The correct specification, fitting and maintenance are the responsibility of each and every person involved in the process from specification to maintenance.

Specifying the right fire door can be a life or death responsibility. In 2006 there were 491 deaths in the UK resulting from fire; 61% of deaths were related to smoke inhalation; 1 in 12 fires spread from where the fire started to other rooms in the building.

The performance requirements of fire doors or doorsets and their locations within a building are dictated by national Building Regulations. 

Fire doors help sub-divide a building into compartments, slowing down the spread of fire and allowing occupants to escape.
Fire doors and doorsets are rated in minutes and prefixed by the letters FD.

The building regulation relates to the entire door installation, and not just the door alone. Because of this, fire doors are not tested as individual leaves, but as a complete installation, along with frame, locks, latches and other essential ironmongery.

In certain applications, the regulations may state that smoke control is also required as an additional requirement. In these cases the fire door will be designated by the suffix 's' and a combined intumescent and smoke seal must be fitted.

Doors are tested to BS 476 Part 22 to represent how they will function in a fire.

The following table denotes the fire door rating and nomenclature for fire door assemblies