FD30 and FD60 are the two fire-resistance ratings you will see most often on UK fire doors: 30 minutes and 60 minutes. Which one you need depends on the building, the opening and the fire risk assessment — not on which door looks better. Vizat lists both ratings in its fire door collection; this guide explains the difference in plain terms and points you to official UK sources and to the relevant products.
This article is general guidance, written with England in mind, and is not legal advice. Fire door requirements depend on the building, its use, the fire strategy and the fire risk assessment. Rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can differ. If you are unsure, take advice from a competent fire safety professional before you buy or fit a door.
What FD30 and FD60 mean
In UK practice, FD30 describes a fire door (more precisely, a fire-resisting doorset) specified to resist fire for 30 minutes. FD60 is specified for 60 minutes. The letters “FD” are a conventional rating label used across the trade; they are not a substitute for the test evidence, installation and maintenance that make a door effective.
Fire resistance of doorsets is commonly assessed against British Standard BS 476 or the European standard BS EN 1634. Those are test standards. They do not, on their own, tell you which rating a particular opening in a particular building must have.
Vizat product titles and descriptions use this language directly. For example, the Oak Veneer Non Glazed FD30 Internal Fire Door is described on its product page as “sold and certified as a single 30 minute fire door”. The Oak Veneer 20G Glazed FD60 Internal Fire Door is described as “sold and certified as a single 60 minute fire door”. We do not reproduce test certificates or scheme names here beyond that published wording. If you need documentation for a project, ask Vizat before you order.
FD30 vs FD60 at a glance
| Point | FD30 | FD60 |
|---|---|---|
| Fire resistance period | 30 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Typical role | Widely used for many internal fire doors in dwellings, flats and smaller commercial settings, where the fire strategy calls for 30 minutes | Used where the fire strategy or compartmentation requires 60 minutes, including some higher-risk or more onerous walls and openings |
| How the rating is chosen | By the building regulations route, the fire strategy and the fire risk assessment — not by preference alone | |
| Vizat range | Listed across veneer, plywood paint-grade and some panel and external doors in the fire doors collection | Also listed in that collection; check each product, because the size options shown are not always the same as the FD30 equivalent |
| Ironmongery | Vizat door pages state that handles and additional ironmongery are not included. Closers, hinges, seals and locks must be suitable for a fire door | |
Which rating do you need?
There is no single rule that every house, flat or HMO must use FD30, or that every communal corridor must use FD60. In England, guidance on means of escape and compartmentation is set out in Approved Document B. The guide to fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats discusses fire-resisting doors in existing blocks. For occupied buildings, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the responsible person, including fire risk assessment.
As a buying prompt, not a legal test:
- Start with any written fire strategy, specification or fire risk assessment for the building.
- If the opening is a flat entrance, a door onto a stair, or a door in a compartment wall, treat the rating as a specified item, not a style choice.
- If you only have a door size and a finish in mind, pause and get the rating confirmed before you order.
What else matters besides the minutes
A fire door only does its job as a complete assembly: the leaf, frame or lining, intumescent seals, and hardware such as hinges, latch and a self-closer, all fitted with the right gaps. Vizat also sells frames and linings and fire door accessories. Product pages do not include handles with the door leaf.
For inspections once a door is in use, see Vizat’s article on fire door maintenance and inspection and the government’s fire door guidance under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
How to browse the Vizat range
Use the FD30 & FD60 Fire Doors collection and filter by the product title (FD30 or FD60). Solid doors are grouped in Non-Glazed Fire Doors. Glazed styles are also listed by pane layout, for example 20G. External plywood fire doors are in External Fire Doors.
The doors sit alongside veneer collections such as oak and plywood paint-grade options. Finish notes on many product pages mention paint grade, primed, painted (RAL colour) and laminate as choices — use the product page or a quote request to confirm how those options are ordered.
Frequently asked questions
Is FD60 always better than FD30?
Not automatically. FD60 is tested or specified for a longer period of fire resistance, but the rating you need is the one required for that opening by the building’s fire strategy and fire risk assessment. Fitting a higher rating than necessary can still be acceptable in some cases, but it is not a substitute for getting the specification right.
Do I need FD30 or FD60 for a flat entrance door?
It depends on the building. Many purpose-built flats use a 30-minute fire-resisting door at the flat entrance, but some designs, conversions or risk assessments call for 60 minutes. Check the fire risk assessment, any fire strategy drawings and, for new work, Approved Document B. This is not legal advice.
Does Vizat sell both FD30 and FD60 doors?
Yes. The FD30 & FD60 Fire Doors collection lists both ratings, including veneer and plywood paint-grade doors, glazed and non-glazed styles, and some external plywood fire doors. Each product page states whether the door is sold as a 30-minute or 60-minute fire door. Available sizes can differ between products, so check the options on the page.
Are handles and closers included with a Vizat fire door?
Product descriptions for the doors reviewed state that handles and additional ironmongery are not included. You will need compatible fire door hardware, such as the items in the Fire Door Accessories collection. See our guide to fire door ironmongery.
Where can I read the official rules?
Start with Approved Document B (fire safety), the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and, for multi-occupied residential buildings in England over 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the government fire door guidance.
Related guides and products
You may also find these Vizat guides useful:
- Fire door sizes in the UK
- Glazed fire door rules
- Choosing a fire door for an HMO or flat
- Fire door ironmongery: closers, hinges and seals
- How to measure and fit a fire door
Existing Vizat articles on regulations and upkeep:
For product questions, contact Vizat Doors on the contact page, email info@vizatdoors.co.uk or call 0116 319 1940.