Effective fire-resisting doors (see diagram left) are vital to ensure that the occupants can evacuate to a place of safety. Correctly specified and well-fitted doors will hold back fire and smoke, preventing escape routes becoming unusable, as well as preventing the fire spreading from one
area to another.

Fire-resisting doors are necessary in any doorway located in a fire-resisting structure.

Most internal doors are constructed of timber. These will give some limited protection against fire spread, but only a purpose-built fire-resisting door that has been tested to an approved standard will provide the necessary protection.

Metal fire-resisting doors are also available and specific guidance for these follows. All fire-resisting doors are rated by their performance when tested to an appropriate standard.

The level of protection provided by the door is measured, primarily by determining the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity of the door assembly, together with its resistance to the passage of hot gases and flame.

It may be possible to upgrade the fire resistance of existing doors. Additional notes and guidance is available on Glazing, Hinges and Self Closing doors and devices from RES.