When it comes to protecting your business, fire doors are non-negotiable. They slow the spread of fire and smoke, help people get out of the building safely and limit property damage. But with so many different types of fire doors out there, how do you know which one is right for your premises?
In this guide, we explain the different types of fire door systems available. We also explore fire door ratings so you have all the information you need to make the right choice for your business.
Types of fire doors
Here’s a breakdown of fire door types, their key features and where they’re most commonly used.
Fire exit steel doors
Steel fire exit doors are designed for quick and safe evacuation in the case of a fire. You’ll often find them at the back of shops, factories, offices, schools and other public buildings.
Key features:
- Outward opening
- Fitted with panic bars or push pads
- Durable and weather-resistant
Best for: escape routes in commercial and industrial settings
Fire curtains
Fire curtains are made from fire-resistant fabric that deploys automatically when a fire is detected. These curtains form a barrier against fire and smoke in large, open plan spaces.
Key features:
- Hidden when not in use
- Can cover large spaces
- Can be connected to alarm systems
Best for: retail, warehouses and large, open commercial spaces
Timber fire-rated doors
Timber fire doors provide excellent fire protection while fitting with the aesthetics of a building. They’re often constructed from solid timber or a combination of timber and fire-resistant materials.
Key features:
- Can include vision panels
- Cost-effective
- Designed to fit with internal décor
Best for: internal use in offices, schools, hospitals and residential buildings
Steel fire doors
Steel fire doors offer a higher level of fire protection than timber. These doors are often chosen for industrial or high-risk settings. For example, they’re a good choice for rooms that contain combustibles.
Key features:
- Strong steel construction
- High FD ratings available
- Top-level security
Best for: factories, warehouses and high-risk rooms within commercial buildings
Glazed fire doors
Glazed fire doors meet fire safety standards while allowing natural light to pass through the door. They also improve visibility, which is useful in an emergency when people need to see what’s on the other side of a door before opening it.
Key features:
- Fire-rated glass panels
- Available in timber or steel
- A variety of design options
Best for: corridors, reception areas and any space where visibility between rooms is a priority
Double fire doors
Double fire doors are a type of fire door used in settings where a large volume of traffic or large equipment needs to be accommodated.
Key features:
- Symmetrical and unequal leaf designs
- Available with vision panels and panic hardware
- Coordinated closing mechanisms
Best for: hospitals, factories, warehouses, prisons and schools
Automatic fire doors
Automatic fire doors stay open under normal use but close automatically when a fire alarm is triggered. This enables the easy movement of people and equipment through an industrial, commercial or public building, without compromising fire safety.
Key features:
- Automatic closing mechanism
- Electromagnetic hold-open mechanism
- Connected to fire alarm systems
- Fail-safe options in case of power cut
Best for: hospitals, care homes and public buildings
Bespoke fire doors
Bespoke fire doors are manufactured from scratch. Rather than picking an off-the-shelf option, you can find fire doors that perfectly fit the size of your doorway, your fire safety needs and the aesthetics of your building.
Key features:
- Custom-made design
- Available in a huge range of sizes
- Tailored to your requirements
Best for: any commercial, industrial or public building
Types of fire door ratings
When choosing the right fire door for your business, you also need to consider fire door ratings. Every type of fire door comes with one of the following ratings:
- FD30: provides 30 minutes of fire protection
- FD60: provides 60 minutes of fire protection
- FD90: provides 90 minutes of fire protection
- FD120: provides two hours of fire protection
- FD240: provides four hours of fire protection
Fire door ratings are determined through controlled fire resistance testing. The door, frame and hardware are exposed to fire to assess their ability to contain fire and smoke.
Doors rated FD90 and higher tend to be used in industrial and high-risk environments. Doors rated FD60 are often used in schools, hospitals and commercial buildings.
When choosing a fire door, it’s important to match the rating to your building’s fire strategy and local fire safety and building regulations.
Choosing the right type of fire door for your business
When deciding which type of fire door to use in your business premises, here are some important considerations to bear in mind.
Regulations and legal compliance
Your choice of fire door must meet UK Building Regulations, the Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order 2005 and any sector-specific standards.
Fire risk assessment
Your fire risk assessment should highlight which areas of your building need fire compartmentation. This information will help inform the type and rating of fire doors you need.
Access and safety
Fire doors must be easy to operate in an emergency. That means panic bars on exits, self-closing mechanisms and vision panels in high-traffic areas.
Durability and maintenance
Choose a fire door that’s built for its environment. A timber door might look great in an office — but in a busy warehouse, you need the durability of steel.
Other essential features
Depending on the location of your fire door, other features may be important. Consider whether you need a fire door with a high security rating, good insulation or customisable design.
Find the right type of fire door for your business at Fire Door Systems
At Fire Door Systems, we manufacture, install and maintain fire doors for businesses up and down the UK. We provide all types of fire doors, including doors for industrial, commercial and public buildings.
Whether you need fire exit doors, steel fire doors, timber fire-rated doors or fire curtains, we’ve got everything you need to keep your people and your business premises safe.
Still unsure which fire door solution is the right choice for your premises? Get in touch with the FDS team to chat through the options and find fire doors suited to your space, budget and requirements.