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Fire Door Specifications: What Every Architect and Developer Must Know
Fire-rated entrance doors are required by building codes in a wide range of occupancy types—from multi-unit residential buildings and commercial lobbies to hotels, healthcare facilities, and high-rise developments. Understanding fire door classifications prevents costly specification errors and ensures regulatory compliance.
The EI Classification System
European fire door performance is expressed using the EI classification under EN 13501-2:
- E (Integrity): The door prevents the passage of flames and hot gases for the stated period
- I (Insulation): The door limits heat transfer on the unexposed face to ≤ 140°C average rise for the stated period
| Classification | Integrity Duration | Insulation Duration | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 30 | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | Apartment building corridors, small commercial |
| EI 60 | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | High-rise residential, hotels, retail |
| EI 90 | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | Healthcare, critical infrastructure, large commercial |
| EI 120 | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | Industrial, high-hazard, specialist applications |
Can a Fire Door Also Be a Luxury Door?
The short answer: absolutely yes. The engineering challenge is integrating fire-resistant materials—intumescent seals, fire-rated glazing, steel frames—with premium aesthetics. KINGSHIELD’s fire-rated range achieves EI 30 to EI 90 classification while maintaining the same visual quality and finish options as our non-fire-rated luxury collections.
Key Specification Points
- Fire door assemblies must be tested and certified as a complete system—leaf, frame, hardware, seals, and glazing together
- Intumescent seals must be installed correctly—gaps or omissions void the certification
- Door closers are mandatory for most fire door applications—ensure they are compatible with the certified assembly
- Glazing area is typically limited to maximize the fire-resistant panel area
Contact KINGSHIELD’s technical team for fire door specifications, certification documents, and project-specific compliance advice.
