Minimum Fire Rating for an FM Approved Door?

1/27/2023

I have a building with FM Approved doors, but I can’t identify the fire resistance rating.

We have a fire label but nothing else (see the image). Is there a minimum fire rating for any FM Approved door?

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6 Comments

Alex

1/27/2023 07:38:32 am

The FM tag only states that the door has been through the certification testing process by FM. I would not assume a fire rating based solely on this tag.

If there are no other markings or tags on the door, I would look for a manufacture/model to see if you can find it online. In the end, if you come up short, I would assume the door does not maintain a rating.

Thanks

Jesse

1/27/2023 08:10:31 am

The presence of that label doesn't indicate a fire-rating for the door. Just that the door was tested by FM and the testing could be for a myriad of reason. It may not be rated at all.

Todd E Wyatt

1/27/2023 08:21:17 am

UL Fire Rated Doors, Windows and Related Hardware – Marking and Application Guide

(https://code-authorities.ul.com/ul-fire-rated-doors-and-windows-marking-and-application-guide/)

Hourly fire-protection ratings – Door frames are intended for use in applications where codes require a minimum hourly rating for the overall door or window assembly. However frames may or may not be marked with hourly ratings. When combining doors, frames and hardware with different ratings the overall rating of the assembly will be the lesser of the ratings of any of the individual components.

Door frames bearing a UL Certification Mark without an hourly rating and provided with masonry wall anchors can be used in conjunction with fire doors rated up to 3 hours and installed in masonry walls having fire resistance ratings not less than the rating of the door.

Door frames bearing a UL Certification Mark without an hourly rating and provided with steel stud or wood stud anchors can be used in conjunction with fire doors rated up to 1-1/2 hours and installed in steel stud and wood stud walls steel stud cavity walls, steel stud shaft walls and wood stud cavity walls protected with gypsum board, having fire resistance ratings not less than the rating of the door nor more than 2 hours.

Joe Chadwick

1/27/2023 08:30:47 am

When facing something like this, it’s important to determine whether the installation conformed to the building regulations at the time of construction. FM labeling as an insurance requirement predated Codes in many jurisdictions.
It comes down to “why is the status of the door being questioned?” Then we can dig into Use and Occupancy, and where the door sits in the exit strategy, and whether changes need to be made.
Frequently apparently minor hardware changes will cascade into the entire opening configuration.

Glenn Berger

1/27/2023 08:33:40 am

As other have said cannot assume that there is a fire rating. Have a label on the door is one thing, is there a label on the frame?

Anthony

1/27/2023 10:49:19 am

Great idea for trying to determine a possible fire rating through the minimum fire rating of the door. So, if FM only stamps door 30 min or higher then you at least know you have a 30 min door.

Again, great idea but we're missing information still. At minimum we'd need the year of stamping to start digging. FM just like every testing organization changes standards from time to time. FM adopts and drops products and technology changes.

https://www.fmapprovals.com/approval-guide

If you get more information, you can try and dig through the approvals guide above and see if there is anything relevant. Best of luck!

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Minimum Fire Rating for an FM Approved Door?

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