Fire-Rated Overhead Doors: When Are They Required?

In many industrial and commercial buildings, a standard overhead door won’t cut it. Whether you're separating hazardous materials, protecting life safety corridors, or meeting strict fire codes, a fire-rated overhead door isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s often a legal requirement.

But knowing when and where these doors are required can be confusing, especially in older buildings or multi-use facilities.

Let’s break it down.

What Is a Fire-Rated Overhead Door?

A fire-rated overhead door is a specially engineered barrier designed to:

• Withstand high temperatures (up to 3+ hours)

• Prevent the spread of smoke and fire between zones

• Automatically close when triggered by a fire alarm or fusible link
  

These are typically rolling steel doors with insulated curtain slats and fire-rated guides. Some may integrate smoke seals or vision lites depending on application.

Unlike standard sectional or coiling doors, fire-rated doors are tested and certified to meet standards like:

• NFPA 80

• UL 10B, 10C

• CAN/ULC-S104 (Canada)
  

When Are Fire-Rated Doors Required?

In Ontario and across Canada, fire-rated doors are mandated by the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and referenced national codes.

You may be required to install a fire-rated door in the following cases:

1. Between Fire-Rated Zones

If your building has compartmentalized fire zones, fire-rated doors are needed where these zones are divided by overhead openings — typically in:

• Warehouses with mixed-use occupancy

• Manufacturing plants with hazardous storage

• Automotive or spray booth enclosures
  

2. In Shared Spaces or Multi-Tenant Buildings

In strip malls, storage centres, or industrial parks, shared firewall separations require fire-rated closures. If your overhead door penetrates a firewall, it must match the wall’s rating.

Example: A tenant-to-tenant separation with a 2-hour fire wall = 2-hour rated fire door requirement.

3. To Protect Exit Paths or Corridors

Any door that separates a designated exit route or life safety corridor from a warehouse or production floor may require a fire rating. These doors help protect occupants during evacuation.

4. In High-Hazard Storage or Handling Areas

If you store flammable goods, compressed gases, or perform operations that involve heat, spark, or chemical risk — your building code authority may require fire-rated separation.

Understanding Fire Ratings: 45 Min, 90 Min, 3-Hour

Fire-rated doors aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re certified to specific durations:

Rating	Use Case Example
45 Min	Corridor partition in non-combustible building
90 Min	Between warehouse and office spaces
3-Hour	Wall opening in a 3-hour rated firewall separating high-risk zones

Always match the door’s fire rating to the wall’s rating, unless directed otherwise by a fire protection engineer.

How Fire Doors Close Automatically

A key feature of all fire-rated overhead doors is that they must self-close during a fire event.

They do this through:

• Fusible link release systems (melts at ~165°F / 74°C)

• Fire alarm integration (via a heat or smoke detector)

• Motorised closing system with battery backup or gravity drop
  

The door must close fully — and in a controlled, safe manner — without human intervention.

Inspection & Maintenance Requirements

Fire doors aren’t install-and-forget. The National Fire Code of Canada and Ontario’s local fire authorities require:

• Annual inspection and drop test

• Reset and repair of any non-compliant fire doors

• Documentation of each test, including technician sign-off

ELDS offers annual fire door inspections with documented drop tests. We handle resets, link replacements, and report delivery — helping you stay compliant and protected.

Common Mistakes We See

1. Unrated doors used in rated walls→ Results in code violations during fire inspections

2. Fire-rated door installed but never tested→ Many clients don’t realise annual drop testing is mandatory

3. Disconnected fusible links or alarm triggers→ Sometimes removed during renovations or electrical work

4. Damaged guides or missing signage→ Door is physically compromised and no longer compliant
   

Who’s Responsible for Fire Door Compliance?

Ultimately, the building owner or property manager is responsible for ensuring fire-rated assemblies are code-compliant. But the risk spreads across:

• Facilities teams

• Health & safety officers

• Architects and general contractors (on new builds or renos)

At ELDS, we often work directly with safety officers and compliance managers to build inspection plans — and we collaborate with GCs on spec-driven installs.

ELDS Fire-Rated Door Services

We supply, install, and maintain certified fire-rated rolling steel doors throughout Ontario. Our services include:

• Compliance-based door recommendations

• Fire-rated retrofits in existing firewalls

• Alarm integration with local systems

• Annual drop testing and reporting

• Replacement of fusible links and reset systems

• Coordination with fire inspectors or compliance auditors
  

Whether you need a single retrofit or a full facility plan, we’ll keep your people safe — and your business compliant.

Need a Fire-Rated Door Quote or Drop Test?

Don’t wait for a failed inspection to find out your doors aren’t compliant.

Contact ELDS for a fire-rated door audit, installation quote, or annual inspection service.

We help Ontario businesses meet fire code requirements — and stay ahead of risk. Disclaimer:

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, building code, or fire safety advice. Fire door requirements can vary by jurisdiction, building type, and use, and may change over time as codes are updated. Always consult with a qualified building code consultant, fire protection engineer, or the relevant authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to confirm specific requirements for your facility before making decisions or installations.