What Is a Fire Door? What to Know Before Installing One
Ramp up your fire protection
Fire doors have safety features that slow fires and prevent them from spreading.
Fire ratings indicate how long a fire door can withstand a fire.
A fire door won’t work if it’s not fitted properly.
Fire doors cost anywhere from $400 to $900 on average.
Be sure to check your local building codes before installing a fire door.
There are certain safety measures that can greatly help if a fire breaks out, and a fire door is one of them. But what is a fire door, exactly? Fire doors are built to withstand exposure to smoke and fire, allowing you and your family extra time to evacuate. Read on to find out more about how much it costs to install a fire door, what to know before installation, and the pros and cons to consider.
What Are Fire Doors?
Fire doors are just what they sound like—doors that have added safety features to slow or prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide. In addition to giving you more time to exit safely if a fire were to break out, these doors limit the amount of fumes and smoke that can enter your home. Some fire doors release automatically when a fire alarm sounds, but others are not automated and must remain closed.
Fire doors are constructed of wood and steel, though some can be made from glass. Both the door frame and slab must meet certain requirements to earn a fire rating, which indicates how long the door can withstand fire and smoke. These ratings range from 45 minutes to three hours of resistance.
Fire-Resistive vs. Fire-Protective Doors
Fire-resistive doors block radiant heat in addition to smoke and flames, keeping the adjoining room cooler in the event of a fire and giving people more time to escape. The glazing, or the glass in these doors, doesn’t have size restrictions and can be as large as needed for the home.
Fire-protective doors block smoke and flames but allow radiant heat to penetrate the adjoining room. The glazing in this style of fire door has size limitations, so it can’t be greater than 25% of the total wall. Both types of fire doors must meet specific test standards to qualify as a fire door.
What to Know Before Installing a Fire Door
While fire doors provide some peace of mind, a severe fire can still melt even the highest-grade steel. Also, a fire door won’t be of any use to you if the closing mechanism isn’t working or if you leave the door open.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering replacing your interior doors with fire doors.
The Door’s Rating
Fire doors have intumescent strips that activate and swell when they sense excessive heat. These strips determine a fire door’s rating. Ratings range from 45 minutes to three hours, though door companies can customize your door’s rating. These ratings are just as significant as fire extinguisher ratings.
The Door’s Placement
It’s recommended that you install a fire door between sleeping areas and places where a fire is most likely to break out. Most fire doors are interior doors that lead into the attached garage, but other possible locations include the top and bottom of stairwells or at either end of long hallways. If you have a two-story home, fire doors become even more important, as upper levels can be difficult to evacuate.
Whether the Door Is Self-Sealing
Some fire doors expand, creating a seal between rooms so that the door can’t be opened. Self-sealing doors may be a good choice for a door that shuts off the garage from the house. This way, residents can use a different door to exit the home or the garage.
On the other hand, if the room doesn’t have another exit, a self-sealing door is definitely not a good choice.
Local Building Codes
Finally, check your local building codes before installing a fire door in your house. They may specify a minimum required rating for certain types of entryways. Consult the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for their standards for fire doors, as well. You’ll want to have this information before installing an entryway door or learning how to install a storm door. A door installation pro knowledgeable and experienced with fire doors can help you complete this project.
Fire Door Pros
The benefits are clear. Fire doors can help keep your family and property safe from fire and smoke. When closed, they provide a barrier to prevent fire from spreading, and when opened, they provide a crucial means of escape.
Safety: Fire doors save lives by stopping or slowing a spreading fire.
Prevent damage: Aside from protecting you and your loved ones, fire doors can help protect your property from smoke or fire damage.
Soundproof: Depending on the fire door’s rating, it may be completely soundproof, sealing out sounds from outside if used as a garage door or area to seal off bedrooms.
Many options: When you think about fire doors, you may think they’re unattractive, but they’re available in many styles and materials to fit your home’s aesthetic.
Increased property value: Because of the protection fire doors provide, they often increase a home’s value.
Fire Door Cons
There are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind with fire doors. Installing fire doors might not be the best choice for everyone.
Pricey: Fire doors can be expensive and thus may not be suitable for every budget. You’ll also need to hire a local pro to install the door.
Require regular inspections: Fire doors must be inspected regularly for safety, which can be costly.
Only as good as their fit: Installing a fire door doesn’t automatically protect your home. If it’s not a good fit, doesn’t latch, or is left open, it won’t work.
May not provide long protection: Depending on the fire rating you can afford, your door may not provide protection long enough for dire circumstances.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Added protection from fires | High cost |
| Soundproof | Regular inspections are necessary |
| Wide range of style and material options | Must be fitted and installed properly to be effective |
| Increased home value | May not offer much extended protection time |
Cost to Install a Fire Door in Your Home
Fire doors cost an average of $400 to $900. For an exact quote, contact a door installation expert near you.
A fire door’s cost depends on many factors, including:
Location
Fire rating and material
Door size
Necessary modifications, such as modifications to the frame or door jamb
Delivery costs
Installation costs
Since a fire door can be lifesaving in a fire, it’s one area of home improvement that you shouldn’t cut corners on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire doors are constructed to have certain resistance levels regarding fire. A traditional door can typically resist fire for less than one minute, whereas fire doors can resist it for 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the fire door rating. Fire doors give you and your family a better chance of safely escaping during a fire than standard doors.
You might be able to turn a normal door into a fire-rated door, but you’re better off purchasing one that meets all NFPA 80 standards. If you want to DIY a normal door into a fire door, you’ll need a self-adhesive intumescent seal, metal hinges, fire-resistant glazing, and a self-closing device, but you’re always better off buying a certified fire door.
Many cities have building codes with fire door mandates requiring a fire door between the garage and the house. However, laws and codes across the nation can vary widely. This is why it’s important to contact a local pro or get in touch with officials in your area. Both will have a good understanding of what’s required locally.
