Flagship guide · 3 min read
Do I Need Fire Rated Internal Steel Doors?
A fire rating is decided by where the door sits, not by what it is made of. Here is how to work out which of your openings need one, and who signs it off.
Fire Rated vs Standard Steel Doors
Same design language, different scope. Here is what actually changes when an opening needs certifying.
3 min read
It is a fair question to ask before committing: what do I give up by specifying the rated version? The honest answer is a little flexibility and a little money, and almost nothing visually.
Side by side
| Standard steel-look | Fire rated | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Slim profile, true bars | Effectively identical |
| Configurations | Hinged, sliding, pivot, bifold, screens | Hinged doorsets and screens |
| Glass | Full decorative range | Certified fire-rated make-ups |
| Pane size | Design led | Limited by certification |
| Hardware | Free choice | Tested set, self-closing required |
| Lead time | Standard | Usually a little longer |
| Cost | Baseline | A premium reflecting testing and hardware |
Mixing both in one house
Most projects use both. Rated doorsets go where the strategy demands them; the sliding, pivot and bifold pieces go everywhere else. Because both come from the same collection, the interior reads as one idea rather than two purchases.
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