UDWithout Proper Insulation
- Radiant heat
- Severe burn risk
- Life safety concern
- Property damage
- Reduced evacuation safety
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GAZETTED AMENDMENTJULY 2023
IS 3614:2021Amendment No. 1
Clearer fire-door classification. Stronger building safety. Better protection against heat.
The Government of India, through the Bureau of Indian Standards, notified Amendment No. 1 to IS 3614:2021 — Fire Doors and Doorsets — Specification in July 2023. The amendment brings clearer classification of fire doors based on integrity and insulation performance, helping architects, fire officers, consultants, builders and residents make more informed safety decisions.
- Mandatory suffixes: UD, PI and ID
- Integrity and insulation shown separately
- Door, frame, hardware and accessories as one assembly
- Test reference updated to IS 17518 Part 1
Written for everyone who touches a fire door
- ArchitectsDesign with clarity.
- Fire OfficersApprove with confidence.
- BuildersBuild safer spaces.
- ConsultantsSpecify the right fire door.
- ResidentsLive with greater safety.
1Why full insulation matters
A fire door should not become a heat hazard on the safe side.
During a fire, the danger is not only visible flame. Radiant heat and temperature rise on the non-fire side can increase risk for people evacuating, rescue teams operating nearby and property on the protected side.
A fully insulated fire door helps reduce heat transmission for the full rated duration, giving occupants, responders and building systems better protection during critical minutes.
IDWith Full Insulation
- Blocks heat transmission
- Supports safer evacuation
- Protects occupants
- Protects property
- Improves compliance clarity
It is not just about stopping fire. It is about stopping heat long enough to save lives.
2The gazette moment
A government-notified amendment that changed fire-door classification in India.
The Gazette of India notification formally records Amendment No. 1 to IS 3614:2021, Fire Doors and Doorsets — Specification. The amendment was established on 3 July 2023, with the previous version without the amendment remaining in force only until 2 January 2024.
This matters because fire-door selection is no longer only about the number of minutes a door can resist flame passage. The amendment makes insulation performance visible through clear suffixes, so the difference between uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated doors is easier to identify.
Fire safety should not depend on unclear specifications.The amendment brings language, classification and responsibility into sharper focus.
The Gazette of India
Extraordinary · Part III — Section 4 · Bureau of Indian Standards- Standard
- IS 3614:2021 — Fire Doors and Doorsets — Specification
- Instrument
- Amendment No. 1
- Established
- 3 July 2023
- Notified
- 4 July 2023
- Previous version
Without amendment— valid only up to 2 January 2024- New suffixes
- UD PI ID
3Why this amendment matters
Fire doors are not just about stopping flames. They are also about stopping heat.
A fire door is expected to act as part of a complete fire door assembly. IS 3614:2021 describes a fire door assembly as a combination of door, frame, hardware and accessories that together provide a specific fire-resistance rating in terms of integrity and insulation when installed in openings.
Earlier, many conversations around fire doors focused mainly on fire rating duration. But in real building safety, heat transmission can be equally critical. A door that maintains integrity but does not provide adequate insulation may still allow dangerous heat transfer to the non-fire side.
IntegrityIntegrity stops flame and hot gases.
InsulationInsulation limits temperature rise.
TogetherBoth matter when human life and evacuation safety are involved.
Integrity
DefinitionAbility of a separating element, when exposed to fire on one side, to prevent passage of flames and hot gases or occurrence of flame on the unexposed side.
Insulation
DefinitionResistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face, up to a maximum of 180°C at any single point and a maximum average temperature of 140°C.
Average ≤ 140°CAny single point ≤ 180°C
4The journey
From concern to a safer, clearer standard.
IS 3614:2021 was introduced as the first revision of the Indian Standard for Fire Doors and Doorsets. It widened the standard’s scope and covered product design, manufacturing, testing, supply, installation and compliance requirements.
- Before 2021
Evolving practice
Older provisions and evolving practices created limited clarity around insulation expectations and practical fire-door performance.
- 2021
IS 3614:2021 First Revision
The 2021 standard comprehensively revised fire-door requirements. It covered fire-rated metal swing doors, wooden composite swing doors, metal sliding doors and metal rolling shutters, along with supply, installation and maintenance of fire door assemblies.
- Concern phase
Insulation needed clarity
The insulation classification needed clearer communication. Fire doors with only minimum insulation and fire doors with full-duration insulation needed to be separated more transparently.
- July 2023
Gazetted Amendment No. 1
Amendment No. 1 introduced clearer classification language for uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated fire doors.
- Outcome
Specify with certainty
Architects, fire officers, consultants and builders can now specify fire doors with clearer understanding of whether the product is UD, PI or ID.
5The key change
Clear distinction through mandatory suffixes: UD, PI and ID.
The amendment separates fire doors into three clear classifications based on insulation and integrity performance:
- UDUninsulated Fire DoorIntegrity only
- PIPartially Insulated Fire DoorMin. 30 min insulation
- IDFully Insulated Fire DoorInsulation = integrity
This makes the performance expectation visible in the fire-door designation itself.
Read a designation. Choose a suffix.
FDFire door
120Integrity, minutes
IDFully Insulated — insulation equals integrity
Integrity120 min
Insulation120 min
Flame resistance and heat protection for the full declared 120 minutes.
6The three classifications
Same fire rating. Three very different doors.
Every class below carries the same integrity rating. What changes is how long the safe side stays protected from heat. Pick a rating to see how each designation reads.
Fire rating (minutes)
UDCLASS 01
Integrity only
Uninsulated Fire Door
A fire door tested for integrity only, without requiring minimum insulation.
Designation exampleFD 120 UD
IS3614
Integrity120 min
Insulation< 30 min
0306090120
Interpretation
120 minutes integrity. No minimum insulation requirement, or insulation less than 30 minutes.
Best understood as
A door that is classified mainly for stopping flame and hot gases, not for full heat protection.
PICLASS 02
Min. 30 min insulation
Partially Insulated Fire Door
A fire door tested for both integrity and insulation, but with minimum insulation of 30 minutes.
Designation exampleFD 120 PI
IS3614
Integrity120 min
Insulation30 min
0306090120
Interpretation
120 minutes integrity. Minimum 30 minutes insulation.
Best understood as
A door where insulation is present, but only for the minimum required period, not for the full integrity duration.
IDCLASS 03
Full-duration heat protection
Fully Insulated Fire Door
A fire door tested for both integrity and insulation, where insulation rating is equal to the integrity rating.
Designation exampleFD 120 ID
IS3614
Integrity120 min
Insulation120 min
0306090120
Interpretation
120 minutes integrity. 120 minutes insulation.
Best understood as
A fire door designed to provide both flame resistance and heat protection for the full declared duration.
Insulation rails are drawn to scale against the selected integrity rating.
7As per amendment
Fire-door designations and insulation requirements.
The amendment revised the classification table to clearly show uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated fire-door designations across 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minute ratings.
| Fire Resistance | Uninsulated Fire Door | Partially Insulated Fire Door | Fully Insulated Fire Door |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 min | FD 30 UD | FD 30 PI | FD 30 ID |
| 60 min | FD 60 UD | FD 60 PI | FD 60 ID |
| 90 min | FD 90 UD | FD 90 PI | FD 90 ID |
| 120 min | FD 120 UD | FD 120 PI | FD 120 ID |
| 180 min | FD 180 UD | FD 180 PI | FD 180 ID |
PIFor PI classification, insulation is minimum 30 minutes.
IDFor ID classification, insulation rating is the same as the integrity rating.
8Amendment highlights
Important technical updates introduced through Amendment No. 1.
- Update 01
Clearer terminology
The amendment updates definitions and removes ambiguity from classification language.
- Update 02
Revised test reference
The test reference was updated from IS/ISO 3008-1 to IS 17518 Part 1 for fire resistance tests.
- Update 03
Classification based on insulation
Fire doors are now classified as uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated.
- Update 04
Test product category to be stated
Annex C was updated to state the tested product category as fully insulated, partially insulated or uninsulated fire door.
- Update 05
Size limits clarified
For hinged wooden fire doors, the maximum wall opening size shall not exceed 7.2 sq. m, with maximum permissible width of 2.4 m and height of 3.0 m. Doorsets shall be factory prepared for all hardware, and no work shall be carried out on doors at site.
- Update 06
Hardware and assembly responsibility
IS 3614:2021 treats hardware as part of the fire door assembly and emphasizes the manufacturer’s role in ensuring intended performance.
9Technical details
What specifiers should not miss.
Five points that decide whether the fire door installed on site still matches the fire door that was tested.
A fire door is only as good as the assembly that was tested. Changes made after testing can change its classification.
Fire resistance is assembly-based
The fire resistance of a door assembly is determined by subjecting a full-size construction to test as per the applicable test procedure. The specimen should represent the assembly used in practice, including materials, method of construction, size, number of leaves, operation mode, glazing and essential hardware.
Test certificates depend on design continuity
Additional tests may be required if there is a change in design, construction, infill material, size, vision glass, or if the time gap of testing exceeds five years.
Re-test window: 5 yearsVision pane limits matter
Vision panes should only be fitted under the control of the fire door manufacturer. Apertures should not be cut on-site.
No apertures cut on-siteLarger glass is not automatically allowed
For insulated doors, glass area is more restricted. The maximum glass for insulated doors shall not exceed 0.06 sq. m.
Insulated doors: glass ≤ 0.06 sq. mFactory preparation is important
For hinged wooden fire doors, doorsets shall be factory prepared for all hardware, and no work shall be carried out on doors at site.
No work on doors at site
Guidance by role
What the amendment means for you.
10For architects
Specify the fire door, not just the fire rating.
When preparing door schedules, it is no longer enough to mention only FD 60 or FD 120. The suffix matters. A specification should clearly state whether the door is UD, PI or ID, because each category communicates a different insulation expectation.
Recommended specification language
“Fire Rated Door: FD 120 ID as per IS 3614:2021 Amendment No. 1, with integrity and insulation for 120 minutes, complete with tested frame, hardware, seals and manufacturer-supported documentation.”
Door-schedule checklist
- Mention rating duration.
- Mention classification suffix: UD / PI / ID.
- Mention frame and shutter type.
- Mention tested hardware.
- Mention vision panel size, if any.
- Mention installation responsibility.
- Mention documentation and test evidence.
11For fire officers
Approve with better classification clarity.
The amendment helps fire officers review fire-door proposals with clearer terminology. Instead of relying on generic claims, the classification suffix directly shows whether the fire door is uninsulated, partially insulated or fully insulated.
Review points
- Check whether the door is marked as UD, PI or ID.
- Check whether the rating duration and insulation duration match the claimed classification.
- Check whether the tested assembly includes frame, shutter, hardware, seals and glazing.
- Check whether site cutting or alteration has been avoided.
- Check whether the supplied product matches test evidence.
12For builders & contractors
Procure what the specification actually requires.
If the BOQ says FD 120, the next question should be: FD 120 UD, FD 120 PI or FD 120 ID? These are not the same. Procurement teams must understand the difference before finalizing vendors, rates and technical approvals.
Practical reminderA low-cost fire door that does not match the required classification can create approval delays, rework, compliance risk and serious life-safety gaps.
Builder checklist
- Confirm exact classification.
- Confirm tested assembly details.
- Confirm installation scope.
- Confirm no site modification.
- Confirm documentation before dispatch.
- Confirm labels and test evidence.
13For residents
A safer building starts with better questions.
Residents do not need to become technical experts, but they can ask better questions. In a high-rise, hospital, hotel, school, mall or commercial building, fire doors are part of the life-safety system.
Questions residents can ask
- Are the installed fire doors tested?
- Are they as per IS 3614?
- Are they uninsulated, partially insulated or fully insulated?
- Are they properly installed?
- Are they being maintained?
- Are doors kept closed and unobstructed?
14Where it applies
Different buildings need different fire-door decisions.
Fire-door requirements vary depending on occupancy, risk level, evacuation strategy and authority requirements. The amendment gives clearer language to help stakeholders choose the right classification for the right application.
High-Rise Residential
Staircases, lift lobbies, refuge areas and service zones require serious attention to fire-door performance.
Commercial Buildings
Office towers, IT parks and business centres need properly classified doors to support compartmentation and safe evacuation.
Hotels & Hospitality
Guest safety, corridor protection and back-of-house compartmentation must be supported by correctly specified fire doors.
Hospitals & Healthcare
Hospitals require higher life-safety sensitivity because occupants may have limited mobility.
Industrial & Storage
Higher fire load areas demand careful selection of fire rating, door construction and installation details.
Public Infrastructure
Airports, metro stations, malls and public buildings require clear documentation and authority-ready compliance.
15Common misunderstandings
What the amendment helps clarify.
Misunderstanding
FD 120 means everything is protected for 120 minutes.
Clarified
Not always. FD 120 only tells you the fire rating duration. The suffix tells you whether it is UD, PI or ID.
Misunderstanding
Integrity and insulation are the same thing.
Clarified
No. Integrity is about preventing flame and hot gas passage. Insulation is about limiting temperature rise on the unexposed side.
Misunderstanding
A partially insulated door gives full insulation.
Clarified
No. PI means minimum insulation, typically 30 minutes, even if the integrity rating is higher.
Misunderstanding
Any site cutting or hardware change is acceptable.
Clarified
No. The tested assembly matters. For hinged wooden fire doors, doorsets should be factory prepared for all hardware and no work should be carried out on doors at site.
Misunderstanding
Uninsulated doors are the same as fully insulated doors if the fire rating is same.
Clarified
No. FD 120 UD and FD 120 ID are very different. FD 120 UD is based on integrity only, while FD 120 ID means both integrity and insulation for 120 minutes.
16Official documents
Access the Gazette and amendment documents.
Use the official documents to understand the notified amendment, classification table and technical changes in detail.
Gazette Notification
Bureau of Indian Standards notification
Published in The Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III — Section 4.
Download Gazette PDFAmendment No. 1 — July 2023
Amendment to IS 3614:2021
Includes revised classification for uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated fire doors.
Download Amendment PDFIS 3614:2021
Fire Doors and Doorsets — Specification
The Indian Standard covering fire door assemblies, testing, installation and maintenance.
View Standard
17Frequently asked questions
Common questions about IS 3614:2021 Amendment No. 1
Question not listed?
Our specification team answers project questions on door schedules, classifications and documentation.
+91 84200 50758IS 3614:2021 is the Indian Standard for Fire Doors and Doorsets — Specification. It covers requirements for fire door assemblies, including construction, testing, supply, installation and maintenance.
The amendment introduced clearer classification for fire doors as Uninsulated Fire Door, Partially Insulated Fire Door and Fully Insulated Fire Door, with suffixes UD, PI and ID.
FD 120 ID means the door has passed 120 minutes of integrity and minimum 120 minutes of insulation. Only then it is designated as FD 120 ID.
FD 120 PI means the door has passed 120 minutes of integrity and minimum 30 minutes of insulation.
FD 120 UD means the door has passed 120 minutes of integrity alone, with no insulation requirement or insulation less than 30 minutes.
Insulation helps limit temperature rise on the unexposed side of the door. This can reduce heat transfer and improve safety for people and property on the protected side.
For hinged wooden fire doors, the amended clause states that doorsets shall be factory prepared for all hardware and no work shall be carried out on doors at site.
Yes. The fire door assembly includes the door, frame, hardware and accessories that together provide the fire resistance rating.
Let’s design, build and live in a safer India.
Fire doors are not just products. They are life-safety systems. The July 2023 amendment to IS 3614:2021 gives India clearer language to distinguish between uninsulated, partially insulated and fully insulated fire doors.
When the right door is specified, tested, supplied and installed correctly, buildings become safer for occupants, responders, owners and communities.
- Specification support
- Compliance documentation
- Project-wise recommendations
- PAN India supply and installation
- ISI marked fire-rated door solutions
Tufwud Doors and Accessories Pvt Ltd · +91 84200 50754 · +91 84200 50758 · sales@tufwud.in