Key Features
Maximum fire protection for critical applications
120 Minute Maximum Protection
Two full hours of fire resistance - the maximum rating available for standard fire door assemblies. Protects critical assets and provides maximum evacuation time.
- Maximum protection
- Critical assets
- Extended evacuation
Critical Infrastructure
Essential for data centers, server rooms, fire command centers, and emergency operations centers where asset protection is paramount.
- Data center protection
- Business continuity
- Asset security
Hazardous Area Protection
Required for hazardous material storage, chemical storage rooms, and areas with high fire risk requiring maximum containment time.
- Chemical containment
- Risk mitigation
- Code compliance
Heavy-Duty Construction
70mm thick steel construction with high-density mineral core. Maximum structural integrity during fire conditions.
- Structural integrity
- Fire containment
- Long-term performance
Limited Vision Options
Vision panels up to 645 cm² (100 sq in) with fire-rated ceramic or intumescent glass. Same limit as 90-minute doors.
- Code compliant
- Safety viewing
- Fire integrity
Full Certifications
UL 10C, BS 476-22, EN 1634-1, and GB 12955 certified for 120-minute rating. Complete documentation for AHJ approval.
- Global acceptance
- AHJ approval
- Full documentation
Note: 120-minute fire doors provide the maximum available fire protection and are specified only where building codes or risk assessments require the highest level of fire resistance.
Material Options
Material options for maximum fire protection
Critical: Wood NOT Available at 120-Minute
WOODEN FIRE DOORS CANNOT ACHIEVE 120-MINUTE RATING. The maximum fire rating achievable with timber construction is 90 minutes. This limitation is due to the fundamental properties of wood under extended fire exposure—no amount of treatment or construction refinement can achieve 2-hour performance.
Alternative: For applications requiring both 120-minute protection and wood aesthetics, consider steel fire door with timber cladding on the non-fire side only. This approach must be verified with fire engineer.
The standard and most practical material for 120-minute fire doors. Heavy-gauge steel construction with maximum-density core provides reliable 2-hour fire protection.
Advantages
- Standard material for 120-minute applications
- Most cost-effective option at maximum rating
- Best availability among 120-minute options
- Full certification range available
Best For
Maximum fire-rated transparency. Achieving 2-hour fire resistance in glass requires the most advanced multi-layer intumescent technology. Glazing areas are severely restricted.
Advantages
- Transparency with maximum 2-hour rating
- Full EI120 (integrity + insulation)
- Essential where visibility is code-required
Limitations
- Severely restricted glazing area
- Very high cost (most expensive)
- Longest lead times
Maximum fire protection combined with corrosion resistance and hygienic properties. Specified for critical applications in demanding environments.
Advantages
- Maximum rating with full corrosion resistance
- Hygienic surface—easy to clean
- Premium appearance maintained long-term
Best For
90 Minutes Maximum for Wood
No wooden fire door can achieve 120-minute rating
Wood, as an organic material, will eventually char and fail under sustained fire exposure. The 90-minute limit represents the fundamental performance boundary of timber fire door technology.
Alternatives
- Steel door with timber cladding on non-fire side (verify with fire engineer)
- Specify 90-minute wood if code permits lower rating
120-Minute Material Comparison
| Property | Steel | Glass (EI120) | Stainless Steel | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Best at 120-min | Very Limited | Limited | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Cost | $$$$ | $$$$$+ | $$$$$ | N/A |
| Lead Time | 8-12 weeks | 12-16+ weeks | 10-14 weeks | N/A |
| Weight (Std Size) | ~75-85kg | Very Heavy | ~75-85kg | N/A |
| Aesthetics | Industrial | Premium (restricted) | Premium metallic | N/A |
| Corrosion Resistance | Moderate | Good | Excellent | N/A |
| Vision Panel Options | Very Limited | Full (restricted area) | Very Limited | N/A |
Technical Specifications
FD120 maximum fire protection specifications
Standard Dimensions
| Dimension | Single Door | Double Door |
|---|---|---|
| Width (Min) | 762mm (30") | 1524mm (60") |
| Width (Standard) | 914mm (36") | 1828mm (72") |
| Width (Max) | 1219mm (48") | 2438mm (96") |
| Height (Min) | 2032mm (80") | 2032mm (80") |
| Height (Standard) | 2134mm (84") | 2134mm (84") |
| Height (Max) | 2743mm (108") | 2743mm (108") |
| Thickness | 70mm (2-3/4") | |
Available Constructions
Steel FD120
- Face Skin: 14/16 gauge cold-rolled steel
- Core: High-density mineral fiber (200+ kg/m³)
- Finish: Powder coat or primer
Glass FD120
- Glazing: Intumescent gel glass (EI 120)
- Frame: Heavy steel frame
- Vision Area: Up to 90% with special assembly
Stainless Steel FD120
- Face Skin: 14/16 gauge 304/316 stainless
- Core: High-density mineral fiber
- Finish: Satin or polished
Vision Panel Specifications
Maximum Vision Panel Area: 645 cm² (100 sq in)
Glass Types: Intumescent gel glass only (Pyrostop, Contraflam). Note: Ceramic glass alone does not achieve EI 120 rating.
Performance Data
Code-Required Applications
Required Applications
- Fire command centers
- Data centers / server rooms
- Hazardous material storage
- 3-4 hour fire barriers (door = half barrier rating)
- Critical infrastructure
Special Considerations
- Weight requires heavy-duty frames and hardware
- Specialized installation requirements
- Mechanical lifting equipment required
120-Minute Fire Door Applications
Maximum fire protection for the most critical separations
120-minute fire doors provide the highest level of fire resistance commercially available—two full hours of protection. This maximum rating is reserved for the most critical fire separations where extended protection time is essential for life safety, property protection, or code compliance.
Key Principle: 120-minute doors are specified only where the highest level of fire protection is absolutely required.
Primary Applications
Buildings exceeding 120 meters (40+ stories) often require 120-minute protection for primary exit stairwells. Extended evacuation time demands maximum fire containment.
Requirements
- • Super high-rise building codes (IBC Type I-A)
- • Primary exit enclosures in buildings over 120m
- • Pressurization shaft integrity requirements
- • Fire service access stairwells
Why Maximum Rating: Total evacuation of 60+ story buildings may require 90+ minutes—120-minute rating provides essential safety margin.
Fire command centers and emergency operations rooms require maximum protection to remain operational throughout extended fire events.
Requirements
- • Fire command center code requirements
- • Building management system protection
- • Emergency generator control rooms
- • Security control centers
Why Maximum Rating: Command facilities must remain protected and operational for duration of major fire event.
Utilities, telecommunications, and essential services infrastructure require 120-minute protection where fire damage could affect critical services.
Requirements
- • Telecommunications switching centers
- • Power generation and distribution facilities
- • Water treatment control rooms
- • Transportation hub control centers
Why Maximum Rating: Infrastructure failure affects public safety beyond the building itself.
Tier IV data centers specify 120-minute fire doors to protect irreplaceable data and ensure continuous operations.
Requirements
- • Tier IV data center standards
- • Financial services computing facilities
- • Government classified data centers
- • Healthcare records protection
Why Maximum Rating: Data loss prevention and 99.995% uptime requirements demand maximum protection.
Facilities handling nuclear materials or hazardous chemicals require 120-minute protection as part of comprehensive containment strategies.
Requirements
- • Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements
- • OSHA Process Safety Management
- • EPA Risk Management Program
- • Industry-specific containment standards
Why Maximum Rating: Containment of hazardous materials requires extended time for emergency response.
Deep underground facilities—metro stations, tunnels, underground parking—often require 120-minute protection due to extended evacuation times.
Requirements
- • Deep metro station requirements
- • Vehicular and rail tunnel regulations
- • Underground parking in high-rise buildings
- • Subterranean shopping complexes
Why Maximum Rating: Limited egress options and emergency access require maximum containment time.
Secondary Applications
Parking Garage Separations
Separation between high-rise parking structures and building cores
90-120 min depending on height
Mechanical Shaft Enclosures
Protection of major vertical shafts in super high-rise construction
120 min for tallest buildings
Archives & Museum Storage
Protection of irreplaceable cultural heritage and historical documents
120 min for highest-value collections
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Protection of drug manufacturing areas and clean room facilities
90-120 min based on regulation
Financial Trading Floors
Protection of critical financial infrastructure
120 min for primary facilities
Hospital Critical Areas
Operating rooms, ICU, and life-critical patient areas
Per local code requirements
Requirements by Building Type
| Building Type | Typical Locations | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Super High-Rise Commercial (150m+) | All exit stairwells, Elevator lobbies, Refuge floors, Fire command | IBC Type I-A with local amendments |
| Tier IV Data Centers | All fire compartment doors, Electrical room separation, Equipment corridors | TIA-942, Uptime Institute Tier IV |
| Nuclear Facilities | Containment boundaries, Control room access, Emergency egress | 10 CFR 50 Appendix R, NFPA 805 |
| Metro Stations (Deep) | Platform level egress, Ventilation shafts, Emergency corridors | NFPA 130, Local transit authority |
| Critical Infrastructure | Control rooms, Equipment protection, Emergency generator | Facility-specific regulations |
Certifications
Maximum rating certification requirements and compliance
120-minute fire doors represent the highest standard of fire resistance certification available for swinging door assemblies. Achieving this maximum rating requires the most rigorous testing protocols, with door assemblies subjected to two full hours of fire exposure.
120-minute is the maximum standard fire door rating—certification requirements are the most stringent.
Rating Designations
Primary Certifications
UL 10C - 2 Hour Rating
Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies (120 minutes)
The definitive North American fire door test standard. 120-minute UL 10C certification subjects the complete door assembly to two hours of fire exposure under positive pressure conditions.
Test Conditions
- • Duration: 120 minutes (full 2 hours)
- • Temperature: 1010°C (1850°F) at 2 hours
- • Positive pressure (simulating compartment fire)
- • 30-second hose stream test after fire exposure
Requirements
- • Door and frame assembly tested together
- • All hardware components included
- • No flaming passage for 120 minutes
- • Withstand hose stream without passage
BS 476: Part 22 - 120 Minutes
Fire resistance tests for non-loadbearing elements
EN 1634-1 - EI120
Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door assemblies
GB 12955 - Grade A (甲级)
Fire Resistant Doorsets - Steel
Euwoo 120-Minute Fire Door Certifications
Certifications Held
- UL 10C Listed (120-minute / 2-hour)
- BS 476: Part 22 (FD120)
- EN 1634-1 (EI120)
- GB 12955 Grade A (甲级)
- UL 1784 smoke and draft control
Quality Assurance
- ISO 9001 manufacturing quality system
- Annual product audits by listing agencies
- Third-party quality control programs
- Complete traceability from materials to installation
Installation Requirements
Critical installation requirements for maximum-rated fire door assemblies
Critical Installation Notice
120-minute fire doors are the heaviest and most demanding fire doors to install. Weighing 75-85+ kg for standard single doors, they require mechanical lifting equipment, specialized installers, and careful structural verification. Installation MUST be performed by experienced personnel.
Pre-Installation Requirements
Structural Verification
- • Verify wall achieves 120-minute fire rating
- • Confirm structure supports 75-85+ kg door + frame
- • Verify anchor points engage solid construction
- • Consider engineer certification for critical applications
Mechanical Lifting Required
- • 120-minute doors are TOO HEAVY for manual handling
- • Door lift or vacuum lift equipment REQUIRED
- • Plan equipment access to installation location
- • Do not attempt manual lifting—injury risk
Hardware Requirements
| Component | Requirement | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hinges | Maximum-duty fire-rated ball bearing (Grade 1) | 4-5 hinges standard for 120-minute |
| Door Closer | EN 6-7 or equivalent maximum-duty fire-rated | Standard closers are UNDERSIZED |
| Lockset | Fire-rated mortise lock listed for 2-hour | Verify listing for 120-minute application |
| Exit Device | Maximum-duty panic hardware listed for 120-min | Not all exit devices tested at 2-hour |
| Frame Anchors | Minimum 5-6 anchors per jamb | Standard 3 per jamb is INSUFFICIENT |
Clearance Requirements
Critical Installation Mistakes to Avoid
Attempting Manual Door Lift
Serious injury risk; potential door damage. ALWAYS use mechanical lifting.
Undersized Closer (EN 3-5)
Closer fails to reliably close heavy door. Specify EN 6-7 minimum.
Incomplete Frame Grouting
Fire bypass—rating completely voided before 2 hours. 100% grouting required.
Only 3-4 Hinges
Hinge overload, door sag, premature failure. 4-5 hinges standard.
Inspection Checklist
Labels & Hardware
- Fire labels showing 120-min / 2-hour rating
- 4-5 hinges installed (standard single door)
- Maximum-duty closer (EN 6-7) installed
- All hardware verified for 2-hour listing
Clearances & Seals
- Head and jamb clearances ≤3mm
- Intumescent seals continuous
- Frame COMPLETELY grouted (no voids)
- Door closes and latches positively
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about 120-minute fire doors
120-minute doors are required for: fire command centers, 3-4 hour fire barriers (doors = half barrier rating), data centers in some jurisdictions, hazardous material storage, and critical infrastructure facilities.
