I need to install new hardware on a door, but I’m not sure if it’s fire-rated. How can I find out?
It is very important to know if a door is fire-rated before making any modifications to the door. Certain products and door modifications compromise the door’s ability to keep fire from passing through the opening.
If you install non-fire-rated hardware on a fire-rated door, the entire door opening will lose its fire rating. For example, non-fire-rated locks are not built to withstand the heat and/or pressure created by a fire and will likely fail, allowing the door to be blown open and fire to quickly pass through.
How to Find Fire-Rated Labels
So, how do you know if your door is fire-rated? Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Warnock Hersey (WH) fire label. At times, the label is easily found, and at others it can be quite difficult to locate. Below are some helpful tips for finding the fire label.
- Start by looking on the hinge side of the door. See the pictures below for various UL and Warnock Hersey (WH) labels that you may see. The critical component to look for is the circled “UL” or “WH.”
- On wood doors, the fire label can be on the hinge side or top of the door.
- Over time, the label may get painted over (see image to the side), so check carefully for any raised surfaces.
- The label may also be located on the top or bottom of the door.
- Some labels are embossed in the frame, so be sure to feel for any texturing/raised surfaces.
If you are still having trouble, reach out to your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – they should definitely be able to help.