What are the requirements for a fire-rated door?
• The wall, frame, and door all have to be fire rated. This is self explanatory as it would not make much sense to put a labeled door in a non rated wall just as you can’t put a non labeled door in a rated wall and call the opening fire rated. The purpose of a fire rated opening is to retard fire for a specific period of time (see below for different ratings) so all components of the opening will have to be rated. • The door must be self closing. If the door is left open during a fire, then that opening cannot retard the fire as it was meant to do so the door has to close after somebody passes through it. This is usually done by a door closer or, in some cases, spring hinges. Both serve the same purpose in that the door will close and serve it’s purpose of holding back the fire. • The door must be self latching. Push and pull plates cannot be used on a fire rated door. The door has to latch into the frame when closed so it stays shut until it is manually opened. This prevents the door
