Fire Protection Classes for Doors: Choosing the Right Option for Structural Fire Safety

Fire protection doors are essential components of structural fire protection. Their purpose is to prevent—or at least significantly slow—the spread of fire and smoke within a building. The classification of these doors, particularly the fire resistance classes T30, T60, and T90, provides clear information on their fire resistance duration. Understanding these classes is vital for planning and installing such doors correctly.

Function and Standardization

The performance of fire protection doors is assessed through rigorous testing procedures based on standards such as DIN 4102-5 or EN 1634-1. The fire resistance duration indicates how long the complete door element—including door leaf, frame, fittings, and any glazing—maintains its integrity under fire exposure. This includes preventing the passage of flames and smoke, and depending on classification, limiting heat transfer to the non-fire side.

Properly functioning fire protection doors enable safe evacuation and provide emergency responders with valuable time to combat the fire.

Common Fire Protection Classes

The names of the fire protection classes are standardized and indicate the minimum fire resistance duration in minutes:

• T30 (Fire-resistant / Fire-retardant)

  These doors withstand fire for at least 30 minutes and are classified as fire-retardant. Typical use:

  Areas with low to moderate fire risk, such as access to boiler rooms, basements, or as separation between stairwells and residential units. They delay fire spread and enable initial evacuation.

• T60 (Highly Fire-retardant)

  T60 doors provide a minimum of 60 minutes of fire resistance and are considered highly fire-retardant.
  Typical use:

  Buildings with high occupant density or increased fire risk—for example, corridors in schools, hospitals, hotels, or larger office buildings. The longer resistance time allows extended evacuation and supports early firefighting efforts.

• T90 (Fire-resistant / Fire-resistant to 90 minutes)

  Doors in this class offer at least 90 minutes of fire resistance and are classified as fire-resistant.

  Typical use: Mandatory in areas with very high fire risk or as components of fire walls. Examples include industrial facilities, underground car parks, large storage halls, or specific sections of high-rise buildings. Their use is crucial for effectively separating large fire compartments and preventing extensive fire spread over long periods.

Important to Know

• The classification applies only to the complete, tested door assembly.
• Mixing components from different manufacturers or using non-compatible systems can impair—or even nullify—the protective performance.

Smoke Protection and Burglary Resistance

Modern fire protection doors can combine multiple protective functions, identified through additional markings:

• RS (Smoke protection): Doors marked “RS” (e.g., T30-RS) provide certified smoke resistance. This is especially important for escape routes, as smoke is often the greatest danger during a fire.
• RC (Resistance Class): Designations such as RC2 or RC3 indicate additional burglar-resistant performance according to DIN EN 1627-1630, relevant for security-sensitive areas.

Planning and Compliance with Regulations

Choosing the appropriate fire protection class is a complex process. It must always consider building class, type of use, requirements for escape and rescue routes, and state building regulations (Landesbauordnungen) as well as special construction codes.

Early coordination with fire protection experts and the executing specialist company is essential to ensure compliance with all applicable standards and to achieve the highest level of safety. Errors in specification or installation can lead to serious consequences—including jeopardizing a building’s operating permit.