General Definition

• Fire doors are specialized doors with fire-resistance ratings that help prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. They are a critical component of passive fire protection systems, ensuring compartmentalization of fire hazards and allowing safe egress for occupants.
  • In Group A-1 occupancies (e.g., theaters, concert halls, auditoriums), fire doors are essential for maintaining fire-rated enclosures, exit routes, and assembly spaces.

• Building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and the Building Standards Law (BSL) of Japan establish specific requirements for fire doors, including fire-resistance ratings, self-closing mechanisms, smoke & draft control, and vision panels.

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Comparison Table

Element	IBC Table 716.2 (USA) – Fire Door Requirements for A-1 Occupancy	BSL Article 35 (Japan) – Fire Door Regulations
Fire Door Rating (Interior Partitions)	– Minimum 1-hour fire rating required for interior partitions.	– Stricter requirement of 1.5-hour fire rating for interior partitions.
Fire Door Rating (Exit Enclosures)	– Minimum 1.5-hour fire rating required for doors in exit stair enclosures.	– Stricter requirement of 2-hour fire rating for exit enclosure doors.
Smoke & Draft Control Requirement	– Doors must be tested for smoke & draft control in corridors and exit pathways.	– Stricter smoke containment requirements, especially in high-rise A-1 buildings.
Fire Door Self-Closing Mechanism	– Doors must be self-closing or automatic-closing upon fire alarm activation.	– Same as IBC but with stricter enforcement in fire-rated corridors.
Fire Door Vision Panels Requirement	– Not required for most fire doors.	– Required in some fire-rated doors to improve visibility and egress safety.

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Key Differences

1. Fire Door Ratings for Interior Partitions:
   • IBC requires a 1-hour fire rating.
   • BSL enforces a stricter 1.5-hour fire rating for additional safety.
2. Fire Door Ratings for Exit Enclosures:
   • IBC mandates a 1.5-hour rating for exit stair enclosures.
   • BSL enforces a stricter 2-hour rating for better fire protection.
3. Smoke & Draft Control Requirement:
   • IBC mandates smoke & draft control testing for corridors and exit routes.
   • BSL enforces stricter smoke control, especially in high-rise buildings.
4. Fire Door Vision Panels:
   • IBC does not require vision panels on most fire doors.
   • BSL mandates vision panels in some fire doors to improve egress safety.

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Recommendations for Improvement

Issue	IBC Recommendation	BSL Recommendation
Higher Fire Door Ratings for Exit Enclosures	Increase fire rating to 2 hours, similar to BSL.	Maintain current 2-hour standard for maximum protection.
Stronger Smoke & Draft Control Measures	Enforce stricter smoke containment in exit routes.	Improve standardized testing for smoke control effectiveness.
Fire Door Vision Panels	Require vision panels in fire doors where visibility aids egress.	Ensure vision panels do not compromise fire resistance.

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Key Insights

• Fire Door Rating for Interior Partitions:
  • IBC: 1-hour rating required.
  • BSL: Stricter 1.5-hour requirement.

• Fire Door Rating for Exit Enclosures:
  • IBC: 1.5-hour rating required.
  • BSL: Stricter 2-hour requirement.

• Smoke & Draft Control Requirements:
  • IBC requires testing for smoke control.
  • BSL enforces stricter smoke containment.

• Fire Door Vision Panels:
  • IBC: Not required in most cases.
  • BSL: Mandates vision panels for improved safety.

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Summary

1. BSL enforces stricter fire door ratings than IBC for A-1 occupancies.
2. BSL requires a 2-hour fire rating for exit enclosures, whereas IBC mandates only 1.5 hours.
3. BSL enforces stricter smoke control requirements in corridors and exit pathways.
4. BSL requires fire doors to have vision panels in certain locations for better safety.
5. Both codes enforce self-closing or automatic-closing mechanisms for fire doors.