Fire doors are a cornerstone of passive fire protection in any building. They compartmentalize fire, slow its spread, and give occupants precious time to evacuate. But despite their critical role, there’s still a surprising amount of misinformation around how they work and when they’re needed.
Whether you’re working on a hospital, office, factory, cleanroom, or residential project, understanding the truth about fire doors is essential for both compliance and safety.
Here are five common myths — and the real facts that could make all the difference.
Myth 1: All Fire Doors Are the Same
Reality: Fire doors come in many types — and they are not interchangeable.
They differ in certifications (UL, BS, ISI), fire resistance ratings (30, 60, 90, 120 minutes), materials, and intended applications. A door designed for a cleanroom won’t work in a high-rise stairwell. Fire shaft doors, for instance, are made to protect vertical risers and ducts. Others are built for corridors, server rooms, or labs.
Using the wrong door isn’t just poor practice — it’s a compliance failure. In a fire, it could mean the difference between containment and catastrophe.
Myth 2: You Can Turn Any Door into a Fire Door
Reality: A fire-rated door is a precisely engineered system — not a regular door with a label.
Certified fire doors are built from the inside out with specialized components. These include a fire-resistant core, intumescent seals that expand with heat, smoke control seals, and tested frames with fire-rated hinges, closers, and hardware. Every element works together under strict testing standards.
For example, steel lead-lined fire doors in hospitals offer both fire protection and radiation shielding — something an ordinary door can’t replicate or retrofit.
You can’t turn a basic wooden door into a fire door. Without testing, certification, and the correct materials, it simply won’t perform under fire conditions.
Myth 3: Fire Doors Don’t Need Maintenance
Reality: Fire doors need regular inspection and upkeep to function properly.
Even the highest-rated door can fail if:
It doesn’t close automatically
The gaps between the door and frame are too wide
Seals are damaged or missing
Hinges or latches are loose or broken
Fire doors are only effective when all their parts are intact and working. Routine inspections should check alignment, hardware condition, and the presence of all seals. Many local regulations now require these checks to be logged and certified.
A neglected fire door is as dangerous as having no fire door at all.
Myth 4: It’s Fine to Prop Fire Doors Open Temporarily
Reality: A fire door that’s open is a fire risk.
Fire and smoke move fast. An open door becomes a channel, allowing flames and toxic gases to spread rapidly. That defeats the whole purpose of the fire door.
If accessibility is a concern, use electromagnetic door holders linked to the fire alarm system. These hold the door open during normal operation but release it to close during an alarm.
Never prop open a fire door with a wedge, box, or chair. It might seem harmless — but in an emergency, it’s a life-threatening decision.
Myth 5: Fire Doors Are Only for Factories or High-Risk Buildings
Reality: Fire doors are necessary in all types of buildings — not just industrial ones.
They’re essential in schools, hospitals, apartments, hotels, malls, cleanrooms, and even homes. Fire doesn’t discriminate by building type.
In clean environments like pharmaceutical facilities, fire-rated cleanroom doors are designed to meet hygiene standards while still providing certified fire protection. You don’t have to choose between safety and compliance — you can (and should) have both.
Assuming fire doors are only for “high-risk” areas is outdated thinking — and a dangerous oversight.
The Bottom Line: Fire Doors Only Work When Used Properly
Fire doors are more than just a legal requirement. They’re life-saving tools — but only when:
The right type is selected for the job
They’re installed correctly by certified professionals
They’re inspected and maintained regularly
They’re used according to code — meaning they stay closed or are fitted with compliant hold-open devices
Misunderstanding how fire doors work can cost lives. By avoiding these five myths, you make your building safer, more compliant, and better prepared for emergencies.
Every fire door is a frontline defense. Make sure yours is ready.