Fire rated steel doors are certified products: the rating only means something if you know which test standard it was tested against and who issued the report. This guide explains the standards international buyers encounter most often – EN 1634, UL 10, BS 476 – and what to confirm before ordering fire doors for a project.
What a Fire Rating Actually Means
A rating such as 60 minutes means the door assembly – leaf, frame, hardware, seals and glazing tested together – resisted fire spread, maintained integrity, and (under EN standards) limited heat transfer for that period in a standard furnace test. The number alone is meaningless without the standard behind it: a door rated under EN 1634-1 is not automatically accepted in a project specified under UL, and vice versa.
The Main Test Standards by Region
Europe: EN 1634-1 and CE / EN 16034
EN 1634-1 is the European fire resistance test for door and shutter assemblies. Results are expressed as EI30, EI60 or EI90 – E for integrity and I for insulation (limiting heat rise on the unexposed side). Doors sold in the EU market are typically CE marked under EN 16034, which covers product performance and is supported by a Declaration of Performance.
United Kingdom and others: BS 476-22
Many Middle East, African and Asian specifications still reference BS 476 Part 22, which reports integrity durations such as 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Note that BS 476 has no insulation criterion equivalent to EN’s I class unless the specification adds it.
North America: UL 10(b) / UL 10(c) and NFPA 252
In the United States and Canada, fire doors are listed by UL (or cUL) under UL 10(b) or UL 10(c), closely aligned with NFPA 252. Listings are published for specific configurations – leaf, frame, hinges per leaf, closer, latch – and projects in these markets usually require a label or a field evaluation, not only a test report.
Related requirements
- Smoke control: EN 1634-2 / UL 1784 for Sa / Class I smoke ratings where required (stairwells, corridors)
- Self-closing: fire doors must latch and self-close – fire rated closers are part of the certified assembly
- National adoptions: Gulf states reference EN or BS standards; some markets require local civil defence approval
Comparison at a Glance
| Standard | Region | Typical Expression | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 1634-1 / EN 16034 | EU, Gulf, much of Asia | EI30 / EI60 / EI90 | Insulation class I matters for escape routes |
| BS 476-22 | UK-linked markets, Middle East, Africa | 30 / 60 / 90 min integrity | No insulation criterion by default |
| UL 10(b) / NFPA 252 | USA, Canada | 20 / 45 / 60 / 90 min listing | Listing covers exact hardware configuration |
What Buyers Should Ask a Manufacturer
- Which standard and rating class applies to my project – and can you supply the test report for that exact configuration?
- Is the certificate issued for the leaf only, or the complete assembly including frame, seals and hardware?
- Are hinges, closers, locks and vision panels covered by the certification?
- What is the maximum certified size – and what happens if my opening is larger?
- Can you provide documentation in the format my approving authority requires (report copy, label, Declaration of Performance)?
A manufacturer who answers these precisely – and states clearly which ratings are available and which are not – is far safer to work with than one who claims every certification without documentation.
Fire Doors from WJ Doors
We produce fire rated steel doors for overseas projects and review ratings, applicable standards and documentation requirements case by case against your drawings. Tell us your destination market and specification, and we will confirm what applies to your enquiry.