What are the fire rated door hardware requirements and specifications?

Fire doors can help compartmentalize a building, prevent the spread of smoke and flames, and protect egress routes to allow for safe escape. However, they must be properly specified, installed, and maintained to provide the necessary protection. As a professional door hardware manufacturer in China, we provide customers various quality fire rated door hardware.

1.Fire Rated Door Hinges 

A labeled fire door must be hung on steel bearing-type hinges. The use of steel is necessary since non-ferrous metals become "elastic" at much lower temperatures, which could allow serious dislocation of the door during a fire. There are certain hinge designs made of non-ferrous metals which may be used on fire doors in accordance with the listing information for the particular hinge. These hinges are usually used on doors of lesser fire rating. 

The bearing type knuckles on hinges are required in order to provide smooth operation and to minimize wear throughout the lifetime of the opening. Remember, a fire door must close in the event of a fire. Worn hinges will cause the door to sag, effectively preventing the door from closing. Exception: Some manufacturers may provide doors with hinges which are non-bearing type when they are part of a listing assembly. 

NFPA 80 allows the use of standard weight (1.34 inches leaf thickness) 4-1/2" hinges on 1-3/4-hour doors up to 4'0" in width and 8'0" in height. Doors over 8' in height shall have heavy weight (.180 inches leaf thickness) 4-1/2" hinges. Some manufacturers have the capability of providing lighter weight hinges on doors over 8' in height as part of a listed assembly. (Consideration should be given to larger hinge sizes for heavy or frequent use doors.)

  

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2.Fire exit hardware

Exit devices may be used on labeled doors provided the door labeling specifically states "Fire Door To Be Used With Fire Exit Hardware."This label indicates that the door has been properly reinforced for fire exit devices. Doors that bear this label must pass a panic loading test in addition to the standard fire test. The panic load test measures the structural capability of the door to allow the hardware to operate in a panic situation. 

Care must be taken when selecting exit devices for use on fire rated doors, as some devices have been tested for panic loading only, and not fire tested. In addition, exit devices have size and hourly rating restrictions, and must be properly labeled and identified as fire exit hardware. 

3.Closing devices 

A properly sized closing device is the last of the “basic” fire door hardware requirements. A 7 SDI 118-2001 fire door must be in a closed and latched position to serve as a protective barrier in the event of a fire. For this reason, either spring hinges or a listed door closer is required. When the door is closed, the closer has served its role as a protective device.

D&D Hardware Manufacture of high quality hardware for Fire Rated Doors, Wooden Doors, Metal Doors, Escape Doors, Single Fire Rated Flush Doors, Double Doors, Security Doors, Louver Steel Doors etc.

Our products which include Panic Exit Device, Lever Handles, Mortise Locks, Lock Cylinder, Door Hinges, Door Closer, Door Bolts, Door Stoppers, etc.

All our products strictly according to international Standard, such as the ANSI, BS EN/CE, UL, BHMA standard.

More fire rated door hardwares, click here.