Fire Rated Doors

Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 352 posts · 176 votes

Getting close to call for CO on a multi-unit gut rehab and realized that I neglected to use 1 hr fire rated doors for unit entry doors. Just used regular steel entry doors. Is this something that's going to 100% get flagged and need to be rectified? Is there any work around?

I've already trimmed and painted the doors in questions. Total of 12 doors that could be affected, so it will be a significant cost to remedy all of them.

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

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Bruce WoodruffPro Member

Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes

Yeah, that sucks.....typically you'll need that fire rating sticker/paperwork.

My first thought was to see if you can get a 'special inspection' maybe? Have a private inspector come out and verify that they are indeed metal, and are minimum thickness?

Then I looked it up and it seems as though it is a bigger deal than that. Maybe go down to the CIty Building Dept and talk to a Building Inspector. Go humble, hat-in-hand and see if they have any leeway...I mean this can't be the first time this has happened, right?

https://safti.com/articles/fire-rated-doors-standards-testing-and-glazing-requirements/

Fire ratings (20/45/60/90/180 minutes) are granted by third-party testing agencies and are labeled on the products.
Fire rated door assemblies must meet the requirements of the applicable building or life safety code, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC).
Fire doors are required to be self-closing and positive latching.
The fire rating of the wall dictates the fire rating of the door.

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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
1d
Yeah, that sucks.....typically you'll need that fire rating sticker/paperwork.
My first thought was to see if you can get a 'special inspection' maybe? Have a private inspector come out and verify that they are indeed metal, and are minimum thickness?
Then I looked it up and it seems as though it is a bigger deal than that. Maybe go down to the CIty Building Dept and talk to a Building Inspector. Go humble, hat-in-hand and see if they have any leeway...I mean this can't be the first time this has happened, right?
https://safti.com/articles/fire-rated-doors-standards-testing-and-glazing-requirements/
- Fire ratings (20/45/60/90/180 minutes) are granted by third-party testing agencies and are labeled on the products.
- Fire rated door assemblies must meet the requirements of the applicable building or life safety code, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC).
- Fire doors are required to be self-closing and positive latching.
- The fire rating of the wall dictates the fire rating of the door.
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Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 188 posts · 57 votes
1d
@Michael K. I would assume this may be flagged, especially if the unit entries open into a rated corridor or other required fire-resistance assembly. The exact rating may not necessarily be one hour—it depends on the adopted code, approved plans, building configuration, and sprinkler system—but ordinary steel doors are not automatically fire rated. Inspectors generally look for a listed and labeled assembly, including the door, frame, hardware, closer, latch, seals, glazing, and proper installation. Before replacing all 12, check the approved door schedule and ask the architect or code consultant to confirm the required rating, then discuss it with the inspector and a certified fire-door supplier. The manufacturer may be able to verify whether the installed doors and frames already qualify or whether an approved field-labeling path exists, but adding a label or coating to a standard door is not a reliable workaround. If they are noncompliant, correcting them before the CO inspection will likely be less costly than delaying the certificate. This is a life-safety item, so I would get the acceptable solution in writing from the authority having jurisdiction rather than hoping it passes.
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Amit PatelBusiness Member
Property Manager · Bartlett, IL · Member since 2025 · 144 posts · 57 votes
1d
Hey Michael,
On a multi unit gut rehab in Chicago going for a CO, unit entry doors that open to a corridor are very likely to get flagged if they are not labeled fire rated assemblies. Regular steel entry doors, even if they look solid, usually do not count unless they carry the required label and hardware.
For most apartment corridor openings the common requirement is a 20 minute fire door assembly with a closer. Stair doors are a different and higher rating. Because this is new work on a gut rehab, inspectors tend to apply current code rather than give existing door credit.
There is not a clean workaround once the doors are already trimmed and painted. Some owners ask the inspector or their expediter whether a labeled 20 minute slab in the same opening will pass, but counting on a waiver for 12 doors is risky. Budget the replacement now so it does not stall the CO.
Have your architect or permit expediter confirm the exact rating on your approved drawings before you order anything. That is faster than guessing and cheaper than failing the inspection twice.
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
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Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9h
Hey @Michael K. - Congrats getting as close as you are to the finish line I know how much work that is!

It's probably a 50/50 chance of it going through....did your guys paint the interior door labels sometimes thats a dead give way and they do not like when you paint them either.
I'd switch them either way - ultimately, it's a fire life safety item, which you want correct as the owner of the building.
It got brought up at our client's Bronzesville, Chicago property, and we had to switch them out after the fact.
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James Irvine
Lender · Las Vegas · Member since 2026 · 14 posts · 2 votes
33m
Oopsie,
Well I guess that depends on how sharp your inspector is and what level of professional integrity you have? If you don't get caught now and make it through, get your money, how will you deal with consequences of a future fire causing the loss of life? I am not trying to bust your chops brother. I still do flips and Commercial work once in a while as a break from my Commercial and Business Lending. Personally, it is only 12 doors. Replace them and save them for another job or sell them on FB Marketplace. If you need some extra funds, go to my website. As a fellow brother that has worked with his hands most of my life, do the right thing. Best wishes to you.
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