A steel fire door is a metal doorset, usually a steel leaf in a pressed-steel frame, tested and certified as a complete assembly. Steel fire doors suit plant rooms, bin stores, warehouses and other back-of-house areas where durability and security matter as much as fire resistance.
Where steel fire doors are the better choice
Steel doorsets cope with impact, damp and rough handling better than most timber doors. They are a natural fit for plant and boiler rooms, refuse stores, car park lobbies, workshops and warehouses. Many steel doorsets are available in ratings of 60 minutes and beyond where the test evidence supports it, which suits the higher-rated walls around plant spaces.
How installation differs from timber
Steel frames are fixed with the anchors and fixing centres the manufacturer specifies, and frames are often grouted or packed according to the instructions. Steel doors usually arrive with hinges and hardware preparations made in the factory, so the hardware set must be ordered correctly at the outset. BS 8214:2026 now covers steel, metal and composite doors as well as timber, including how to seal them to the surrounding structure.
Security and finishes
Steel fire doors can combine fire resistance with security features such as heavier locks and anti-jemmy details, within the evidence. They are usually powder coated in a range of colours, which gives a hard-wearing finish for back-of-house areas.
Specification at a glance
- Construction
- Steel leaf in pressed-steel frame
- Ratings
- FD30 to FD60 and above where tested
- Configurations
- Single, double, leaf-and-a-half
- Finish
- Powder coat in a choice of colours
- Typical uses
- Plant rooms, bin stores, warehouses
- Hardware
- Factory prepared to the chosen set
What's included
- Single and double steel doorsets
- Ratings to suit the wall, including 60 minutes
- Factory-prepared hinges and hardware
- Locks, closers and panic hardware as specified
- Frame anchoring and gap sealing to instructions
- Powder-coated finishes
How the installation runs
- Survey the opening, wall type and use
- Specify rating, size, hardware and finish
- Order factory-prepared steel doorset
- Remove existing door and prepare the opening
- Anchor, pack and seal the frame; hang the leaf
- Commission closer and locks; record evidence
How much does it cost?
£900 – £2,200 ex VAT
£900–£2,200 per steel doorset supplied and fitted, ex VAT. These are guide figures; your price is fixed after a free survey. See all guide prices or try the guide-price tool.
Questions about steel fire doors
Are steel fire doors better than timber?
Not better, just suited to different places. Steel doors are tougher and resist damp and impact, so they suit plant rooms and industrial areas. Timber doors are more common in residential and office interiors.
Can steel fire doors be painted?
They are usually supplied powder coated. Repainting on site is possible but must avoid covering seals and labels, and should follow the manufacturer's guidance.
Do steel fire doors need intumescent seals?
Some steel doorsets use intumescent seals and some do not, depending on how they were tested. The certification sets out exactly what is required.
How long do steel doorsets take to make?
Steel doorsets are usually made to order with factory-prepared hardware, so allow a few weeks. We confirm the lead time with your quote.