Should fire-rated paint be used on fire doors?

Fire-rated apartment doors do not generally require a special fire-rated or fireproof paint when they are being repainted. The fire rating is normally provided by the construction and certification of the complete doorset, including the door leaf, frame, hardware, seals and installation, not by the decorative paint finish.

Painting over the existing paint would not, by itself, make the door non-compliant. However, the painting work should not:

• cover or obscure the fire-door identification tag;
• coat or interfere with any smoke or intumescent seals;
• obstruct hinges, locks, latches or the door closer;
• create excessive paint build-up around the edges of the door; or
• prevent the door from closing and latching properly.

Any specific painting or finishing requirements provided by the door manufacturer should also be followed. If the door is closing and latching correctly and the seals, hardware, identification tag and required clearances have not been affected, the use of ordinary decorative paint would not normally be a compliance concern.

If there is any doubt, the door should be inspected by a suitably qualified fire-door technician as part of the building's routine fire-door inspection.