What is the difference between FD30 and FD60?
An FD30 fire door provides at least 30 minutes of fire resistance, and an FD60 door at least 60 minutes, when correctly installed and maintained as a complete doorset. The number is the tested resistance period in minutes.
Where is each rating used?
FD30 doors are the most common in residential blocks, including many flat entrance and communal doors. FD60 doors are specified where greater protection is needed — for example certain higher-risk areas, plant rooms, or where the fire strategy demands a longer resistance period.
The required rating for any opening is set by Approved Document B and the building's fire strategy, not chosen at random.
Why does installation matter more than the rating?
A door's rating is only achieved as a tested assembly: leaf, frame, intumescent strips, cold smoke seals and ironmongery working together. Excessive gaps, missing seals or the wrong components can reduce an FD60 door's real-world performance dramatically.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell an FD30 from an FD60 door by looking?
Not reliably — certification labels (often on the top or hinge edge) and documentation confirm the rating, which is why inspection records matter.
Is FD60 always better?
No — the correct rating is whatever the fire strategy and Approved Document B require for that location.
Do seals affect the rating?
Yes. Intumescent strips and smoke seals are integral to achieving the tested performance.