The Business of Fire Interior Doors

Fire interior doors are available for both residential and commercial uses. In addition to the fire rating of an interior door, temperature control should be considered in commercial uses as well.

In some commercial settings, the use of temperature control doors is required to minimize the transfer of heat from one side of the door to the other. This is particularly important in fire interior doors that are used in the stairwells of multi-level buildings. If the door can limit the transfer of heat for a length of time, it's possible for people in a burning building to safely use the stairwell to escape. Fire interior doors that offer temperature control have a specifically designed core and are called temperature rise doors in the door trade.

Another consideration with fire rated interior doors are the door frames. The frame needs to be suitable for the fire door. There are no fire ratings in minutes for frames as you find in fire interior doors that are normally rated in 20, 45, 60 and 90 minute ratings. These ratings indicate how long the door was able to withstand the fire testing.

If a frame carries a label that certifies that it is a fire door frame, it should be capable of supporting a fire rated door up to 90 minutes. Check to make sure your frame is certified; otherwise the fire interior door is a moot point.

Fire interior doors are heavily regulated in commercial uses, so check local building codes for more information on the requirements. For residential fire interior doors, learn as much as possible before choosing a fire door to maximize the safety of your home and family.