CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.

About CDF Distributors

Which openings require fire-rated assemblies?

Openings in fire-rated wall assemblies require fire-rated door assemblies. Common locations include corridor walls, stairwell enclosures, elevator shaft enclosures, mechanical room walls, and occupancy separation walls. The specific requirements depend on the building code, occupancy type, and wall fire-resistance rating.

What fire ratings are required for corridor walls?

Corridor wall fire-rating requirements vary by occupancy type and building code. Common requirements include 20-minute assemblies for office corridors and up to 60-minute or 90-minute assemblies for healthcare and institutional facilities. The project's code analysis or fire protection engineer determines the specific requirement for each opening.

What happens during inspection if a non-fire-rated assembly is found in a fire-rated opening?

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will issue a code violation requiring the non-compliant assembly to be replaced with a properly rated one. The building may not receive a certificate of occupancy until all fire-rated openings are compliant. This applies to assemblies at all fire-rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute.

Can a fire rating be added to an existing non-fire-rated assembly?

No. Fire ratings cannot be added in the field. A fire-rated assembly must be manufactured, labeled, and installed as a complete tested unit. There is no retrofit process to convert a non-fire-rated door, frame, or hardware set into a fire-rated assembly. The entire opening must be replaced.

How much does it cost to replace a non-fire-rated assembly with a fire-rated one?

Replacement costs include the new fire-rated assembly, removal of the existing assembly, possible wall repairs, new installation labor, and potential project delays. The total cost is typically several times the price difference between fire-rated and non-fire-rated assemblies at the time of original order.

Frequently Asked Questions

CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete door, frame, and hardware assemblies online. ProBuilder displays compatible options and provides instant pricing.

For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Configure Your Door Assembly

Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies

Once a non-fire-rated assembly is identified in a fire-rated opening, the remediation process requires complete replacement. Fire ratings cannot be added in the field — there is no retrofit process to convert a non-fire-rated assembly to a fire-rated one.

The replacement assembly must include a fire-rated door, fire-rated frame, and fire-rated hardware, all listed for use together at the required rating. The opening must be inspected after installation to verify compliance, including verification of all fire labels, clearances, and hardware function.

Remediation Process

Installing a non-fire-rated assembly in a code-required fire-rated opening is a building code violation. The consequences include:

• Failed inspection — the AHJ will not approve the opening and may withhold certificate of occupancy for the entire building or floor

• Mandatory replacement — the non-fire-rated assembly must be removed and replaced with a compliant fire-rated assembly

• Project delays — replacement assemblies must be manufactured, shipped, and installed, adding weeks to the schedule

• Increased cost — the total cost includes the replacement assembly, removal labor, reinstallation labor, possible wall repairs, and schedule impact costs

In occupied buildings, the liability exposure is even greater. If a fire occurs and a non-fire-rated assembly is found in a fire-rated opening, the responsible parties face potential legal and insurance consequences.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-fire-rated assemblies end up in fire-rated openings through several common pathways. The most frequent is a failure to reference the door schedule or code analysis when ordering. If a contractor orders doors based on the architectural floor plan without cross-referencing the fire protection plan, fire-rated requirements can be missed.

Other causes include value engineering that removes fire ratings without proper code review, renovation projects where the existing fire rating is not identified, and miscommunication between the architect, fire protection engineer, and hardware specifier.

How This Mistake Happens

Building codes require fire-rated door assemblies in openings within fire-rated wall assemblies. The purpose is to maintain the fire compartmentation that limits fire and smoke spread through a building. These requirements are based on the International Building Code (IBC) and are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) during plan review and field inspection.

Common Fire-Rated Opening Locations

• Corridor walls separating corridors from adjacent spaces

• Stairwell enclosure walls (typically 1-hour or 2-hour rated)

• Elevator shaft enclosure walls

• Mechanical and electrical room walls

• Occupancy separation walls between different use groups

• Exit passageway walls

Fire-rated assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. The required rating for each opening depends on the wall's fire-resistance rating and the building code provisions for that specific application.

Code Requirements for Fire-Rated Openings

Review Status

Understanding the consequences of installing non-fire-rated assemblies where code requires fire protection

This guide answers: What Happens If Non-Fire-Rated Assemblies Are Installed in Code-Required Openings