Publish Time: 2025-06-11 Origin: Site
In the construction and building safety sector, fire doors play a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke during emergencies. However, the performance of a fire door is only as reliable as the components that support it—particularly the fire door hinges. These hinges are essential for ensuring the door functions correctly during a fire. This article explores the essential requirements for hinges on fire-rated doors, focusing on design, regulation, installation, and industry trends. Whether you're a fire door hardware manufacturer, or certified installer, understanding hinge requirements is key to ensuring compliance and safety.
A fire door is a specially engineered door assembly designed to withstand fire for a specified period. Common ratings include 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes of fire resistance. These doors are part of a building's passive fire protection system and are usually found in escape routes, stairwells, or between compartments in a commercial or residential building.
While standard doors provide privacy or noise insulation, fire rated doors are specifically tested and certified to delay the spread of fire and smoke. Here are the key differences:
| Feature | Normal Door | Fire Door |
|---|---|---|
| Material Composition | Wood, MDF, Glass | Fire-resistant core (e.g., vermiculite, mineral board) |
| Certification | Not required | Requires fire rating certification |
| Hinges | Standard hinges | Fire rated door hinges |
| Seals | Often absent | Includes intumescent strips and smoke seals |
| Testing | Not fire-tested | Subject to rigorous fire testing |
Fire doors are part of the passive fire protection system and are designed to remain shut under fire conditions, preventing the spread of fire and smoke for a set duration.
Fire doors consist of:
A solid core made from materials like particle board, mineral core, or steel.
Special fire door hinges designed to withstand high temperatures.
Intumescent strips that expand with heat to seal gaps.
Smoke seals to restrict smoke penetration.
A door closer to ensure automatic closure.
The fire-resistance rating is determined through testing by certified laboratories. Doors are exposed to intense heat and pressure, and the time they maintain integrity determines their rating (e.g., FD30, FD60).
UL 10C fire rated 3 hours & CE EN1935, EN1634 fire rated 260mins Certification
Fire doors delay the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants more time to evacuate and emergency services more time to respond. By segmenting fire into compartments, fire doors help contain it and reduce structural damage.
Yes, intumescent strips are required. They expand when heated and seal the gaps between the door and the frame, preventing fire and smoke from spreading through small openings.
In most cases, especially in commercial settings, smoke seals are mandatory. They block cold smoke, which often spreads before the flames, causing serious harm or fatalities.
Absolutely. Hinges are integral to the operation of any door, and with fire doors, their importance is amplified. A fire rated door hinge must support the weight of the door, ensure reliable self-closing, and retain structural integrity under extreme heat. Non-compliant hinges can render a fire door ineffective.
Fire door hinges are specially manufactured and tested metal hinges designed to hold up under the extreme heat and pressure of a fire. They are often made from high-grade stainless steel and include features like ball bearings, grease retention systems, and fire-resistant coatings.
Made of non-combustible materials such as stainless steel.
Ball bearing for smooth, durable operation.
High melting point.
Certified by testing authorities.
Resistant to deformation during high temperatures.
Fire door hinges function like regular hinges but are engineered to withstand fire conditions. During a fire:
They maintain structural support for the heavy fire door.
Prevent door misalignment.
Work in combination with self-closing devices.
Retain door integrity to allow intumescent seals to work effectively.
To be compliant with fire safety regulations, fire rated door hinges must meet specific standards:
Must be CE-marked and comply with EN 1935:2002 or UL 10C.
Should pass cycle tests (usually 200,000 cycles) and fire resistance tests.
Must be tested on the same fire door they will be used with.
A minimum of three hinges is required per door leaf.
Larger or heavier doors may require four or more hinges.
Manufactured from steel, brass, or phosphor bronze.
Should not include combustible materials like plastic or aluminum.
Must support the full weight of the fire door, often exceeding 100kg.
Load rating must be specified by the manufacturer, OEM, or fire door supplier.
Some fire door hinges require additional intumescent kits to be compliant.
Hinges should match or exceed the fire resistance rating of the door (e.g., 60-minute hinges for an FD60 door).
Installed by qualified professionals.
Fixed using steel screws, not aluminum or wood screws.
Must be mounted flush with the door leaf and frame.
| Requirement | Standard/Specification |
| Certification | EN 1935:2002, UL 10C |
| Minimum Hinges | 3 per door |
| Load Bearing | >100kg depending on door size |
| Material | Steel, brass, or bronze |
| Intumescent Support | Often required |
| Matching Fire Rating | Must equal or exceed door rating |
| Installation Screws | Steel screws only |
Yes. Installing a fire door is not a DIY job. A certified fitter ensures:
All fire rated door hinge components are compliant.
Proper alignment and fitment.
Installation meets local and national fire safety codes.
In many regions, fire door installations must be signed off by an accredited inspector or third-party certifier.
Improper installation can nullify the certification of a fire door. Even with high-quality hinges and seals, incorrect spacing, non-compliant screws, or a poor frame can compromise the door’s performance. For building owners, this means increased liability, insurance issues, and serious safety risks.
The importance of compliant fire rated door hinges cannot be overstated. As a fire door hardware manufacturer, ensuring that the hinges meet all regulatory, structural, and safety requirements is crucial. From EN 1935:2002 certification to proper installation with intumescent strips and correct screw types, every detail matters in safeguarding lives and property.
By adhering to these strict standards, you not only ensure legal compliance but also build trust with your customers and end users. As a manufacturer, wholesaler, or global supplier, offering tested and certified fire door hinges tailored to specific fire door systems gives you a competitive edge in the safety equipment market.
A: No. Regular hinges are not designed to withstand high temperatures and can fail during a fire. Use only certified fire rated door hinges.
A: Check for CE marking, EN 1935 compliance, and fire test certificates from the manufacturer or OEM partner.
A: For standard doors, yes. However, heavier doors or doors over 2.1 meters tall may need four or more.
A: Yes. Many fire door hardware bulk suppliers and exporters offer wholesale supply to contractors, builders, and commercial resellers.
A: Usually, yes. But always confirm they are steel screws, not aluminum or plastic.
A: In many cases, yes. Some hinges require intumescent kits to meet full fire-resistance certification.
D&D Hardware is ISO 9001 certified factory with 18 years experience specialize in door hardware comply to CE BS EN and ANSI/BHMA UL standard, Our main products are Door Hinge, Mortise lock, Lever handle, Cylinder, Door Closer, Panic device, smart lock, concealed hinge, glass hardware, barn door hardware and door accessories etc. for Wooden door, Hollow metal door and fire rated using.
Pls feel free to contact us！click here.
Contact: David Jian
Mob:0086-139 2903 7292
Email: David@dndhardware.com, sales@dndhardware.com,
Jobby Zhang
Mob:0086-137 2599 9617
Email: jobby@dndhardware.com