Tag Archives: 60 minute fire door

Understanding the 60-Minute Fire Door Requirement: Navigating Code Confusion with Confidence

At YK Door Industry Co., Ltd., a trusted fire rated door manufacturer, one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of fire protection codes is the requirement for a 60-minute fire door. This confusion often arises from key questions: Is a 60-minute rating truly necessary, or would a 45-minute fire door suffice? Must the glazing be fire-resistant or fire-protective? Is it acceptable to exceed 100 square inches in the vision panel of a commercial metal door? What about the compliance rules for sidelites and transoms?

Such inquiries are common, and while the International Building Code (IBC) does provide answers, interpreting them can be daunting. To demystify the requirements, this article—based on interpretations of the 2006, 2009, and 2012 IBC versions—will break down fire door classifications by application (e.g., doors, sidelites, transoms, openings) and by assembly (e.g., fire partitions, fire barriers, exterior walls).

Metal Fire Door Applications in 1-Hour Rated Walls

According to the IBC, the requirement for a 60-minute metal fire door in a 1-hour fire-rated wall is quite specific. In many cases, a steel fire resistance door rated for 45 minutes or even 20 minutes may be sufficient, depending on the context. The table provided in Section 716.5 of the IBC outlines fire door performance standards and acceptable fireproof door rating systems.

Key insights from Table 716.5 include:

• Fire-resistant glazing tested per ASTM E-119 is acceptable, limited to the maximum size tested.

• Exceptions apply where the structure has a full sprinkler system and when the fire-rated glazing complies with Section 716.5.5.

In other words, while 60-minute fire doors commercial applications do exist—especially in critical fire barrier installations—most commercial metal doors in fire partitions or smoke barriers only require 20- or 45-minute ratings. These nuances are critical when selecting the correct stainless steel fire door or industrial metal doors for your project.

The 60-Minute Fire Rated Application: Vision Panel Size and Code Clarifications

At YK Door Industry Co., Ltd., our technical team frequently addresses questions concerning vision panel size limitations for 60-minute fire doors, especially in commercial applications. While many 1-hour rated wall assemblies can accommodate a 45-minute metal fire door, certain critical fire barriers—such as stairwells or exit enclosures—still require a true 60-minute door, particularly in high-occupancy commercial and institutional settings.

Vision Panel Limitations in Metal Fire Doors

Under the 2012 IBC, the vision panel of a commercial metal door with glass rated for 60 minutes is strictly limited to 100 square inches when using fire protection rated glazing. This includes materials like filmed wired glass, laminated ceramics, or specialty tempered safety glass. These glazing types meet fire-protection standards but do not provide full heat insulation, which is a core requirement in certain UL-classified assemblies.

However, if an architect specifies fire resistance rated glazing—such as filled-tempered glass units tested to ASTM E-119, like SuperLite II-XL—this size limitation can be surpassed. These materials qualify under fire-resistant door ratings and are classified based on performance under heat and impact for extended durations.

In contrast, under the 2006 and 2009 IBC editions, larger glazed vision panels could be used in 60-minute steel fire doors for exit enclosures or passageways, but only when the entire building is protected with an automatic sprinkler system. This distinction was eliminated in the 2012 IBC: regardless of sprinkler coverage, fire protection glazing is now capped at 100 square inches in door panels.

Fireproof Door Rating System & UL Compliance

For architects and specifiers working on fire doors commercial projects, especially those involving industrial metal doors or metal doors in Miami’s hurricane-prone districts, understanding the UL fire door classification system is critical. Products like SuperLite II-XL in GPX Framing—approved by both UL and Intertek/WHI—demonstrate compliance with stringent fire-rated door classification standards.

This compliance ensures the entire assembly—door, glazing, and frame—meets the required fire door performance standards, a necessity in applications such as commercial metal doors with glass in stairwells or transit corridors.

Case Insight: In a recent 1-hour stairwell installation, a fully code-compliant solution was achieved using SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing, where both components held UL listings and passed ASTM E-119 testing. Importantly, all other openings within the same stairwell were required to meet a 1-hour fire resistance standard, highlighting the systemic nature of fire-resistant door ratings.

B. Sidelites and Transoms in a 60-Minute Door Assembly

The International Building Code (IBC) clearly differentiates between fire protection glazing and fire resistance glazing when used in sidelites and transoms adjacent to 60-minute fire doors. Unlike door vision panels—where fire protection glass may be permitted within strict size limitations—the IBC explicitly prohibits the use of fire protection glazing in sidelites and transoms surrounding a 60-minute rated door.

UL-Classified Fire-Resistive Glass for Sidelites and Transoms

Only fire-resistive glazing tested to ASTM E-119 or UL 263, such as SuperLite II-XL, may be used in sidelites and transoms within these 1-hour wall assemblies. These advanced fire-rated glass systems provide the necessary performance under full exposure to fire and thermal conditions and are capable of exceeding 100 sq. inches—unlike conventional fire protection rated products like filmed ceramics or specialty tempered glass.

Case Study Example: In a 1-hour stairwell project, architects achieved full code compliance by specifying SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing for all sidelites and fixed window openings. To complement this, the door’s larger-than-standard vision panel was installed using the same fire-resistive glazing within HMTR Framing. All components were manufactured in the U.S. by YK Door, UL- and Intertek/WHI-listed to ensure compliance.

Understanding Fire Window vs. Fire-Resistive Wall Assembly Testing

To further clarify the code requirements, it’s essential to distinguish between fire windows and fire-rated wall assemblies, based on their testing standards and labeling systems:

• Fire windows, marked “OH,” are generally permitted only in interior 1-hour walls when the code allows 45-minute openings. However, their total glazed area must not exceed 25% of the wall surface.

• Wall assemblies, marked “W,” meet rigorous ASTM E-119 criteria and are used where fire windows are explicitly disallowed, such as in exit corridors, stairwells, and shaft enclosures.

Important Clarification for 60-Minute Glazing Assemblies

The IBC does not recognize 60-minute fire windows tested to NFPA 257 or UL 9. If the code calls for a 1-hour rated wall with openings, only a 45-minute fire window may be permitted—but only under specific circumstances and area limits. In cases where fire windows are not allowed, a 60-minute fire-resistive glazing assembly must be installed, meeting ASTM E-119 standards and appropriate for true 1-hour fire-rated wall glazing.

In short: Where 45-minute fire-rated windows are permitted, fire protection glazing may be used (up to 25% of the wall). Where 60-minute fire-resistive performance is required, only tested wall assemblies qualify—not fire windows.

C. Fire Window Openings and Walls – Interior and Exterior Applications

45-minute fire windows are permitted in certain—but not all—interior 1-hour rated walls. When allowed, these windows must not exceed 25% of the common wall area.

Interior 1-Hour Fire Barriers and Fire Windows

For most 1-hour fire barriers—such as exit access stairways, interior exit stairways, interior exit ramps, and exit passageway walls—45-minute fire protection windows are not allowed. However, footnote ‘a’ in the code allows an important exception: fire resistance rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E-119 or UL 263 may be used in these locations, provided they meet the full 60-minute fire rating of the wall assembly. This allows architects and designers to specify fire-resistive glazing that matches the wall’s rating for sidelites and transoms, ensuring code compliance (see Photos 2 & 3 for project examples).

For 1-hour fire partitions, smoke barriers, incidental use areas, and mixed occupancy separations, 45-minute fire protection windows are permitted as long as their total glazed area does not exceed 25% of the common wall area. If the design requires exceeding this limit, the code mandates the use of 1-hour fire resistance rated glazing, tested to ASTM E-119, such as SuperLite II-XL.

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Exterior 1-Hour Wall Fire Window Requirements

Where the code allows fire rated window openings in 1-hour exterior walls, a 45-minute fire rating is required for the window and glazing, with the same 25% area limitation on width and length. If glazing openings exceed these limits, the required rating rises to 60 minutes, and the glazing assembly must be tested to ASTM E-119.

Important Note: Even when openings are not permitted—such as exterior walls adjacent to property lines within 0 to 3 feet—the code allows the use of 1-hour fire-resistive glazed assemblies tested to ASTM E-119.

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Project Examples

• Photo 4: Openings in this 1-hour exit corridor comprise less than 25% of the wall area, so 45-minute fire windows were allowed. Architects specified SuperLite II-XL 45 in HM Framing to meet code. These products are manufactured by YK Door in the USA and carry UL and Intertek/WHI listings.

• Photo 5: This exit corridor features glazing exceeding 25% of the wall area; therefore, 45-minute fire windows were not permitted. To comply, the architects used ASTM E-119 rated SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing. These assemblies are also made by YK Door and carry necessary certifications.

• Photo 6: Exterior window openings near a property line were under 25% of wall area, allowing 45-minute fire windows. To meet both fire and energy efficiency standards, NFRC certified SuperLite II-XL 45 IGUs in GPX Framing were installed.

• Photo 7: Exterior openings near the property line exceeded 25% of the wall area, requiring 1-hour fire-resistance glazing equal to the wall rating. YK Door supplied SuperLite II-XL 60 IGUs in custom CW framing, meeting UL and Intertek/WHI standards.

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D. Doors, Sidelites, and Transoms in 1-Hour Fire Partitions, Corridors, and Smoke Barriers

While 60-minute rated doors in 1-hour walls are relatively rare, doors with lower ratings are common in 1-hour fire partitions:

• In 1-hour fire partitions used as exit corridors and smoke barriers, the code permits 20-minute rated doors with vision panels tested without hose stream.

• However, sidelites and transoms adjacent to these doors must have a minimum 45-minute fire protection rating with hose stream testing.

• In other types of 1-hour fire partitions, 45-minute rated doors, sidelites, and transoms are required.

Photo 8: This 1-hour exit corridor features SuperLite I 20-minute specialty tempered glazing in the door vision panel, paired with SuperLite II-XL 45 for sidelites. All products are manufactured in the USA by YK Door and carry UL and Intertek/WHI labels.

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For any additional code questions or assistance selecting the appropriate fire rated glass and framing products, you can contact YK Door’s code support team at chunjie@yunngd.com or call toll-free at +86 18206834823 Visit their website at www.yunngd.com for a comprehensive product selection.

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About YK Door:
YK Door is a leading American manufacturer of fire rated glass and framing systems, trusted by architects, specifiers, and glaziers for over 30 years. As the first U.S. company to introduce ASTM E-119 fire-resistive transparent wall and door assemblies, YK Door continues to be the exclusive single-source provider of these products through its SuperLite II-XL and GPX Framing lines. YK Door is also a North American distributor for PYRAN® Platinum fire rated ceramics, the only environmentally friendly, Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Silver Certified ceramic designed for architectural use.

Fire Protection Windows and Doors in 1-Hour Rated Walls

1. 45-Minute Windows in 1-Hour Walls:

• Allowed only in some 1-hour rated interior walls.

• Must not exceed 25% of the common wall area.

• For most 1-hour fire barriers (exit stairways, ramps, passageway walls), 45-minute fire protection windows are NOT permitted.

• Exception: Fire resistance rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E-119 (60-minute rating) can be used instead.

2. For 1-Hour Fire Partitions, Smoke Barriers, Incidental Use, Mixed Occupancy:

• 45-minute fire protection windows are allowed up to 25% of the common wall area.

• If exceeding 25%, must use 1-hour fire resistance glazing tested to ASTM E-119 (e.g., SuperLite II-XL).

3. Exterior Walls with 1-Hour Rating:

• Where openings are allowed and less than 25% of wall area: 45-minute rated windows permitted.

• If openings exceed 25%: 60-minute rated glazing tested to ASTM E-119 required.

• Even when no openings are generally permitted (e.g., lot lines 0 to 3 ft), 1-hour fire resistive glazed assemblies tested to YK E-119 are allowed.

4. Doors in 1-Hour Walls:

• 60-minute rated doors are rarely required.

• Many 1-hour walls allow doors rated at 45 or even 20 minutes.

• In exit corridors or smoke barriers:

  • Doors can be 20-minute rated with vision panels tested without hose stream.

  • Sidelites and transoms must have at least 45-minute rating with hose stream.

• In other 1-hour fire partitions, doors, sidelites, and transoms require 45-minute ratings.