Requirements for Fire-Rated Wood Emergency Doors

When it comes to building safety and code compliance, emergency doors are non-negotiable. If your project specifies wood emergency doors, they must meet strict fire-resistance and safety standards to protect lives and property, and to pass inspections without delays.

Below, we break down the key requirements every fire-rated wood emergency door must have, based on international standards.

1. Certified Fire Resistance

A fire-rated door is only as reliable as its certification. Make sure your doors include:

• Fire resistance rating of 30, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on building code and occupancy type.
• Official testing and certification from recognized laboratories such as UL, Intertek, or WHI.
• Solid core construction using heat-resistant adhesives to maintain integrity under extreme conditions.

Pro tip: Always check for a permanent certification label or plate on the door. If it’s missing, the door is not compliant.

2. Certified Hardware

Even a fully certified door can fail if it’s installed with the wrong hardware. Use:

• Fire-rated locks and hinges that meet the door manufacturer’s specifications.
• Automatic self-closing systems to ensure the door shuts after every use, critical for containing fire and smoke.
• No component substitutions without approval. Replacing hardware with non-rated parts voids the certification.

3. Professional Installation & Intumescent Seals

Correct installation is just as important as the door itself:

• Mount the door in a certified fire-rated frame with intumescent seals that expand during heat to prevent smoke infiltration.
• Maintain clearances of ? 3 mm between door and frame, as required by code.
• Ensure the certification plate is visible and never painted over or removed.

4. Common Prohibitions to Avoid

To stay compliant, avoid these critical mistakes:

• Do not drill, cut, or modify the door unless approved by the manufacturer.
• Do not apply flammable finishes or paints unless they are tested and certified.
• Do not block, lock, or wedge open emergency doors, they must swing freely in the direction of egress.

Fire-rated wood emergency doors are a crucial part of any building’s safety strategy. By ensuring proper certification, hardware compatibility, professional installation, and code-compliant maintenance, you’ll protect lives, meet inspection requirements, and avoid costly project delays.