Composite doors offer excellent durability, security, and weather resistance, but standard composite doors are not always fireproof or fire-rated.
Fire-rated composite doors do exist in the UK and are engineered to meet fire safety standards, most commonly the FD30 rating which provides 30 minutes of fire resistance. These doors carry certifications like Certifire, ensuring independent third-party testing and regulatory compliance.
If fire safety is a priority for your home or building, it is essential to choose a Certifire-accredited fire-rated composite door. This guide explains what fire-rated composite doors are, the meaning of FD30, the importance of Certifire certification, installation advice, how to identify genuine fire-rated doors, and their benefits.
What Does Fireproof Mean for Doors?
A fireproof door is designed to preserve its strength and prevent the spread of fire and smoke for a specified time under fire conditions. This delay allows people inside the building vital minutes to escape safely.
What Is a Fire-Rated Door?
Fire-rated doors are manufactured and tested to stringent safety standards such as BS 476-22 and EN 1634-1. They include fire-resistant cores, intumescent strips that expand to seal gaps when exposed to heat, and certified fire-rated hardware that prevents fire and smoke from spreading between areas.
In the UK, the British Woodworking Federation oversees certification, granting ratings such as FD30 or FD60, which indicate fire resistance for 30 or 60 minutes.
What Does FD30 Stand For?
FD30 is a fire door rating indicating that the door assembly (door leaf, frame, seals, and hardware) can contain fire and smoke for at least 30 minutes. Correct installation is critical to achieve this rating. There are variants like FD30S, which also provide cold smoke protection. This rating is essential for many residential and commercial buildings to comply with fire safety regulations.
Are Composite Doors Fire Rated?
Standard composite doors focus on aesthetics, durability, and security but are not fire rated by default. Fire-rated composite doors are manufactured with fire-resistant materials such as solid timber cores combined with Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) and fire retardants to meet and exceed fire safety standards.
They undergo rigorous testing to ensure they comply with regulations for use in specific areas or buildings.
Certifire Accreditation: The Gold Standard in Fire Door Certification
Certifire is an independent, third-party accreditation scheme administered by the British Woodworking Federation. Composite fire doors bearing Certifire certification have undergone thorough, ongoing testing and quality control to verify their fire resistance.
This certification provides confidence and assurance to homeowners, builders, and insurers that the door meets all relevant fire safety requirements.
Where Should Composite Fire Doors Be Installed?
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Between garages and living spaces, to prevent vehicle fires from entering the home.
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Separating bedrooms or living areas on different floors in multi-storey homes.
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In flats, shared corridors, and multi-occupancy buildings where fire doors are mandated by building regulations.
Composite Doors vs Wooden Doors in Fire Safety
Compared to timber, composite doors provide better fire resistance. Timber doors warp and break down quickly in a fire. Fire-rated composite doors maintain their integrity longer, limiting smoke and fire spread and offering greater safety.
How to Identify Fire-Rated Composite Doors
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Check for an FD30 or higher fire rating label.
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Confirm certification from recognised bodies like Certifire.
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Ensure professional installation with appropriate fire-rated frames, intumescent seals, and fire-rated hardware.
Additional Benefits of Composite Fire Doors
Besides fire protection, composite fire doors deliver excellent insulation, soundproofing, low maintenance, and use non-toxic materials, reducing harmful smoke hazards during a fire. They also come in various styles and colours for design flexibility.
Final Thoughts: Certifire-Certified FD30 Composite Doors for Ultimate Safety
Composite doors have many benefits but are not automatically fireproof. For reliable fire protection, select composite doors with an FD30 or FD60 fire rating and Certifire accreditation — the UK’s leading fire door certification scheme.
These doors comply with building codes, have passed stringent tests, and offer crucial time to escape fires safely. As fire safety awareness rises, fire-rated composite doors will become more popular, combining security, style, and safety seamlessly.
For more information, explore our tips, learn about fire door types, or start designing your own fire-rated composite door now.
FAQs
Can a composite door be used as a fireproof door?
No, unless you have specifically requested that your composite doors be made fireproof, a standard composite door is not up to code.
However, compared to other types of doors, a composite type does add a bit more protection in terms of fire spreading and giving you time to get out. If you are buying a new door, its fire and heat resistance are important considerations.
Can heat affect a composite door?
Yes. A standard composite door is made with highly durable materials, but this doesn’t make a door heat-resistant. It might take a bit longer to be affected than a standard timber door, but eventually, heat will affect it, unlike dedicated fire rated composite doors.
How can you tell if a door is fireproof?
You need to check if the British Woodworking Federation has given a door a fireproof rating. They are the only authority that can test and assess whether a door is fire-resistant.
Can you get composite fireproof doors for flats?
Yes, composite fire doors for flats are becoming more common as time goes on and they gain popularity. If a fire starts in a flat, it can easily spread through the block of flats it is in, so preparing for any dangers with a fire door can massively increase your safety.
Do front doors need to be fire rated?
No, front doors don't need to be fire rated, but it can be a huge benefit to have in the horrible event of a fire, giving more protection and peace of mind that you can get to safety with a fire proof front door.
Fire Rated Composite Doors - Final Thoughts
Are composite doors fire rated? - No, standard composite doors are not fireproof, so you’ll need to request this feature when ordering your door if it’s something you truly want.
However, we might see a shift as composite doors grow in popularity; a standard composite door might just be fireproof if needed.
Check out our door blog for more info on door selection and which one might suit your specific property, or click the button below to design and order your door online in minutes.
