Fire rated main doors play an important role in keeping your home safe during a fire. They are specially tested to resist fire for a certain period, providing better protection during a fire emergency. However, not every type of door, frame, or fitting can be used for fire rated doors. Installing them wrongly can make the door lose its fire certification.
If you’re planning to replace or install a fire rated main door in Singapore, here are the things you should not do.
Door Frame with Fixed Top Panel
Fire rated doors must match the exact design used during testing. If your door frame has an extra fixed panel on top (either glass or solid), that setup is not allowed. Our certified test conditions do not include a top fixed panel, so installing one will void the fire rating.
Door Frame Attached to a Window
A fire rated door cannot be installed if the frame is directly joined with a window. During testing, the surrounding area of the fire door is made of concrete, not glass or aluminium. If the frame is attached to a window, the door cannot maintain its tested fire resistance and will fail to meet Singapore’s safety standards.
Using Long Bar or Roller Mortise Lock Sets
All fire rated doors must use approved locksets that were tested together with the door. Long bar handles or roller mortise lock sets are not permitted, as they were not part of the fire test. Installing them can cause the door to lose its certification and fail during a fire.
Do Not Remove the Door Closer
Every fire rated door must come with a self-closing device that automatically closes the door after opening. Removing or disabling this closer is not allowed, as it prevents the door from shutting properly during a fire. A closed fire door helps stop smoke and flames from spreading quickly.
Use Certified Accessories:
Do not use non-fire-rated accessories, hinges, or door closers, as this can compromise the door’s effectiveness and invalidate its certification.
The door and its components must be made of fire-resistant materials and comply with specifications like SS 332 for fire doors.
Ignoring exit direction
If the fire door opens into a staircase, it must open in the direction of the exit travel.
Do Not Modify or Drill Extra Holes
Do not drill new holes or alter the door in any way, as this can void its fire certification. Drilling or cutting the door can damage its fire-resistant core and void the certification.
Using non-certified or incompatible locks
The digital lock itself must be certified to meet fire safety standards (e.g., with a Certificate of Conformity or COC) and be compatible with fire-rated doors.
When choosing a fire rated main door in Singapore, always buy from a certified supplier and let a qualified installer handle the fitting. This ensures the door meets all HDB and SCDF requirements and keeps your home safe and compliant.