Yes. Fire doors require fire-rated hinges.
Standard Door Hinges are not acceptable for fire door assemblies because they may fail under high heat, compromising the door’s ability to contain fire and smoke.

Why Fire Doors Need Special Hinges

Fire doors are tested and certified as complete assemblies. Hinges are a critical load-bearing component, and during a fire they must:

• Support the door’s weight as materials expand

• Remain operational at elevated temperatures

• Keep the door properly aligned within the frame

• Allow the door to close fully and latch

If a hinge fails, the fire door fails—regardless of how good the door leaf is.

What Makes a Hinge Suitable for a Fire Door

Fire door hinges must meet specific material, design, and certification requirements.

1. Fire Rating Certification

Hinges must be tested and rated for fire use, typically matching or exceeding the door’s fire rating (for example, 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes).

Common approvals include:

• UL listed

• EN-tested and certified

• Third-party fire test reports

2. Material Requirements

Fire-rated hinges are usually made from:

• Steel

• Stainless steel

Materials like aluminum, zinc alloy, or brass without certification are generally not permitted on fire doors.

3. Bearing Type

Most fire doors require:

• Ball bearing hinges

Ball bearings:

• Handle heavier fire door weights

• Reduce friction and wear

• Maintain smooth operation under heat stress

4. Minimum Quantity

Fire doors almost always require:

• At least 3 hinges per door leaf

Heavier or taller fire doors may require more, depending on local regulations.

5. Intumescent Protection (If Required)

In some regions, hinges must be:

• Fitted with intumescent pads or

• Tested as part of an assembly without pads

Intumescent materials expand in heat to seal gaps around the hinge area.

Fire Door Hinges vs Standard Hinges

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Hinges

Using non-fire-rated hinges on a fire door can:

• Invalidate the fire door certification

• Fail building inspections

• Void insurance coverage

• Create serious life-safety risks

• Lead to legal liability in commercial buildings

Residential vs Commercial Fire Doors

• Residential fire doors (garage-to-house, apartment entry)
  Still require fire-rated hinges, even if the door looks standard.

• Commercial fire doors (corridors, stairwells, exits)
  Have stricter requirements and inspections—hinge certification is always checked.

Key Takeaway

✔ Yes, fire doors require special fire-rated hinges
✔ Hinges must be certified, steel-based, load-rated, and code-compliant
✔ Using standard hinges can cause the entire fire door to fail certification