NFPA 252/ UL10B / UL 10C 

Fire rated doors are tested in accordance with the following standards:

• UL 10B, Fire Tests of Door Assemblies (neutral or negative pressure)

• UL 10C, Positive Fire Pressure Tests of Door Assemblies

• NFPA 252, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies

In the late 1990s, the required test method changed from neutral or negative pressure to positive pressure to more accurately simulate the conditions of a fire in the real world.  Today, the IBC requires side-hinged or swinging fire doors to be tested with positive pressure, using either UL 10C or NFPA 252.

Fire Endurance

Fire rated doors are subjected to endurance testing where the specimen is exposed to extreme heat of up to 1925 degrees F for the maximum 180 minute rating.  If the door remains in the frame with no through openings and limits flames, it is certified with an endurance rating of either 20/45/60/90/180 minutes.

Hose Stream

After the fire endurance test, the test specimen is subjected to the hose stream test, where a fire hose delivers water at 30 psi from 20 feet away.  Note that building codes throughout the US typically stipulate that 20 minute doors are exempt from the hose stream test.

Temperature Rise

In certain applications, fire doors are also required to limit the transmission of heat from one side to the other to protect building occupants so they can safely exit the building.  Known as temperature rise doors, these doors carry a temperature rise rating in addition to the hourly rating. Temperature rise ratings are either 250 degrees F, 450 degrees F or 650 degrees F, indicating the maximum rise above ambient temperature on the non-fire side measured during the first 30 minutes of a standard fire endurance test.  A 250 degree F temperature rise rating is considered to be the most stringent, and would meet the requirements of a specification requiring 450 degrees F or 650 degrees F.

Smoke and Draft Control

Some fire rated doors, such as 20 minute doors in fire resistance rated corridors or smoke barriers, may also require testing for smoke infiltration under UL 1784, Standard for Air Leakage Tests of Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

Architectural Armour offer a range of fire rated products  to different standards, please click the relevant link below to find out more

Fire Rated Products

Security Counters and Screens Physical, Ballistic or Blast resisting counters for any application to keep staff secure

Fire Windows   Available as fire rated only or combined with our bullet, attack or blast windows.

Fire Resistant Doors A combination of fire protection and security rated doors made to measure.

Fire Resistant Glass E30 to EI120 , Physical and Ballistic options available

For our full range of technical specifications please click on relevant headings below

Ballistic Technical Specifications

EN 1063               Glass in Building - Security Glazing - Testing and Classification of Resistance Against Bullet Attack

UL 752                   Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment

BS 5051                Bullet-resistant glazing - Part 1:  for interior use- Part 2: for Exterior use

NIJ 0108.01      US National Institute of Justice Standard-Test and Certification for Ballistic Resistant Materials

EN 1522/3          Windows, doors, shutters and blinds - Bullet resistance - Requirements and classification /Test method

Blast Specifications

GSA-TS01:2003     Standard Test Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to Dynamic Overpressure Loadings

EN 13541                   Glass in building - Security glazing - Testing and classification of resistance against explosion pressure 

EN 13123-2               Windows, doors and shutters - Explosion resistance - Requirements and classification

ISO 16933:2007  Glass in Building -- Explosion-Resistant Security Glazing -- Test & Classification for Arena Air-Blast Loading

Fire Specifications

EN 1363-1    Fire resistance tests –Part 1: General Requirements

EN 1364-1     Fire resistance tests for non-load-bearing elements – Part 1: Walls

BS 476 Part 22     Fire tests on building materials and structures

EN 1634-1   Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies, openable windows and elements of building hardware 

Manual Attack  Specifications

EN 1627   Pedestrian door-sets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters - Burglar resistance - Requirements and classification

LPS 1270   Intruder Resistant Security Glazing -  Requirements & Testing Procedures 

LPS 1175 Requirements and testing procedures for the LPCB certification and listing of intruder resistant building components, strongpoints, security enclosures and free-standing barriers

EN 356         Glass in building - Security glazing - Testing and classification of resistance against manual attack.

LPS 1175 and 1270 Tool Categories   Testing procedures for the LPCB approval

This is an extract not a full report and Architectural Armour Ltd accepts no liability for any loss, direct, indirect or consequential damage incurred by using this information, to the fullest extent permitted by law. You should make your own judgement as regards use of this document and seek out the full test standards.