Fire-rated doors are critical life safety components in buildings, designed to contain fire and smoke for a specified duration (20 minutes to 3 hours). Every component of a fire-rated door assembly — including hinges — must be fire-rated and listed. This guide covers hinge selection, code requirements, fire rating durations, and common applications for fire-rated door assemblies.
| Fire Ratings | 20-min, 45-min, 60-min, 90-min, 3-hour |
|---|---|
| Governing Codes | NFPA 80, IBC, UL 10C, UL 10B |
| Hinge Material | Steel or stainless steel only |
| Self-Closing | Mandatory on all fire-rated doors |
| Self-Latching | Mandatory — door must latch automatically |
| Hinge Grade | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 required for self-closing |
| Annual Inspection | Required per NFPA 80 Chapter 5 |
| Where Required | Stairwells, corridors, room separations, mechanical rooms |
| Last Updated | 2026-02-27 |
Each fire rating duration corresponds to the length of time a door assembly must withstand fire and hose-stream testing under standardized conditions. The required rating is determined by the type and fire resistance rating of the wall in which the door is installed. Higher-rated walls require higher-rated door assemblies, and every component — including the hinges — must carry the appropriate listing.
| Rating | Duration | Typical Location | Wall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-minute | 20 min | Corridor walls, smoke partitions | 1-hour |
| 45-minute | 45 min | Corridor walls, room separations | 1-hour |
| 60-minute | 60 min | Shaft walls, exit enclosures | 1-hour |
| 90-minute | 90 min | Stairwell enclosures, 2-hour walls | 2-hour |
| 3-hour | 180 min | Fire walls, area separations | 3–4 hour |
The International Building Code (IBC) and local codes specify which rating applies to each opening. When in doubt, always consult the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and verify the rating on the door and frame labels before specifying replacement hardware.
Regardless of the specific fire rating duration — whether 20 minutes or 3 hours — all fire-rated swinging doors share the same fundamental hinge requirements under NFPA 80. The fire rating duration affects the door leaf and frame specification, but the hinge rules are consistent across ratings.
All fire-rated doors require:
Fire-rated doors are required wherever the building code mandates a fire-resistive barrier between occupancies, means of egress, or hazardous areas. The most common locations where fire-rated door assemblies — and therefore fire-rated hinges — are required include:
A fire-rated door assembly is a complete system — every component must be listed and compatible. Installing a listed hinge on an unlisted door, or vice versa, invalidates the entire assembly. A compliant fire door assembly consists of:
The self-closing requirement is one of the most critical performance requirements for fire-rated doors. NFPA 80 requires that all fire-rated swinging doors close and latch automatically from any open position. Several hardware approaches satisfy this requirement, each with distinct trade-offs for fire door applications:
| Self-Closing Option | Pros for Fire Door Use | Cons / Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Closing Hinges (spring type) | No visible surface hardware; simpler installation; effective retrofit solution; lower cost | Limited closing speed adjustment; spring tension may weaken over time; may slam doors if not properly tensioned; minimum 2 required per door when used as sole closing device |
| Hydraulic Self-Closing Hinges | Adjustable closing speed satisfies ADA closing speed requirements simultaneously; quiet and controlled close; invisible when door is closed | Higher unit cost than spring hinges; must carry ANSI/BHMA A156.17 Grade 1 listing; requires periodic check of hydraulic fluid integrity |
| Surface-Mounted Door Closers | Most widely accepted by inspectors; widest range of adjustments (closing speed, backcheck, delayed action, hold-open); suitable for all door sizes | Visible hardware on door face; requires mounting arm and track; additional maintenance points; arm can be vandalized or misused as hold-open device |
| Concealed Overhead Closers | Invisible when door is open or closed; clean aesthetic appropriate for high-design environments; no exposed arm to be damaged | Requires routing of door or frame during fabrication; significantly harder to adjust and service; highest installation cost; not suitable for field retrofit |
| Floor Springs | No visible hardware above door; handles heavy pivot doors; suitable for frameless glass fire door assemblies where listed | Requires floor box installation; difficult to maintain or replace; not suitable for retrofit in existing concrete floors; limited to specific listed assemblies |
| Electromagnetic Hold-Open with Closer | Allows door to be held open legally for traffic convenience; automatically releases and closes door upon fire alarm activation; integrated with building fire alarm system | Requires electrical connection and fire alarm integration; failure of power or fire alarm connection defaults door to closed (generally acceptable); higher installation cost; must be listed for use on fire-rated assembly |
NFPA 80 Chapter 5 requires that fire door assemblies be inspected and tested at least annually by a qualified person. The inspection must be documented with the date, inspector name, and any deficiencies found and their corrective actions. Uninspected or deficient fire doors represent a life safety violation and may result in code enforcement action.
Each annual inspection must produce a written record that includes: the date of inspection, the name and qualifications of the inspector, a list of all fire doors inspected and their locations, any deficiencies found, and the corrective action taken. Building owners are required to maintain these records and make them available to the AHJ upon request. In healthcare facilities, The Joint Commission may also require fire door inspection records during accreditation surveys.
The following comparison table summarizes the recommended hinge approach for the most common fire door locations, considering fire code requirements, traffic volume, accessibility requirements, and operational needs:
| Fire Door Location | Recommended Hinge Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital corridor | Hydraulic self-closing hinge | Meets ADA closing speed and force requirements simultaneously with fire code self-closing mandate; quiet controlled close suitable for patient care environment; no exposed closer arm to interfere with carts and equipment |
| Stairwell | Self-closing (spring or hydraulic) | High-frequency use demands Grade 1 durability; self-closing hinges eliminate the exposed door closer arm that can be damaged in stairwell conditions; both spring and hydraulic options satisfy NFPA 80 when two or more are installed |
| Hotel room door | Self-closing hinge + electromagnetic hold-open | Fire code requires self-closing and self-latching; hold-open device connected to fire alarm provides guest convenience during normal operation while ensuring automatic door closure upon alarm activation |
| Mechanical / electrical room | Heavy-weight self-closing hinge | Mechanical and electrical room doors are often large and heavy, requiring heavy-weight hinges (0.180″ leaf); self-closing function ensures the fire-rated door is never inadvertently left open after maintenance access |
| School corridor | Hydraulic self-closing hinge | ADA compliance is mandatory in educational facilities; hydraulic closers provide controlled closing speed that meets ADA’s 1.5-second minimum from 70°; Grade 1 rating withstands high-abuse institutional use; fire code self-closing requirement is satisfied |
NFPA 80 requires that hinges on fire-rated doors be made of steel or stainless steel only. They must meet minimum leaf thickness requirements (0.134″ standard weight for doors up to 4′ wide; 0.180″ heavy weight for doors over 4′ wide or over 8′ tall) and must be installed in the quantity required by the 1-per-30″-of-height rule. When used as the sole self-closing device, at minimum two Grade 1 self-closing hinges per door are required. All hinges must carry a UL listing or equivalent third-party fire rating certification.
No. Standard residential or commercial hinges — particularly those made of brass, bronze, or aluminum — are not permitted on fire-rated doors. NFPA 80 restricts hinge materials to steel or stainless steel and requires that hinges meet specific size and thickness requirements. Additionally, fire door hinges must be UL-listed (or carry equivalent certification) for use on fire-rated assemblies. Using non-listed or incorrect-material hinges on a fire door invalidates the assembly’s fire rating and creates a life safety violation.
Stairwell door fire rating requirements depend on building construction type and the applicable code (IBC or local equivalent). Most exit stairwell enclosures in multi-story buildings require 90-minute rated door assemblies, as stairwells are enclosed in 2-hour rated construction. In some building types, 60-minute rated assemblies are permitted. The rating is determined by the architect of record and the AHJ based on the specific project. Always verify the fire rating label on the door and frame to confirm the installed assembly meets the required rating.
Yes. Damaged hinges on a fire-rated door must be replaced immediately with listed, code-compliant replacements. Damaged hinges can compromise the door’s ability to close and latch properly, which is the fundamental function of a fire-rated assembly. Replacement hinges must be steel or stainless steel, UL-listed, and sized per NFPA 80. Using non-fire-rated hinges as temporary replacements — even for a short period — is not permitted and creates both a code violation and a liability exposure.
Yes, but only specific types and only when properly integrated with the building’s fire alarm system. Electromagnetic hold-open devices that automatically release and allow the door to close upon fire alarm activation are permitted by NFPA 80 and are commonly used on fire doors in high-traffic areas such as hospital corridors and hotel lobby doors. What is strictly prohibited are unauthorized hold-open devices such as door wedges, rubber stops, tied-back closers, and fusible-link arms that have not been specifically listed for the application. An improperly held-open fire door provides zero fire protection.
To verify compliance, check the following: (1) the hinges are made of steel or stainless steel (not brass or aluminum — verify the base material, not just the finish color); (2) the correct number of hinges is installed (1 per 30″ of door height, minimum 2); (3) the hinge leaf thickness matches the door size (standard weight for doors up to 4′ wide, heavy weight for larger doors); (4) if self-closing hinges are used, they carry ANSI/BHMA A156.17 Grade 1 certification and a UL listing; (5) the door closes and latches automatically from any open position. If you are uncertain, have the door assembly inspected by a qualified fire door inspector. The Door Security and Safety Foundation (DSSF) provides a directory of certified inspectors.
UL-listed, 3-hour fire-rated, Grade 1 — meets all NFPA 80 requirements