Shop our range of fire doors, including FD30 and FD60 rated internal and external doors, engineered to slow the spread of fire and smoke and give occupants vital time to escape.
What is a Fire Door?
A fire door is a specially engineered door designed to hold back fire and smoke for a set period of time, helping to compartmentalise a building and give occupants more time to escape while slowing the fire's spread. Fire doors are rated by how long they can resist fire before failing — most commonly FD30 (30 minutes) or FD60 (60 minutes) — and this rating applies to the whole doorset, including the frame, hinges, seals and hardware, not just the door leaf on its own.
FD30 vs FD60 — Which Do You Need?
- FD30 — Provides 30 minutes of fire resistance and is the standard specification for most domestic properties, including loft conversions, integral garage connecting doors, and HMOs.
- FD60 — Provides 60 minutes of fire resistance and is typically specified in higher-risk locations, larger buildings, or where a fire risk assessment calls for extended protection.
- FD30S / FD60S — The "S" suffix means the door also includes cold smoke seals, often required on corridor and stairwell doors.
The correct rating for your project should always be confirmed against your building's fire risk assessment or a qualified fire safety professional — this can vary by building type, height, and use.
Internal vs External Fire Doors
- Internal fire doors are used to protect escape routes and separate rooms within a building, such as connecting an integral garage to a house, or dividing communal areas in flats and HMOs.
- External fire doors are built to withstand fire from outside as well as provide weather resistance, commonly used on side/rear entrances in commercial and light commercial settings.
What to Look for in a Fire Door
- A certified, tested doorset — not just a door leaf fitted into a standard frame
- Intumescent seals, which expand under heat to seal gaps as the fire develops
- Cold smoke seals where required (FD30S/FD60S)
- Fire-rated hinges and hardware
- A functioning self-closing device, so the door isn't left open in an emergency
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FD30 mean on a fire door?
FD30 means the door is designed to resist fire for a minimum of 30 minutes — it refers to fire resistance in minutes, not the door's thickness in millimetres.
Do I legally need fire doors in my home?
Fire doors are typically required in specific situations such as loft conversions, integral garage connecting doors, and HMOs. Requirements vary by property type and layout, so it's worth checking against current Building Regulations (Approved Document B) or a fire risk assessment for your specific project.
Can I fit a fire door myself?
Fire doors can be fitted by a competent DIYer or tradesperson, but the door, frame, seals and hardware must be installed correctly as a complete tested assembly to maintain the fire rating — an otherwise-compliant door fitted incorrectly won't perform as tested.
What's the difference between FD30 and FD60 doors?
FD30 provides 30 minutes of fire resistance and suits most residential applications, while FD60 provides 60 minutes and is generally specified for higher-risk or larger buildings.
Want to know more about our fire door range? Call us on 01942 720777 or email [email protected].