A complete guide to fire-certified automatic doors

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07.05.2026

Fire doors are a critical component of any building’s safety strategy, buying time for evacuation and limiting the spread of flame and smoke between departments. In the UK, requirements are rigorous, covering everything from testing to installation and for automatic doors, there’s an added layer of consideration. 

While the framework mirrors that of standard fire doors, automatic operators have added demands. 

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what makes a door a fire door and how you can maintain compliance for automatic fire door sets. 

What makes a door a fire door?

By law, a fire-rated door is designed to resist smoke and fire for a set time (usually 30 to 60 minutes). Fire doors need to have:

• Heavier and thicker core structure than standard doors 
• Intumescent seals fitted to the frame or door edge that expand in heat 
• Fire-rated glass (if needed) 
• Hardware tested for fire performance (hinges, latches, handles) 
• Signage declaring it a fire door that should remain shut

Can automatic doors be fire doors?

Yes, as long as the automatic operator doesn’t have a detrimental effect on the door leaf, they can be used as fire doors. They also undergo extensive testing and certification to ensure user safety in emergency situations.

So naturally, automatic doors make for safer fire doors and can often be equipped with additional safety features, such as spring-actuated closure in the event of a fire or power cut, and smoke detectors.

How to make fire doors compliant

Companies like Warrington Fire – a world leader in fire certification – help door suppliers like us achieve the full fire protection needed for safety and compliance. 

What is the law on fire doors in the UK?

Fire doors must be:

• Hollow steel or timber material
• Tested as a complete assembled door, including door leaf, frame and hardware
• Certified in line with the relevant British standards (BS 476 and EN 1634)
• UKCA or CE marked and backed by a Declaration of Performance 
• Installed by a FIRAS-certified contractor 
• Certified by a third party such as Certifire 

Is a fire-rated door compulsory?

Not every door needs to be fire-rated. Fire doors are required by law in all non-domestic buildings, specifically in:

• Escape routes and corridors – any route an occupant would use to exit the building in an emergency 
• Stairwells – to prevent fire from travelling between floors
• Areas separating high-risk zones – kitchens, plantrooms or where hazardous materials are stored 
• Openings in fire-compartment walls – anywhere a wall is designed to contain a fire 
• Lift shafts and service ducts – to prevent fire and smoke from spreading through vertical openings 
• Fat entrance doors in residential blocks – doors opening to communal areas 

Do fire doors need to be metal?

No, fire doors can be made from timber or steel. Timber doors have a predictable char rate that meets regulatory requirements. 

How should fire doors be maintained?

Like any automatic door operator, fire doors must be regularly inspected and maintained every 3-6 months. 

What’s the difference between FD30 and FD60 doors?

In the UK, fire doors are rated based on how long they can contain fire and smoke. The most common ratings are FD30 (30 minutes) and FD60 (60 minutes), with FD90 and FD120 available for high-risk environments. 

GDUK work with both FD60 and FD30 fire doors, which need special frames that meet compliance standards, which is why the entire doorsets must be tested and certified as a complete unit. 

You can fit a higher-rated operator (FD60) to a lower-rated door (FD30), but you can never fit a lower-rated operator to a higher-rated door. 

What are FD30 fire doors?

The FD30 fire door is rated to contain fire and smoke for a minimum of 30 minutes, and is most commonly used in escape routes, corridors and flat or residential block entrances. The “S” suffix (FD30S) indicates the door also has smoke seals fitted. 

What are FD60 fire door sets?

The FD60 fire door can contain fire and smoke for twice as long as the FD30 (60 minutes) and is typically used in higher-risk areas where additional evacuation time is needed, such as stairwells. 

This increased resistance stems from more robust core materials, a heavier-duty frame and hardware that meets a higher rating. Both are certified as complete assemblies, but the FD60 is engineered to withstand higher heat and pressure for longer. 

When each fire door works for different businesses

• Retail – The FD30 doors are used as a standard in retail settings, typically in stockrooms and doors separating public areas from back-of-house spaces to provide sufficient time to evacuate.
• Healthcare – Hospitals and care facilities require FD60 as standard in most areas due to the presence of vulnerable occupants who may be unable to evacuate quickly.
• Offices – While they typically use FD30 on escape routes and corridors, offices may also require FD60 for stairwells and storage areas where fire risk and load are higher. 
• Industrial – This entirely depends on what is being stored and manufactured on-site. A standard warehouse may use an FD30, while facilities handling flammable materials, chemicals, or high-value machinery are likely to require FD60 or higher. 

Does it take longer to install a fire automatic door?

Fire-rated automatic doors take no longer to install than a standard automatic door. The only difference is the additional step of testing the operator to ensure it doesn’t affect the integrity of the door leaf when installed on a fire door. 

Finding the right fire door for your business 

There’s no room for error when it comes to safety-compliant automatic doors. We supply and install certified fire doors to businesses across the country. If you’re unsure what level of safety you need, give us a call at 0800 316 6994 or email estimating@gdukds.com today.