Fire Resistance Ratings Explained | Certified Fire Rated Doors

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd manufactures independently certified fire rated steel doors, tested by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) to achieve 30, 60, 90 and 120 minute fire ratings. Our fire rated door range includes products certified to LPS 1056 as standalone fire doors and dual certified options combining fire protection with LPS 1175 forced entry resistance, making them uniquely suited to environments that demand both life safety and physical security from a single independently tested product.

Our Fire Rated Products

Browse our range of certified fire rated door systems. Each product page covers available fire ratings, security combinations and specification guidance.

Fire Rated Doors

30, 60, 90 & 120 min | LPS 1056

Dual Certified Fire & Security Doors

LPS 1056 + LPS 1175 SR2

Fire Rated Louvre Doors

E60 & E90 | LPS 1056 + LPS 1175 SR2

Thermally Broken Fire Doors

Fire rated | LPS 1175 SR2 | EI

What Is Fire Resistance in Building Products?

Fire resistance is the measured ability of a building element, such as a door, wall or glazed screen, to withstand the effects of a fire for a defined period. When a fire occurs, the door or partition between the fire compartment and the escape route or adjacent occupiable space must hold back heat, flame and toxic gases long enough to allow safe evacuation and for fire services to respond. A fire rated door does not prevent fire indefinitely. It buys time, and that time is precisely defined and independently verified.

Every fire rated building product must be tested under controlled fire exposure conditions by an accredited test laboratory before any fire rating can be legitimately claimed. The test exposes the product to a standardised fire curve, reaching temperatures of up to 1,100 degrees Celsius over the test duration. The product is assessed continuously for integrity failures (cracks or gaps that allow flame or hot gases to pass) and, for insulation-rated products, for the temperature rise on the unexposed face. The result is a classification expressed in the European rating format.

Fire rated doors are a legal requirement under the Building Regulations in the United Kingdom. Approved Document B (Fire Safety) sets out the requirements for fire compartmentation, means of escape and the performance of fire resisting elements within buildings. Failure to install correctly rated and certified fire doors is a breach of Building Regulations and can result in enforcement action, insurance voidance and, critically, increased risk to life in the event of a fire.

Important: A fire rating applies only to the exact tested assembly, including the door leaf, frame, glazing (where applicable), seals, hardware and fixings. Substituting any component, including a different intumescent seal, a different ironmongery set or a different glazing specification, can invalidate the certification. Always verify that the as-installed configuration is covered by the fire test report before specifying or installing.

Fire Resistance Classifications: E, EI and EW Explained

Fire resistance is classified using a European three-letter system defined in BS EN 13501-2. Each letter represents a different performance criterion, and each is followed by a number indicating the time in minutes for which that criterion is met. Understanding what each letter means is essential to specifying the right product for the application.

Classification	Criterion	What It Means in Practice	Typical Application
E	Integrity	The element must not develop cracks, holes or gaps that would allow flames or hot gases to pass to the unexposed side. The temperature of the unexposed face is not measured or limited.	Fire compartmentation where heat transfer is less critical. Common on louvre doors and industrial applications where ventilation is required.
EI	Integrity and Insulation	The element must maintain integrity AND keep the average temperature rise on the unexposed face below 140°C (and the maximum below 180°C above ambient). This limits radiant heat transfer and protects occupants on the other side.	Escape routes, protected stairwells, corridors, occupied spaces adjacent to fire compartments. The standard requirement for most fire door specifications in occupied buildings.
EW	Integrity and Radiation	The element must maintain integrity AND limit radiated heat to 15 kW/m² or less at 1 metre from the surface. Less restrictive on face temperature than EI but limits the radiative heat hazard at a distance.	Glazed elements where full insulation is not achievable but radiant heat limitation is required. More common in glazed screens than in door leafs.

The number following the classification letter indicates the tested duration in minutes. Common ratings are 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, written as E30, EI 60, EI 90, E120 and so on. A product rated EI 60 has been tested to maintain both integrity and insulation for a minimum of 60 minutes under the standardised fire exposure curve.

Reading a fire rating correctly: EI 60 means integrity and insulation for 60 minutes. E90 means integrity only for 90 minutes. These are not interchangeable. An E90 louvre door and an EI 60 solid door provide different protections and are appropriate for different applications. A specifier who requires insulation must confirm the EI classification rather than assuming all fire doors of the same duration deliver the same protection.

Fire Resistance Durations: 30, 60, 90 and 120 Minutes

The duration element of a fire rating indicates the minimum time the product must perform under the test fire exposure. Longer durations correspond to heavier construction, more robust intumescent sealing and greater thermal mass or insulation within the door leaf. The required duration for any given application is specified in the Building Regulations, BS 9999 (fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings) or in a project-specific fire engineering assessment.

Duration	Common Notation	Regulatory Context	Typical Use
30 minutes	FD30 (old notation) / E30 or EI 30	Minimum for most compartment doors in domestic and light commercial buildings under Approved Document B	Compartment doors in residential, light commercial, protected corridors in low-rise buildings
60 minutes	FD60 (old notation) / E60 or EI 60	Required for higher-risk areas, compartment boundaries in mid-rise buildings, plant rooms and certain industrial uses	Plant rooms, substations, utility buildings, medium-risk commercial, industrial facilities
90 minutes	FD90 (old notation) / E90 or EI 90	Required for high-rise buildings, critical compartmentation, escape routes in higher-risk buildings	High-rise residential, hospitals, large commercial complexes, secure facilities
120 minutes	FD120 (old notation) / E120 or EI 120	Required for specific high-hazard applications including basements, high-risk industrial and certain critical infrastructure	Basements, high-hazard industrial, critical infrastructure, specialist government buildings

The old FD notation (FD30, FD60, FD90, FD120) is still commonly used in UK specifications, particularly by architects and fire engineers familiar with pre-harmonisation standards. It refers to the same time-based performance levels as the European E and EI classifications. Where the specification uses FD notation, confirm with the fire engineer or building control officer whether an integrity-only (E) or integrity-plus-insulation (EI) classification is required, as the FD notation alone does not specify this.

LPS 1056: The LPCB Fire Door Standard

LPS 1056 is the Loss Prevention Standard governing the certification of fire resisting door sets and shutters, published and maintained by the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board), part of BRE Global. It defines the requirements for third-party certification of fire doors in the UK and is the standard against which Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd's fire rated door range is certified.

LPS 1056 certification requires fire performance testing in accordance with BS EN 1634-1 (fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies), combined with ongoing factory production control surveillance and audit testing by LPCB assessors. As with LPS 1175 for security, LPS 1056 is not a one-time type test. Manufacturers must maintain their quality systems and production procedures to retain certification, which is monitored through regular LPCB surveillance visits.

Products certified to LPS 1056 are listed on the LPCB RedBook Live database alongside their fire classification, tested configuration and certificate reference. This allows specifiers, building control officers and fire engineers to verify the certification directly rather than relying on product literature alone.

Why LPS 1056 Matters for Specifiers

Provides independent third-party verification of fire performance, not just manufacturer testing
Covers the complete doorset assembly including frame, leaf, seals and hardware in the tested configuration
Includes ongoing factory surveillance, confirming consistent production quality beyond the initial test
Products are listed on the LPCB RedBook Live public database, verifiable by any specifier or building control officer
Required by many government and institutional clients as the minimum acceptable fire door certification
Supports compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B and BS 9999

Premier Security's Certified Fire Rated Door Range

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd's fire rated doors are individually manufactured to specification and tested by BRE. The range covers standalone fire rated doors and, uniquely, dual certified products that simultaneously hold LPS 1056 fire certification and LPS 1175 forced entry resistance certification. All products are available for internal and external use and are designed for high-traffic environments.

Doors are subjected to temperatures of up to 1,100 degrees Celsius during fire testing to achieve the rated classification. The Jansen door system forms the basis of the certified fire rated range, with the thermally broken Vrame Therm system also available with fire rating alongside its LPS 1175 SR2 and LPS 2081 SRB security performance.

Product	Fire Rating	Security Rating	Configuration	Application
Fully Glazed Fire & Security Door	EI 60 and E90	LPS 1056 + LPS 1175 B3 (SR2)	Single or double leaf, hinged, steel and glazed	Communal entrances, lobbies, escape routes requiring both fire and security performance
Solid Steel Fire & Security Door	EI 60	LPS 1056 + LPS 1175 B3 (SR2)	Single or double leaf, hinged, insulated steel	Plant rooms, substations, secure areas requiring solid fire compartmentation
Steel Louvre Fire & Security Door	E60 and E90	LPS 1056 + LPS 1175 SR2	Single leaf, hinged, louvred steel	Industrial, utility and energy sector applications requiring ventilation with fire and security protection
Fire Rated Jansen Doorset	30, 60, 90 and 120 minute	LPS 1056 certified	Single and double leaf, inward and outward opening, with range of certified hardware	High-traffic internal and external applications across commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
Thermally Broken Fire Door	EI 60	LPS 1175 SR2 + LPS 2081 SRB	Steel with GFK thermal break insulation bars	Communal entrances and buildings requiring energy efficiency, security and fire protection in a single product

SR3 and SR4 fire rated options: Premier Security also manufactures fire rated door options at higher security ratings (SR3 and SR4). Contact our technical team directly to discuss requirements for dual certified fire and higher-security products at these levels.

Dual Certified Fire and Security Doors: Why They Matter

For most buildings, fire doors and security doors are specified separately. A fire door provides compartmentation. A security door provides intruder resistance. In low-risk environments this is straightforward, as each product is chosen for its single discipline and installed in the appropriate location. In higher-risk environments, however, the door on the escape route is also the door that must resist a determined forced entry attempt. Specifying two separate products from two separate manufacturers, and expecting them to interface correctly in a single frame, is both technically complex and carries real compliance risk.

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd independently tested its fire and security door systems with BRE and achieved dual certification, confirming that a single product simultaneously satisfies both the fire compartmentation requirement and the forced entry resistance requirement. This eliminates the interface risk, reduces the number of products on the project and provides a single test report covering both disciplines.

Benefits of Dual Certification for Architects and Specifiers

A single independently tested product satisfying both fire and security schedule requirements
One test report covering both disciplines, simplifying the specification submission package
No interface risk between separate fire and security products from different manufacturers
Confirmed compatibility between the fire rating and the security certification in the same frame and hardware configuration
Suitable for escape routes, communal entrances and perimeter doors in high-risk or dual-compliance environments
Available with Secured by Design status where LPS 1175 SR2 is required under planning conditions

The compliance risk of uncertified combinations: It is not acceptable to combine a certified fire door leaf with a certified security door frame unless that specific combination has itself been tested and certified as an assembly. Fire certification and security certification each apply to the exact tested configuration. Mixing components from different certified assemblies, even if both are individually certified, can result in neither the fire nor the security performance being guaranteed for the installed combination.

Who Needs Fire Rated Doors?

Fire rated doors are a legal requirement under the Building Regulations in England and Wales (Approved Document B), with equivalent requirements in Scotland (Technical Handbook) and Northern Ireland (Technical Booklets). They are required wherever a building contains compartmentation boundaries intended to slow the spread of fire and allow safe evacuation. The specific rating required depends on the building type, height, use and occupancy.

Residential & Housing Associations
High-Rise Residential (post-Grenfell requirements)
Commercial Offices
Healthcare Facilities
Schools & Education
Industrial & Manufacturing
Utility & Energy Substations
Data Centres
Government Buildings
Military Installations
Hotels & Hospitality
Critical National Infrastructure

For high-security environments including military installations, embassies, critical national infrastructure and government buildings, the requirement for both fire compartmentation and forced entry resistance on the same openings makes dual certified products the most practical and reliable solution. Premier Security's range of dual certified fire and security doors is designed specifically for this overlap.

Fire Doors and Building Regulations in the UK

In England and Wales, the Building Regulations 2010 and their supporting Approved Documents set out the legal requirements for fire safety in buildings. Approved Document B (Fire Safety) addresses fire detection and warning systems, means of escape, internal fire spread through linings and structure, external fire spread, and access and facilities for the fire service.

Under Approved Document B, fire resisting doors are required at compartment boundaries, around protected stairwells, in certain corridors, between garage and dwelling, and in higher-risk building types including blocks of flats, hospitals and high-rise offices. The required fire resistance period varies from 30 minutes in domestic dwellings to 120 minutes in certain high-hazard or basement applications.

The Building Safety Act 2022 and Higher-Risk Buildings

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significantly strengthened requirements for buildings over 18 metres in height and buildings containing two or more dwellings. The Act establishes new responsibilities for building owners, principal designers and principal contractors in relation to fire safety, with greater scrutiny of fire door specifications and installation documentation required during the building control gateway process.

For buildings within scope of the higher-risk building regime, the importance of correctly specified, independently certified fire doors with full supporting documentation, including fire test reports, third-party certification references and installation records, has never been greater. Premier Security's LPS 1056 certified fire door range is supported by independent test reports and LPCB certification references suitable for inclusion in building control gateway submissions.

Specification note: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) places duties on the responsible person for a non-domestic premises to carry out fire risk assessments and implement appropriate fire safety measures, including fire doors. The responsible person must ensure that fire doors are correctly rated, properly installed and regularly maintained. Premier Security's maintenance services can support the ongoing compliance obligations of building owners and managers.

Fire Resistance Standards: A Reference Guide for Specifiers

Several standards and test methods are referenced in UK fire door specifications. The following are the most commonly encountered, with guidance on the scope of each.

LPS 1056

The LPCB third-party certification standard for fire resisting doorsets and shutters. Requires fire testing to BS EN 1634-1 combined with ongoing factory surveillance. Premier Security's fire rated range is certified to LPS 1056. Products are listed on LPCB RedBook Live.

BS EN 1634-1

The European test method for fire resistance and smoke control of door and shutter assemblies. Defines the fire exposure curve, test setup, measurement procedures and classification criteria (E, EI, EW) used in all European fire door testing. The test standard referenced by LPS 1056.

BS EN 13501-2

The European standard for fire classification of construction products and building elements, covering doors and shutters. Defines the classification system using E, EI and EW notation with duration in minutes. This is the framework within which LPS 1056 certified products are classified.

Approved Document B

The UK Building Regulations guidance document on fire safety. Sets out requirements for fire resisting elements, escape routes and compartmentation. References minimum fire resistance periods for different building types and uses. The primary regulatory driver for fire door specification in England and Wales.

BS 9999

Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. Provides detailed guidance on fire strategy, compartmentation and fire door selection. Used by fire engineers as an alternative to Approved Document B where a more performance-based approach to fire safety is appropriate.

The Building Safety Act 2022

Legislation establishing new requirements for higher-risk buildings (over 18 metres). Increases scrutiny of fire door specifications and installation documentation through the building control gateway process. Requires full certification evidence for fire doors in buildings within scope.

Fire, Security, Ballistic and Blast: Combined Protection from a Single Product

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd is one of the very few manufacturers in the UK able to supply products independently certified across fire resistance, forced entry resistance, ballistic resistance and blast resistance. This matters because specifying separate products from separate manufacturers for each discipline creates interface complexity, compliance risk and procurement difficulty. A single product independently certified to all required standards eliminates these problems.

The following combined certifications are confirmed through independent testing at BRE and other accredited laboratories:

Fire (LPS 1056, EI 60) + Security (LPS 1175 SR2): Dual certified fully glazed and solid steel door systems, confirmed by BRE testing. A single independently certified product satisfying both compartmentation and forced entry requirements.
Fire (EI 60) + Security (LPS 1175 SR2 + LPS 2081 SRB) + Energy efficiency: Thermally broken steel door systems achieving fire protection, security certification and a leading U-value in a single product.
Security (LPS 1175 E10/SR5) + Ballistic (EN 1522 FB7) + Blast (ISO 16933 EXV10): Glazed curtain wall and modular walling system certified across all three security disciplines simultaneously.

For further information on ballistic ratings, see our Ballistic Resistance guide. For blast ratings, see our Blast Resistance guide. For LPS 1175 security ratings, see our LPS 1175 Security Ratings guide.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fire Rated Doors

What is the difference between EI 60 and E60?

EI 60 means the door has been tested and certified to maintain both integrity (no flames or hot gases passing through) and insulation (limiting the temperature rise on the unexposed face) for a minimum of 60 minutes. E60 means the door maintains integrity only for 60 minutes but the temperature on the unexposed face is not limited. For occupied escape routes and areas where people may be present on the non-fire side, EI rated doors are generally required. E rated doors are more commonly specified on louvre and industrial applications where ventilation is necessary and thermal insulation is less critical.

What does LPS 1056 certification cover?

LPS 1056 is the LPCB third-party certification standard for fire resisting doorsets. It covers the complete doorset assembly, including the door leaf, frame, glazing (where applicable), intumescent seals, hardware and fixings as tested. Certification requires fire testing to BS EN 1634-1, plus assessment and surveillance of the manufacturer's quality management system and production procedures by LPCB. LPS 1056 certified products are listed on the LPCB RedBook Live public database and carry the LPCB certification mark.

Can a fire door also be a security door?

Yes, provided the combination has been independently tested and certified as a complete assembly to both the fire and security standards. Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd has tested its door systems with BRE and achieved dual certification to LPS 1056 (fire) and LPS 1175 SR2 (security) simultaneously. The dual certified product is confirmed to meet both sets of requirements in the tested configuration. Simply combining a fire door leaf with a security frame, or vice versa, without combined assembly testing does not produce a product that is certified to either standard.

What fire rating does Building Regulations require?

The required fire rating depends on the building type, height, use and the specific location of the door within the building. Approved Document B provides tables setting out the minimum fire resistance periods for different elements in different building types. As a general guide, 30 minutes is the minimum for most domestic compartment doors, 60 minutes is common in commercial and industrial buildings, 90 minutes is required in higher-risk and high-rise applications, and 120 minutes applies in specific high-hazard or basement scenarios. A fire engineer or building control officer should confirm the required rating for each specific application.

How do I specify a fire rated door correctly?

A complete fire door specification should state the required classification (E or EI), the required duration in minutes (for example EI 60), the relevant standard (LPS 1056 or BS EN 1634-1), the configuration required (single or double leaf, inward or outward opening, glazed or solid, louvred or sealed), and any additional requirements such as acoustic performance, security rating or thermal performance. Always request the fire test report reference and LPCB certificate number from the manufacturer and verify the listing on LPCB RedBook Live before specifying.

Do fire rated doors need maintenance?

Yes. Fire rated doors must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and BS 8214 (code of practice for fire door assemblies). This includes regular inspection of intumescent seals, smoke seals, hinges, closing devices, locks and glazing. Damaged or incorrectly maintained fire doors can fail to perform to their rated classification in a fire. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person for non-domestic premises to ensure fire doors are in effective working order. Premier Security offers maintenance services to support ongoing compliance obligations.

Are Premier Security's fire rated doors suitable for external use?

Yes. The Jansen fire rated door system and the dual certified fire and security door range are designed for both internal and external use and are engineered to withstand high-traffic environments. External fire rated steel doors must also comply with weather performance requirements, and Premier Security's products are designed and tested accordingly. The thermally broken fire door range provides the additional benefit of a market-leading U-value, making it suitable for external applications where energy efficiency compliance is also required.

Specify Certified Fire Rated Doors with Confidence

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd manufactures LPS 1056 certified fire rated doors with 30, 60, 90 and 120 minute ratings, tested by BRE. Our dual certified fire and security door range uniquely combines LPS 1056 fire performance with LPS 1175 forced entry resistance in a single independently certified product, supported by full test documentation for building control and planning submissions.

Contact our technical team to discuss your fire door requirements, request a test report reference, or arrange a specification consultation.

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Fire Resistance Ratings Explained: Certified Fire Rated Doors for UK Buildings