Fire Door Standards: A Comprehensive Guide to Fire Resistance, Installation, and Compliance
Introduction: YK Fire Rated Door Manufacturer Perspective
At YK fire rated door manufacturer, our commitment to precision-engineered fire safety solutions compels us to closely follow — and often exceed — evolving national fire door standards. This guide offers a comprehensive breakdown of the most current requirements, especially as they pertain to steel fire doors, including metal fire doors, steel fire resistance doors, and stainless steel fire doors.
The latest national standard supersedes the earlier GB 12955-1991 (focused on steel fire doors) and GB 14101-1993 (centered on wooden fire doors), ushering in a more detailed and performance-based framework for fire-resistant door systems.
Key Revisions in the Fire Door Standards
The updated standards—particularly Chapter 5 and Clause 7.2, which are mandatory—introduce several significant changes compared to the prior versions:
- Material Classification: Fire doors are now categorized by material type (see 4.1), reflecting the growing prominence of metal fire doors and hybrid materials like steel-wood combinations.
- Performance-Based Fire Resistance: The new classifications include:
- Insulated Fire Doors (Class A)
- Partially Insulated Fire Doors (Class B)
- Non-Insulated Fire Doors (Class C)
- Material Specifications: Clearer requirements now exist for both metal and non-metal components, covering combustibility and smoke toxicity standards (see 5.2).
- Removal of External Door Performance Criteria: Specifications like wind pressure and water permeability no longer apply to wooden fire doors used externally.
- Hardware Standards: Enhanced performance criteria are detailed for:
- Fire locks (5.3.1)
- Fire-rated hinges (5.3.2)
- Door closers (5.3.3)
- Fire-resistant glass (5.3.7)
- Structural Testing & Quality Control: Rigorous methods are introduced for assessing:
- Door leaf quality (5.5, 6.6)
- Width deflection (5.7, 6.8.3)
- Door/frame gap tolerance (5.8.2.6, 6.9.3)
- Flexibility and reliability (5.9, 5.10, 6.10, 6.11)
- Torsional rigidity and overlap dimensions (6.8.2, 6.9.1)
Additionally, normative appendices (A through D) provide technical details and testing methodologies crucial for manufacturers like YK to maintain compliance.
Scope of Application
This standard applies to fire doors made from various materials, including steel, wood, and steel-wood composites. Although it primarily targets hinged doors, it offers guidelines relevant for other mechanisms. At YK fire rated door manufacturer, our engineering team designs each steel fire resistance door with these compliance metrics in mind—ensuring not only certification but real-world fire containment reliability.
Essential Technical References
For full implementation of the standard, several reference documents are indispensable:
- Steel Material Specifications:
- GB/T 708 (Cold-rolled steel)
- GB/T 709 (Hot-rolled steel)
- Sampling and Quality Testing:
- GB/T 2828.1 (Sampling Procedures)
- Fire Test Protocols:
- GB 7633 (Fire Resistance Testing of Doors/Shutters)
- GB 8624 & GB/T 8625 (Combustion performance & Incombustibility testing)
- Terminology and Dimensions:
- GB/T 5823, GB/T 5824 (Door/Window standards)
- GB/T 5907 (Fire Protection Terms)
These foundational references support every aspect of compliant fire door manufacturing, from materials sourcing to product labeling and post-production handling.
Institutional Oversight and Drafting Contributors
The standard was drafted under the authority of the National Technical Committee on Fire Protection (SAC/TC113/SC8), with input from reputable institutions including the Ministry of Public Security’s Tianjin Fire Research Institute and leading manufacturers such as Shenyang Qiangdun and Shenzhen LanDun. As a recognized industry participant, YK fire rated door manufacturer draws from these shared resources and builds upon them through continuous innovation in fire door design and production.
Compliance Considerations for Steel Fire Door Manufacturers
It’s important to note that certain technical specifications may intersect with patented technologies. While the standard-issuing authority does not assume responsibility for identifying these, manufacturers must conduct due diligence during product development.
For YK, this means not only aligning our stainless steel fire doors with national benchmarks, but also ensuring that each metal fire door we produce respects both legal and technical boundaries. This approach safeguards our clients’ projects from both compliance failures and potential legal exposure.ks
3 Terms and Definitions
The terms and definitions established in GB/T 5823-1986 and GB/T 5907-1986, as well as the following terms and definitions, apply to this Fire Door Standards
3.1
Hinged Fire Doors fire resistant side hung doorsets
Consisting of door frames, door leaves, and fire-resistant hardware accessories such as fire hinges and fire locks, with hinges as the axis perpendicular to the ground, which can rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to open or close the door leaves.
3.2
Wooden Fire Doors fire resistant timber doorsets
Doors made of flame-retardant wood or flame-retardant wood products for door frames, door leaf skeletons, door leaf panels, and if filled with materials, filled with fire-resistant and heat-insulating materials that are non-toxic and harmless to the human body, equipped with fire-resistant hardware accessories, having a certain level of fire resistance performance.
3.3
Steel Fire Doors fire resistant steel doorsets
Doors made of steel materials for door frames, door leaf skeletons, and door leaf panels, and if filled with materials, filled with fire-resistant and heat-insulating materials that are non-toxic and harmless to the human body, equipped with fire-resistant hardware accessories, having a certain level of fire resistance performance.
3.4
Steel-Wood Fire Doors fire resistant timber doorsets with steel structure
Doors made of steel and flame-retardant wood materials or flame-retardant wood products for door frames, door leaf skeletons, door leaf panels, and if filled with materials, filled with fire-resistant and heat-insulating materials that are non-toxic and harmless to the human body, equipped with fire-resistant hardware accessories, having a certain level of fire resistance performance.
3.5
Other Material Fire Doors other material fire resistant doorsets
Doors made of inorganic non-combustible materials other than steel, flame-retardant wood, or flame-retardant wood products for door frames, door leaf skeletons, door leaf panels, and if filled with materials, filled with fire-resistant and heat-insulating materials that are non-toxic and harmless to the human body, equipped with fire-resistant hardware accessories, having a certain level of fire resistance performance.
3.6
Insulated Fire Doors (Class A) fully insulated doorsets
Fire doors that meet both fire integrity and insulation requirements within a specified time.
3.7
Partially Insulated Fire Doors (Class B) partially insulated doorsets
3.8 Non-Insulated Fire Doors (Class C)
Fire doors that can meet the requirements of fire integrity within a specified time.
4 Classification, Codes, and Markings
4.1 Classification and Codes by Material
4.1.1 Wooden fire doors, code: MFM;
4.1.2 Steel fire doors, code: GFM;
4.1.3 Steel-wood fire doors, code: GMFM;
4.1.4 Other material fire doors, code: FM. ( represents the specific description of other materials in uppercase pinyin letters)
4.2 Classification and Codes by the Number of Door Leaves
4.2.1 Single-leaf fire doors, code: 1.
4.2.2 Double-leaf fire doors, code: 2.
4.2.3 Multi-leaf fire doors (fire doors with more than two door leaves), the code is represented by the number of door leaves in digits.
4.3 Classification and Codes by Structural Type
4.3.1 Fire doors with fire-resistant glass on the door leaf, code: b.
4.3.2 Fire door frames: Double-groove frames are coded as s, single-groove frames as d.
4.3.3 Fire doors with vision panels, code: l.
4.3.4 Fire doors with glass and vision panels, code: bl.
4.3.5 Fire doors without glass, code omitted.
4.4 Classification and Codes by Fire Resistance Performance
The classification and codes of fire doors by fire resistance performance are shown in Table 1.
4.5 Other Codes and Markings
4.5.1 Other Codes
4.5.1.1 Bottom frame code
Fire doors with a bottom frame are coded as k.
4.5.1.2 Code for the closing direction of hinged door leaves
The code for the closing direction of hinged door leaves is shown in Table 2.
Note: For double-leaf fire doors, the closing direction code is represented by the closing direction of the door leaf where the lock is installed.
Table 1 Classification by Fire Resistance Performance
| Type | Fire Resistance Performance | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated Fire Doors (Class A) | Fire insulation ≥ 0.50 h Fire integrity ≥ 0.50 h | A0.50 (Class C) |
| Fire insulation ≥ 1.00 h Fire integrity ≥ 1.00 h | A1.00 (Class B) | |
| Fire insulation ≥ 1.50 h Fire integrity ≥ 1.50 h | A1.50 (Class A) | |
| Fire insulation ≥ 2.00 h Fire integrity ≥ 2.00 h | A2.00 | |
| Fire insulation ≥ 3.00 h Fire integrity ≥ 3.00 h | A3.00 | |
| Partially Insulated Fire Doors (Class B) | Fire insulation ≥ 0.50 h Fire integrity ≥ 1.00 h | B1.00 |
| Fire integrity ≥ 1.50 h (insulation not specified) | B1.50 | |
| Fire integrity ≥ 2.00 h | B2.00 | |
| Fire integrity ≥ 3.00 h | B3.00 | |
| Non-Insulated Fire Doors (Class C) | Fire integrity ≥ 1.00 h (no insulation required) | C1.00 |
| Fire integrity ≥ 1.50 h | C1.50 | |
| Fire integrity ≥ 2.00 h | C2.00 | |
| Fire integrity ≥ 3.00 h | C3.00 |
🔍 Fire Integrity = Ability to block flames & smoke
🧱 Fire Insulation = Ability to prevent heat transfer
➰ Hinged Fire Door Closing Direction Codes
For hinged doors, the closing direction is coded numerically, which helps ensure proper hardware configuration during production and installation.
| Code | Closing Direction |
|---|---|
| 5 | Door leaf closes clockwise |
| 6 | Door leaf closes counterclockwise |
🏷️ Fire Door Standards Marking Rules & Example Interpretations
Every fire door must be clearly marked with a code that reflects its structure, performance, and hardware. The marking system typically includes:
Format:[Material Code]-[Width][Height]-[Structure]-[Hardware][Closing Direction][Fire Code]-[Leaf Count]
✅ Example 1:
GFM-0924-bslk5 A1.50 (Class A)-1
- GFM: Steel fire door
- 0924: Opening width 900 mm, height 2400 mm
- bslk: Glass panel, double-groove frame, vision panel, bottom frame
- 5: Clockwise closing
- A1.50: Fire resistance: 1.50 h integrity & insulation (Class A)
- 1: Single-leaf
✅ Example 2:
MFM-1221-d6B1.00-2
- MFM: Wooden fire door
- 1221: Opening width 1200 mm, height 2100 mm
- d: No glass, single-groove, no vision panel or bottom frame
- 6: Counterclockwise closing
- B1.00: Partially insulated, fire integrity ≥ 1.00 h
- 2: Double-leaf
📐 Fire Door Dimensions & Special Orders
Fire door specifications are based on the clear opening size, which must follow national standard GB/T 5824. Custom dimensions may be negotiated between the manufacturer and buyer depending on architectural or usage needs.
6.8.4 Difference in Diagonal Lengths of Door Frame Inner Cutouts |L1′-L2′|
Measured with a steel tape measure.
Figure 13 Schematic Diagram of Measuring Positions for Diagonal Lengths of Door Frame Inner Cutouts
6.9 Fit Tolerance
6.9.1 Overlap Dimension Between Door Leaf and Frame (see Figure 14)
6.9.1.1 In the state of use, install the test piece on the test frame with the door leaf in a closed position, mark the middle of the left, right, and top intersections of the door leaf and frame with a scribe, then measure the overlap width with a steel ruler.
6.9.1.2 The overlap width between the door leaf and frame is taken as the minimum measured value.
6.9.2 Clearance Between Door Leaf and Frame
In the state of use, install the test piece on the test frame with the door leaf in a closed position. Measure the clearance on the hinge side, lock side, top frame, bottom frame, and between double or multiple door leaves with a feeler gauge, taking the maximum thickness that can be inserted as the measurement value.
6.9.3 Gap Between Door Leaf and Frame (see Figure 14)
In the state of use, install the test piece on the test frame with the door leaf in a closed position. Measure the gap between the door leaf and frame with a feeler gauge, taking the maximum thickness that can be inserted as the measurement value.
Figure 14 Schematic Diagram of Overlap Dimension and Gap Between Door Leaf and Frame
6.9.4 Difference in Plane Elevation Between Frame and Door Leaf on the Opening Side R
6.9.4.1 With the door leaf closed, measure the difference in plane elevation between the frame and door leaf using a vernier caliper. The measurement positions are indicated in Figure 15 at positions R1, R2, R3…R6.
6.9.4.2 The difference in plane elevation R between the frame and door leaf is taken as the extreme value of the measured values.
Figure 15 Schematic Diagram of Measurement Positions for Difference in Plane Elevation Between Frame and Door Leaf
6.10 Flexibility
6.10.1 Opening and Closing Flexibility
With the fire door in use, install the test piece on the test frame and assess the opening and closing flexibility by hand feel and visual inspection.
6.10.2 Door Leaf Opening Force F
In the state of use, install the test piece on the test frame with the door leaf in a closed position. Apply a force gauge to the door handle perpendicular to the door leaf and pull the door open, measuring and recording the door leaf opening force F.
6.11 Reliability
6.11.1 Test Frame
A adjustable frame to suit the installation of fire doors of different sizes and specifications. The frame should have sufficient rigidity to avoid deformation that could affect test results during the test.
6.11.2 Test Piece
Includes the door frame, door leaf, and fire hardware accessories such as fire locks, door closers, and sequence selectors that should be equipped in actual use.
6.11.3 Test Procedure
6.11.3.1 Fix the test piece on the test frame.
6.11.3.2 Opening and closing the door leaf counts as one operation, with a cycle time of 8 s to 14 s and an opening angle of 70°. Record the number of operations. During the test, note whether any components of the fire door become loose, fall off, deform severely, or jam when opening and closing.
6.12 Fire Resistance Performance
6.12.1 Test Procedure
In the state of use, install the test piece on the test frame and check the test piece before the fire resistance test; the door leaf should open flexibly. Close the door leaf using a door closer or other closing device so that the fire lock latch engages, without locking the door leaf with a key; for special-use doors (e.g., utility shaft doors), the door leaf may be locked with a key, which should not remain in the lock.
Conduct the fire resistance test in accordance with GB/T 7633.
Note: The test piece should be inspected for fit tolerance, flexibility, and fire resistance performance in the same frame and state.
6.12.2 Criteria for Fire Resistance Performance
6.12.2.1 Fire Integrity
To be determined in accordance with GB/T 7633.
6.12.2.2 Fire Insulation
To be determined in accordance with GB/T 7633.
7 Inspection Rules
7.1 Factory Inspection
7.1.1 Routine factory inspection items include 5.1, 5.2.2.3, 5.2.3.3, 5.2.4.2, 5.4.2, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.7, which should be individually inspected for each fire door’s frame and leaf; routine inspection items for fire doors upon installation and handover include 5.8, 5.9, and the installation conditions of accessories in 5.3, which should be inspected for each fire door; 5.10 is a sampling inspection item, and the product sampling method should be established by the manufacturer based on production volume, in accordance with the relevant requirements of GB/T 2828.1.
7.1.2 Fire door products must be individually inspected and passed by the manufacturer’s quality inspection department according to the factory inspection items, and a certificate of conformity must be issued before the product can leave the factory and be accepted and handed over for use.
7.2 Type Inspection
7.2.1 Inspection items are listed in Table 6, and inspections should be conducted in sequence according to the standard’s requirements.
7.2.2 The minimum inspection batch for fire doors is 9 units, drawn from the manufacturer’s finished goods warehouse.
7.2.3 Type inspection should be conducted under any of the following conditions:
a) Trial identification for new products or products transferred to production in a new factory;
b) When there are changes in structure, materials, production processes, key procedures, and processing methods that affect its performance;
c) Normal production, at least once every three years;
d) When production resumes after a stoppage of more than one year;
e) When factory inspection results differ significantly from the previous type inspection;
f) In the event of a major quality incident;
g) When required by quality supervision authorities.
7.2.4 Decision Criteria
If the inspection results listed in Table 6 do not include any Class A defects, and the sum of Class B and Class C defects does not exceed four items, with no more than one Class B defect, the product is deemed qualified. Otherwise, the product is deemed not qualified.
Table 6 Inspection Items
✅ Comprehensive Fire Door Inspection Checklist Based on China’s National Standard (GB Standard)
When manufacturing or purchasing steel fire doors, especially for commercial or industrial use, compliance with national fire safety standards is critical. In China, the relevant requirements are clearly defined in the GB 12955 standard for fire doors. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the fire door inspection items, requirement clauses, test methods, and defect classifications, helping manufacturers, contractors, and inspectors ensure their products meet legal and safety expectations.
🔍 Why Fire Door Inspection Matters
Steel fire doors are the first line of defense in fire emergencies. They must not only block flames and smoke but also maintain structural integrity under extreme heat. Without standardized inspections, even certified fire doors can fail due to poor material quality or incorrect installation of fire-rated hardware.
A rigorous inspection checklist ensures that every component—from the door core to the fire lock, from the frame dimensions to the opening force—is evaluated and documented.
📋 Fire Door Inspection Items: Full List with Clauses & Defect Grades
Below is a categorized list of 39 essential inspection items for fire doors, based on China’s national standard. Each item includes its corresponding requirement clause, test method clause, and defect classification (A = critical defect, B = major defect, C = minor defect).
| No. | Inspection Item | Requirement Clause | Test Method Clause | Defect Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filling Material | 5.2.1 | 6.3.1 | A |
| 2 | Wood | 5.2.2 | 6.3.2 | A |
| 3 | Engineered Wood | 5.2.3 | 6.3.3 | A |
| 4 | Steel | 5.2.4 | 6.3.4 | A |
| 5 | Other Material | 5.2.5 | 6.3.5 | A |
| 6 | Adhesive | 5.2.6 | 6.3.6 | A |
| 7 | Fire Lock | 5.3.1 | 6.4.1 | B |
| 8 | Fire Hinge | 5.3.2 | 6.4.2 | B |
| 9 | Fire Door Closer | 5.3.3 | 6.4.3 | B |
| 10 | Fire Sequencer | 5.3.4 | 6.4.4 | B |
| 11 | Fire Bolt | 5.3.5 | 6.4.5 | C |
| 12 | Cover Strip | 5.3.6 | 6.4.6 | B |
| 13 | Fire Seal | 5.3.7 | 6.4.7 | A |
| 14 | Fire Glass | 5.3.8 | 6.4.8 | A |
| 15 | Manufacturing Process & Appearance | 5.4 | 6.5 | C |
| 16 | Door Leaf Weight | 5.5 | 6.6 | A |
| 17–26 | Dimensional Deviations & Warping | 5.6–5.7 | 6.7–6.8 | B–C |
| 27–35 | Clearance & Fit Tests | 5.8 | 6.9 | B–C |
| 36 | Opening & Closing Flexibility | 5.9.1 | 6.10.1 | A |
| 37 | Opening Force | 5.9.2 | 6.10.2 | B |
| 38 | Reliability | 5.10 | 6.11 | A |
| 39 | Fire Resistance Performance | 5.11 | 6.12 | A |
✅ Tip: Focus especially on items classified as “A” defects, which directly impact life safety in case of fire.
🔧 Fire Hardware Requirements (Based on Appendices A–D)
Fire-rated hardware plays a vital role in maintaining a fire door’s integrity. The GB standard includes additional fire resistance performance and testing requirements for the following components:
- Fire Locks: Must match or exceed the fire rating of the door. No deformation, no flame leakage, and must keep the door closed during testing.
- Fire Hinges: Should remain structurally stable during high-heat exposure with no displacement or flame penetration.
- Fire Sequencers: Ensure proper sequential closure of double doors. Must resist deformation or melting during fire tests.
- Fire Bolts: Maintain door locking integrity under fire. No deformation, melting, or structural failure allowed.
📦 Marking, Packaging, and Storage Requirements
To comply with full certification, manufacturers must ensure that:
- Each fire door is permanently labeled with key information (model, standard, date, manufacturer).
- Packaging must protect products from impact, moisture, and corrosion during shipping.
- Doors must be stored in a dry, ventilated area with controlled stacking (door leaves ≤ 1.2m, frames ≤ 1.5m in height).
✅ Conclusion: Ensuring Full Compliance with Fire Door Standards
Whether you’re a steel fire door manufacturer, industrial builder, or facility safety officer, understanding these inspection criteria is key to quality control and legal compliance. Products that pass the inspection checklist not only safeguard lives but also enhance your reputation and reduce liability.
At YK Fire Rated Door Manufacturer, we specialize in producing fully certified metal fire doors, rigorously tested according to national and international fire safety standards. For customized solutions or detailed testing reports, feel free to contact our technical team.
Conclusion: Engineering Safety with Precision-Fire Door Standards
By aligning closely with national standards and integrating rigorous in-house testing, YK fire rated door manufacturer ensures every steel fire door we deliver performs reliably in real fire conditions. Our commitment goes beyond compliance; it’s about crafting door systems that serve as critical lines of defense in high-risk environments.
Whether you need a steel fire resistance door for an industrial facility or a stainless steel fire door for a high-security commercial project, YK stands ready to deliver certified, high-performance solutions that meet today’s most demanding standards.
