Get Famous Branded Quality at Factory Cost

Products Category

Products

UL Door Hardware

CE Door Hardware

Fire Rated Door Hardware

Door Hinge

Fire Rated Door Hinge UL Listed

ANSI Fire Rated Door Hinge

BS EN 1935 Grade 13 CE Hinge

Heavy Duty Hinges

Electrified Door Hinge

Flag Hinge

Stainless Steel Hinges

Lift-Off Hinge

Spring Hinge

Flush Hinges

Security Hinge

Antirust Door Hinge

Folding Door Hinge

Commercial Hinges

Continuous Piano Hinge

Shower Door Hinge

Hinge Screw

Brass Hinge

Concealed Door Hinge

EN1935 Invisible Hinge

Concealed Hinge

Adjustable Concealed Hinge

Door Lock

Fire Door Lock

CE Mortise Lock

Euro Mortise Lock

Dead Bolt Lock

Door Lock for Front Door

Bathroom Door Lock

Door Lock for Sliding Door

Narrow Stile Lock

Commercial Door Lock

Door Lock for Classroom

Passage Door Lock

ANSI Mortise Lock

Tubular Lock

Cylindrical Lock

Door Lock Cylinder

Lock Cylinder EN1303

Lock Cylinder

Lock Cylinder ANSI

Panic Exit Hardware

UL Fire Exit Hardware

CE Panic Hardware

Commercial Door Push Bar

Panic Exit Device Lever Trim

Door Control

UL Door Closer

CE Door Closer

Door Closer

Concealed Door Closer

Heavy Duty Door Closer

Security Door Controls 

Door Selector

Door Coordinator

Pneumatic Door Closer

Door Handle

EN1906 Lever Handle

Tube Lever Handle-Hollow

Solid Door Handle

ANSI Door Handle

Door Handle on plate

Stainless Steel Lever

Antirust Door Handle

Lever Handle for Narrow Frame

Door knob

Lever on Backplate

Door Pull Handle

Glass door handle

Shower Door Handle

Escutcheon

Bathroom Hardware

Bathroom Mortise Lock

Bathroom Lock Cylinder

Toilet Indicator

Thumb turn with indicator

Bathroom Accessories

Door Bolt

Lever Action Flush Bolt

Wooden door bolt

Metal door flush bolts

Door Latch

Security Door Bolts

Stainless Steel Indicator Bolt

Dust Proof Socket

Flush Bolt for Metal Door

Flush Bolt for Wooden Door

Door Stopper

Door Holder

Floor Mounted Doorstop

Wall Mounted Door Stops

Magnetic Door Holders

Foot operated Door Holder

Bifold Door Catch Kit

Digital Door Lock

Padlock

Rim Lock

Door Accessories

Door Chain

Door Guard

Door Viewer

Sign Plate

Ball Catch

Push Pull Plate

Kick Plate

Metal Door Accessories

Intumescent Pads

Glass Hardware

Glass Door Hinge

Patch Fitting

Floor Spring

Glass Clip

Barn Door Hardware

Furniture Hardware

Furniture Handle

Cabinet Pulls

Cabinet knob

Towel Coat Hook

Hands Free Door Opener


 :  +86-750-3652251 / 3856396

:  +86-750-3856395 / 3856397

www.dndhardware.com

:  sales@dndhardware.com

 

Do Door Handles Need To Be Fire Rated?

Publish Time: 2025-12-10     Origin: Site

Yes, you need to use a fire rated door handle on any fire door so you follow fire safety rules. A fire rated handle can take very high heat and helps keep the door closed during a fire. Certified products are important because not all hardware is made to world standards. Look for marks like UL, EN, or ANSI/BHMA to make sure it is approved. D&D HARDWARE sells door handles that meet these tough rules. If you do not follow these rules, you could risk safety and get in legal trouble.

Key Takeaways

  • Always put fire-rated door handles on fire doors. This helps keep people safe and follows fire safety rules.

  • Check for certification marks like UL, EN, or ANSI/BHMA. These marks show the door handle is safe to use.

  • Pick fire-rated handles that match your fire door's rating, like FD30 or FD60. This gives the best protection.

  • Check and take care of fire-rated handles often. This makes sure they work well in emergencies.

  • Buy from trusted brands like D&D HARDWARE for good fire-rated door handles. These handles meet tough safety rules.

What Is a Fire Rated Door Handle?

Fire Rated Definition

It is important to know what makes a door handle fire rated. A fire rated door handle follows strict fire safety rules. It goes through hard tests to show it can take high heat and still work in a fire. You might see ratings like FD 30 or FD 60. These ratings tell you how long the handle can last in a fire, like 30 or 60 minutes. Testing groups like UL and EN check if the handle meets world safety rules. These rules help you trust the handle will not break when you need it.

A fire rated handle is not the same as a regular handle. You can see how they are different in the table below:

Feature

Fire-Rated Door Handles

Standard Door Handles

Materials

High-strength, high-temperature resistant (e.g., stainless steel)

Common materials (e.g., zinc alloy, plastic)

Design Standards

Manufactured according to strict standards and certified for fire resistance

Designed for daily use without fire performance requirements

Functional Guarantees

Maintains integrity and operability during a fire

Lacks necessary fire performance certification

How Fire Rated Handles Work

Fire rated handles help protect people and buildings in emergencies. If you put in a fire rated door, you also need fire rated handles. These handles keep the door safe when there is a lot of heat. They use strong metals like stainless steel that do not melt or bend easily. D&D HARDWARE makes fire rated handles from SS 304, 201, and 316 stainless steel. These metals make the handles last longer and work better.

Fire rated handles are safer because they go through special tests. They must work in fires and also in normal times. D&D HARDWARE checks every handle to make sure it passes fire safety rules. The handles have things like positive-latching to keep the door shut in a fire. You can also use electric latch retraction with auto-latch for more safety. These things make fire rated handles the best pick for any fire rated door.

Tip: Always look for marks like UL or EN before you buy fire rated handles. Certified handles help you follow the law and keep everyone safe.

Fire Door Handles and Safety Standards

Legal Requirements for Fire Rated Door Handles

You must follow strict requirements when you choose fire door handles for any fire rated door. Safety codes and regulations set clear rules for fire door hardware. These rules help protect people and property during a fire. You will find standards like NFPA 80, NFPA 101, and UL 10B that guide the certification of fire-rated door handles. Local laws also require you to use certified products.

Here is a table that shows some important standards for fire rated handles:

Standard

Description

Certification Required

UL 10B

Standard for Safety - Fire Tests of Door Assemblies

Requirements found in the International Building Code, Chapter 7

NFPA 80

Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives

Must meet applicable building or life safety codes

NFPA 101

Life Safety Code

Must comply with fire-rated door assembly requirements

You need to make sure every part of the fire door, including the door handle, meets these standards. Fire-rated door handles go through tough tests. Testing agencies check if the handles can work under high heat and stress. You will see labels from third-party agencies on certified fire door handles. These labels prove the handles meet fire safety requirements.

Note: Fire doors must be self-closing and have positive latching. Fire-rated handles help the door stay shut during a fire, which is critical for safety and compliance.

Matching Handle Ratings to Fire Rated Doors

You must match the fire resistance rating of your fire door handles to the rating of your fire door. This step is important for fire performance and overall safety. Fire doors come with ratings like FD30 or FD60. These ratings show how long the door can resist fire—FD30 means 30 minutes, FD60 means 60 minutes.

Here is a table that explains fire door ratings and their uses:

Fire Door Rating

Fire Resistance Time

Typical Use Cases

FD30

30 minutes

Residential properties, low-risk commercial buildings

FD60

60 minutes

High-risk environments, such as high-rise buildings, schools, and hospitals

You must use fire-rated handles that match or exceed the fire resistance rating of the door. If you install a FD60 fire door, you need handles that can last at least 60 minutes in a fire. This match helps keep the door strong and safe during emergencies.

  • Fire door ratings show how long a door can resist fire.

  • FD30 doors resist fire for at least 30 minutes.

  • FD60 doors resist fire for at least 60 minutes.

  • Higher ratings mean longer fire resistance, which is important for safety in places like hospitals and schools.

Fire-rated door handles play a key role in passive fire protection. They help create barriers that slow down fire and smoke. This delay gives people more time to leave the building safely. You must check the fire resistance rating of every handle before you install it. This step helps you meet compliance and protect everyone in the building.

Tip: Always choose fire door handles that have been tested and certified for the same fire resistance rating as your fire door. This choice helps you follow the law and keeps your building safe.

Construction of Fire-Rated Handles

Materials and Durability

When picking fire-rated handles, you should check what they are made of. Stainless steel, like SS 304, 201, and 316, is the best for fire door handles. Stainless steel does not change shape when it gets very hot. It also does not rust, so the handle lasts a long time. This metal can take heat over 800°C without melting or bending. Other materials might break or change shape, but stainless steel stays strong and safe.

D&D HARDWARE uses top-quality stainless steel for their fire-rated handles. These handles look nice and work well even in hard situations. The strong build means the handle will not break when you need it most. You can count on these handles to work in a fire and match your fire door's rating.

  • Stainless steel keeps its shape in high heat.

  • It does not rust, so it lasts longer.

  • It can handle heat over 800°C.

Testing and Certification

You must make sure fire-rated handles pass tough tests before you use them. Testing groups check if the handles are strong, safe, and follow the rules. D&D HARDWARE uses a careful process to make sure their handles are good. Every month, you should look at the handles to find any damage. Once a year, you should test if the doors open, close, and lock right. You also need to measure gaps to see if the door fits the rules. Checking labels helps you know your fire door hardware is certified.

Certification Type

Description

ANSI/BHMA Certification

Makes sure door hardware is strong, works well, and is safe.

UL Certification

Checks safety and rules for the U.S., making products more reliable.

CE Marking

Shows the product meets EU safety and works well in Europe.

Fire Rating Certification

Proves the handle passes hard fire safety tests from groups like Intertek or UL.

ADA Compliance

Makes sure people with disabilities can use the handles in public places.

You should always look for these certifications when you buy fire-rated handles. Certified handles help you follow the rules and keep people safe. Good testing and certification help you feel sure your fire doors will work in an emergency.

Choosing and Maintaining Fire Rated Door Handles

Selecting the Right Handle

You must pick a fire-rated door handle that fits your building. The handle also needs to follow all safety rules. Here are some things you should think about:

  1. Make sure the handle follows fire safety rules for your area.

  2. The handle's fire rating should match your fire door's rating.

  3. Think about where you will use the handle. Some places need stronger handles.

  4. Get a professional to put in the handle for you.

  5. Plan to check and take care of the handle often.

You can ask certified experts for help. They know the rules and can help you not make mistakes. They also make sure your building is safe and follows the law.

Tip: Pick certified brands like D&D HARDWARE for good fire-rated handles.

Installation Tips

Good installation helps fire-rated handles work in emergencies. First, check your door's fire rating, like FD30 or FD60. Take off any old handles with care. Put the new handle in so the spindle goes through the lock. Line up the holes and put the spring washers in place. Use fireproof screws to hold the handle tight. Always follow what the maker says to do.

Certified experts can help you not have problems like crooked handles or wrong parts. They make sure your handle is put in right and follows all safety rules.

Maintenance and Inspection

Checking your fire-rated handles often keeps them working well. It also keeps your building safe. You should look at the handles a lot, especially in busy places. The table below shows how often to check different doors:

Scenario

Inspection Frequency

Automatic Release Doors

Weekly

High-Traffic Areas

Quarterly

All Other Fire Doors

Semi-Annually

Some common problems are handles that do not line up, broken seals, or loose hinges. You can fix these by moving the handle, putting in new seals, or tightening screws. Checking often helps you find problems early. This keeps your fire doors ready for emergencies and helps you follow fire safety rules.

Conclusion

You help keep your building safe when you follow fire door rules and use certified fire rated hardware. Fire door certification makes sure your self closing fire door is safe and follows the rules. If you install and take care of your fire door the right way, it can protect people and things from fire.

Picking a trusted brand like D&D HARDWARE helps you feel safe and follow fire safety rules. Check your doors often and change the hardware if you need to so you follow the rules.

FAQ

What does "fire rated" mean for a door handle?

A fire-rated handle can resist high heat and keep working during a fire. You need this type of handle on fire doors to meet safety rules.

How do I know if my door handle is fire rated?

Look for labels like UL, CE, or EN on the handle or packaging. These marks show the handle passed fire safety tests.

Can I use any handle on a fire door?

No, you must use a fire-rated handle. Regular handles may fail in a fire. Always match the handle's rating to your fire door.

How often should I check fire-rated door handles?

You should inspect handles at least twice a year. In busy areas, check them more often. Regular checks help you find problems early.

Contact Info

:+86-139 2903 7292   David Jian

:  +86-750- 3856396

 : sales@dndhardware.com
 
: +86-139 2903 7292
 
 : +86-139 2903 7292

:  12th Floor, Building 2, No.898, KeChuang Technical Zone,
Jiangmen Avenue, Pengjiang District, Jiangmen City, Guangdong, China
Get Famous Branded Quality at Factory Cost

©Copyright D&D HARDWARE INDUSTRIAL Co., LIMITED. All Rights Reserved.