in both residential and commercial buildings. They’re versatile, cost-effective, and available in a wide range of finishes to suit different environments.

These doors are typically constructed using a solid core and are designed to provide reliable fire resistance when fitted with the correct seals, hardware, and frames. Timber fire doors are often used in offices, residential blocks, schools, and hotels where both performance and appearance are important.

Steel fire doors

Steel fire doors are designed for durability and are commonly used in industrial and high-risk environments. They’re highly resistant to impact, wear, and harsh conditions, making them suitable for areas such as warehouses, plant rooms, and service areas.

As one of the more robust fire door types, steel fire doors are often selected where additional strength and security are required alongside fire protection. They typically require less maintenance than timber doors and are well suited to high-traffic areas.

Glazed fire doors

Glazed fire doors incorporate fire-resistant glass panels, allowing visibility while maintaining fire protection. These doors are commonly used in offices, hospitals, and public buildings where natural light and visibility are important.

When properly specified, glazed fire doors can provide the same level of fire resistance as solid doors. The glazing must be fire-rated and installed correctly to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.

These types of fire doors are particularly useful in environments where maintaining visibility and openness is a priority without compromising safety.

Composite fire doors

Composite fire doors are constructed from a combination of materials, designed to provide enhanced performance, durability, and resistance to wear. They’re commonly used in residential settings, particularly as flat entrance doors in multi-occupied buildings.

Composite doors are known for their strength, insulation properties, and resistance to environmental factors. As a result, they’re often chosen where long-term durability and low maintenance are important.

What certified components are used across these fire door types?

All fire door types rely on a combination of certified components to perform correctly in the event of a fire. A fire door isn’t just a single unit, it’s a complete system that must work together to provide protection.

Some key components include:

• Intumescent seals and smoke seals – these expand when exposed to heat, sealing gaps, and preventing the spread of fire and smoke.
• Fire-rated glazing – these are used in glazed fire doors to maintain fire resistance while allowing visibility.
• Self-closing devices – these ensure the door closes automatically and remains effective during a fire.
• Door frames and fixings – these must be compatible with the door and installed correctly.
• Ironmongery and hardware – this includes hinges, locks, and handles that meet fire safety requirements.
• Fire door signage – this provides guidance on correct use and helps maintain compliance.

If any of these components are missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed, the fire door may not perform as intended, which can impact fire door compliance.

How to choose the right fire door type for your building

Choosing the right fire door type requires careful consideration of several factors. The decision should always be guided by your building’s fire risk assessment and overall fire strategy.

You should also keep these key considerations in mind:

• Building type and usage – different environments will require different levels of protection.
• Fire risk assessment findings – this identifies where fire doors are required and the appropriate rating needed.
• Fire resistance requirements – this will help determine whether FD30, FD60, or other higher-rated doors are needed.
• Compliance with regulations – you must ensure your doors meet legal requirements, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and relevant standards, including BS 8214 and BS 9999.
• Durability and maintenance needs – this is especially important in high-traffic or industrial environments.

It’s also important to avoid common mistakes such as selecting doors based solely on cost, using non-certified components, or failing to consider how the door will be used in practice.

That’s why working with experienced professionals, like AFP Wales, ensures that your chosen fire doors are suitable, compliant, and correctly installed.

Let us help select the right fire door type for you

Understanding the different types of fire doors is key to ensuring your building remains safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. From selecting the correct fire resistance rating to choosing the right components, every decision plays a role in protecting occupants and property.

At AFP Wales, we provide expert advice, installation, inspection, and maintenance services for all fire door types. Our team works closely with businesses, property managers, housing providers, and more to ensure fire doors are correctly specified, installed, and maintained.

With local expertise across Wales and nationwide support through the LS Fire Group, we can help you achieve full fire door compliance with minimal disruption. Be sure to contact us today to discuss your requirements in more detail and ensure your fire doors meet the highest safety standards.