Steel Doors & Frames:
Codes & Standards
Steel doors and frames are affected by a wide range of building codes, fire and life safety requirements, accessibility standards, product standards and performance criteria. Understanding which requirements apply, and how they relate to steel door and frame construction, is an important part of designing and specifying compliant openings.
The Steel Door Institute provides standards, technical documents and educational resources to help architects, specifiers, distributors and other construction professionals navigate the requirements that apply to steel doors and frames.
Use this guide to understand the major codes and standards for steel doors, find SDI and ANSI standards specific to steel door and frame construction, and identify requirements related to fire protection, accessibility, windstorm, security, acoustics, energy efficiency and other performance considerations.
Important: Codes and standards must be adopted by the applicable state or local jurisdiction to become enforceable. They may vary by project type and application as well. Jurisdictions may also modify model codes or standards, so project teams should always verify the requirements adopted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Understanding Codes and Standards for Steel Doors
The terms code, standard, test standard and listing are sometimes used interchangeably, but they serve different purposes.
Building Codes
Building codes establish minimum requirements for the design and construction of buildings. They address areas such as structural safety, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility and occupant safety. The International Building Code (IBC) and other model codes are adopted by jurisdictions throughout the United States, often with state or local modifications.
Referenced Standards
Building and fire codes frequently reference other standards for specific products, materials, tests or installation requirements. For example, fire door requirements in building and fire codes may reference NFPA 80 for the installation and maintenance of fire door assemblies.
Product Standards
Product standards establish requirements for the construction, materials, performance or installation of specific products. SDI and ANSI/SDI standards provide requirements and guidance specifically related to steel doors and frames.
Test Standards
Test standards establish procedures used to evaluate the performance of products or assemblies. Depending on the application, steel doors and frames may be tested for characteristics such as fire resistance, physical endurance, air leakage, windstorm resistance or other performance requirements.
Listings and Labels
A listing or label identifies an assembly that has been evaluated in accordance with applicable testing requirements. For rated openings, the complete door and frame assembly must meet the requirements applicable to the specific application.
ANSI & SDI Standards for Steel Doors & Frames
SDI develops industry standards and technical documents specifically for steel doors and frames. These resources address product specifications, selection, testing, fire protection, installation and other aspects of steel door and frame performance.
Key SDI standards include:
- ANSI/SDI A250.8 (SDI-100) – Specifications for Standard Steel Doors and Frames
- SDI 108 – Recommended Selection & Usage Guide for Standard Steel Doors
- SDI 118 – Basic Fire Door, Fire Door Frame, Transom/Sidelight Frame, and Window Frame Requirements
- ANSI/SDI A250.4 – Test Procedure & Acceptance Criteria for Physical Endurance
- ANSI/SDI A250.11 – Recommended Erection Instructions for Steel Frames
- ANSI/SDI A250.13 – Testing and Rating of Severe Windstorm Resistant Components for Swinging Door Assemblies
- SDI 113 – Thermal Transmittance of Steel Door and Frame Assemblies
- SDI 128 – Guidelines for Acoustical Performance of Standard Steel Doors and Frames
- SDI 133 – Guideline for Specifying Steel Doors & Frames for Blast Resistance
- SDI 136 – Guideline for Specifying Windstorm Products
Download the complete ANSI/SDI Standards Library →
Steel Door Codes & Standards by Application
The codes and standards that apply to a steel door or frame depend on the building, occupancy, location and the performance requirements of the opening.
Fire & Life Safety
Fire-rated steel doors and frames are an important component of fire-resistance and life safety strategies. Commonly referenced requirements include the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 1, NFPA 80, NFPA 101, NFPA 105, NFPA 252, UL 10B and UL 10C, as applicable to the project. SDI 118 also provides basic requirements for fire doors, fire door frames, transom/sidelight frames and window frames.
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Accessibility
Accessibility requirements affect the design and operation of doors throughout many building types. Commonly referenced requirements include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design and ICC/ANSI A117.1, along with applicable provisions of the adopted building code. Requirements may address clear opening width, maneuvering clearances, opening force, hardware, thresholds and other characteristics of accessible doors.
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Windstorm, Hurricane & Tornado
Doors and frames in areas subject to hurricanes, tornadoes or other severe wind events may require specific design and testing criteria. Relevant documents may include the IBC, ICC 500, FEMA P-320, FEMA P-361, ANSI A250.13 and SDI 136, depending on the application. Hurricane-resistant openings and tornado resistant or storm-shelter openings have different requirements, so the applicable criteria should be determined based on the building location and intended use.
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Security & Forced Entry
Security requirements vary based on the building, threat level and intended use of the opening. Applicable criteria may include UFC 4-010-01 for applicable Department of Defense projects, ASTM F3561 for forced-entry resistance of fenestration systems, and ASTM F1233 for security glazing and systems where applicable. Project-specific security requirements may also address ballistic resistance, blast resistance, access control and other specialized performance criteria. The complete door assembly should be evaluated against the required level of protection.
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Blast Resistance
Blast-resistant openings require specialized design criteria and testing beyond standard steel door construction. Applicable requirements may include UFC 4-010-01, PIP STC01018 and SDI 133, depending on the project and required level of protection. Blast-resistant doors and frames should be specified based on project-specific performance requirements and applicable testing criteria.
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Acoustical Performance
Acoustical requirements may be important in healthcare, education, commercial and other applications where sound control is a design consideration. SDI 128 provides guidance for the acoustical performance of standard steel doors and frames. The performance of the complete opening should be considered along with the surrounding wall construction and other components of the building assembly.
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Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
Energy codes and green building programs may affect the design and performance of building openings. Relevant requirements and programs include ASHRAE 90.1, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and LEED. SDI 113 provides guidance for determining the steady-state thermal transmittance of steel door/frame assemblies.
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Key Codes & Standards Affecting Steel Doors
The following documents are commonly referenced in the design, specification, installation or performance of steel doors and frames.
|
Organization
|
Code / Standard
|
Summary
|
Application
|
|---|---|---|---|
| American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers |
ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings |
A benchmark for commercial building energy codes. | Energy Efficiency |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency |
FEMA P-320 Taking Shelter From The Storm |
Offers best practices on the design and construction of residential safe rooms. FEMA does not regulate construction. | Safe Room / Windstorm |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency |
FEMA P-361 Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes |
Offers best practices on the design and construction of community safe rooms. | Safe Room / Windstorm |
| International Code Council |
IBC International Building Code |
Provides structural, fire, and life safety provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories. The IBC is used as the base code for many states, often with state modifications which must be referenced in addition to the IBC. |
Building / Fire Code |
| International Code Council |
ICC 500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters |
The standard for the design and construction of storm shelters. ICC 500 is referenced by the IBC for requirements specific to storm shelters required in certain occupancy types. | Safe Room / Windstorm |
| International Code Council |
IECC International Energy Conservation Code |
Addresses the design of energy-efficient building envelopes through requirements emphasizing performance. | Energy Efficiency |
| International Code Council |
IFC International Fire Code |
Provides provisions for protection for public health, safety and welfare from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in buildings, structures and premises. | Building / Fire Code |
|
ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
Contains technical criteria to allow people with physical disabilities to independently get to, enter, and use a site, facility, building, or element. A117.1 is the accessibility standard referenced by the IBC, IFC, and NFPA 101. | Accessibility | |
| International Code Council |
IgCC International Green Construction Code |
Contains sustainability measures for the entire construction project and its site. Its purpose is to make buildings more efficient and reduce waste. | Sustainability |
| National Fire Protection Association |
NFPA 1 Fire Code |
Addresses fire and life safety as well as property protection. | Building / Fire Code |
| National Fire Protection Association |
NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives |
Regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors, and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into, or out of buildings. NFPA 80 is referenced by all of the model codes for requirements specific to fire door assemblies. | Building / Fire Code |
| National Fire Protection Association |
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code |
Provides strategies to protect building occupants in new and existing buildings, addressing building construction, protection, and occupancy features that minimize the effects of fire and related hazards. | Building / Fire Code |
| National Fire Protection Association |
NFPA 105 Standard for the Installation of Smoke Doors and Other Opening Protectives |
Addresses the installation, maintenance, and testing of smoke door assemblies and smoke dampers that are used to restrict the movement of smoke through openings. Model codes refer to NFPA 105 for requirements specific to smoke door assemblies. | Building / Fire Code |
| National Fire Protection Association |
NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code |
Provides requirements for those construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare and minimize injuries. | Building / Fire Code |
| Process Industry Practices |
PIP STC01018 Blast Resistant Building Design Criteria |
Generally used for petrochemical and offshore facilities. | Blast |
| US Department of Defense |
UFC 4-010-01 Unified Facilities Criteria |
Primary specification required for all Department of Defense related construction. | Blast |
| US Department of Justice |
Americans With Disabilities Act ADA Standards for Accessible Design |
Accessible design standards for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for people with disabilities. | Accessibility |
| US Department of Housing & Urban Development |
Fair Housing Act Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines |
Provides accessibility requirements for design and construction for multi-family housing to protect people from discrimination. | Accessibility |
| US Green Building Council |
LEED Green Building Certification Standards |
Provides a framework for building a holistic green building. The number of LEED points a project earns determines which of the four levels of certification it earns. | Sustainability |
Note: This table is a selected reference, not a complete list of every code or standard that may apply to a project. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, occupancy, location and application.
How to Specify Steel Doors Using Codes & Standards
1. Identify the Applicable Building Codes
Determine which building, fire, accessibility and energy codes have been adopted by the project jurisdiction. Check for state and local amendments that may modify the model code requirements.
2. Identify the Opening’s Function
Determine how the opening will be used and what conditions it will encounter. Consider factors such as occupancy, location, means of egress, fire protection, accessibility, security, acoustics and environmental exposure.
3. Determine Required Performance
Identify the required rating or performance level before selecting the door and frame. A fire-rated opening, for example, has different requirements from an exterior opening subject to severe windstorm conditions or a security opening.
4. Select the Appropriate Steel Door & Frame
Use applicable SDI standards and project requirements to select the appropriate door level, construction, frame type, hardware preparation and other characteristics. ANSI/SDI A250.8 provides a foundation for specifying standard steel doors and frames.
5. Coordinate the Complete Opening
The door should be coordinated with the frame, hardware, glazing, louvers, anchors, accessories and surrounding wall construction. Performance requirements apply to the complete opening assembly, not simply the door itself.
6. Reference the Applicable Standards
Include the applicable SDI, ANSI, NFPA, UL, ASTM and other standards in the project specification. Avoid relying only on generic descriptions such as “heavy-duty” or “fire-rated” when specific performance requirements can be identified.
7. Verify Jurisdictional Requirements
Confirm applicable requirements with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), particularly when a model code has been modified or supplemented by state or local requirements. Project-specific code compliance should be verified by the appropriate design and construction professionals.
Steel Door Codes & Standards Resources
SDI provides standards, technical documents and specification resources to help architects and specifiers select and specify steel doors and frames.