What Goes Wrong With Fire-Rated Doors?
Fire doors fail inspection for ordinary reasons. Labels get painted over. Gaps grow as hinges wear. A closer is removed because the door was hard to open, or a hold-open device is added that does not release on alarm. Someone drills a hole for a new lock and voids the label. In condos and older office buildings, these small changes add up until the fire inspector issues an order listing a dozen openings with a deadline. Our NFPA 80 fire door inspection checklist covers the checks to run before that happens.
Fire doors are assemblies. The door, frame, hinges, closer, latch and any glass are tested together. Change one piece with the wrong part and the opening is no longer rated.
What Is Included in Fire-Rated Door Installation?
A complete labelled assembly installed to NFPA 80 by a commercial door contractor in Toronto, or corrections to existing assemblies so they meet it again.
The written CAD spec lists, per opening:
- Required rating from OBC Part 3 or the existing frame label
- Labelled door and frame, tested to CAN/ULC-S104 and UL 10C positive pressure
- Rated hinges, closer and positive latching hardware
- Fire exit hardware where the door is also an exit
- Rated ceramic glass and intumescent gasket where specified
- Steel astragal on rated pairs
- Correct vs replace decision for existing doors
- Photo and label record plan
Technician confirms specs and price at your free on-site measure.
Types of Fire-Rated Openings We Install
Stairwell doors
Usually 60 or 90-minute assemblies with fire exit hardware, closers and positive latching.
Corridor doors
Rated corridor doors in condos, offices and schools, often in pairs with astragals and magnetic hold-opens tied to the alarm.
Service and electrical room doors
Rated doors on electrical, mechanical and storage rooms, often with locksets and signage.
Order corrections
New closers, latches, hinges, labels or gap fixes on existing assemblies where replacement is not needed.
How Much Does a Fire-Rated Door Cost in Toronto?
| Scope | Typical range | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Correction (closer, latch, hinges) | Below range, quoted per item | Parts and labour |
| 60-min single door in existing labelled frame | $2,500-$4,000 | Hardware set |
| 90-min stair assembly, new frame, exit device | $4,500-$7,000 | Frame, device, glazing |
When Do You Need Fire-Rated Door Work?
- A fire inspection order lists door deficiencies
- New construction or a renovation creates or changes fire separations
- Labels are missing or painted over
- Doors do not close and latch on their own
- Hardware has been changed without rated parts
Correct or Replace?
Many listed doors can be corrected with a new closer, latch or hinge set. Assemblies with damaged labels, oversized gaps or unapproved modifications usually need replacing. Our scope separates the two so you only pay for what the order requires.
Codes and Standards
NFPA 80, CAN/ULC-S104, UL 10C positive pressure, OBC Part 3 fire separations and the Ontario Fire Code. Our crew is NFPA 80 trained.