EI30, EI60, and EI90 are fire resistance classifications that tell you how long a door will contain both flames and heat during a fire: 30, 60, or 90 minutes, respectively. The letters “E” and “I” describe two distinct performance criteria — integrity and insulation — that the door must meet simultaneously for the full duration. It is important to note that the insulation criterion exists in two variants: I1 (the stricter criterion, with a lower permitted temperature rise on the unexposed side) and I2 (the less strict criterion, permitting a higher temperature rise). Content referring to “EI” should always specify EI1 or EI2. Which class your project requires depends on the building type, compartment size, and the applicable national or European building regulation — and should be confirmed by a qualified fire safety engineer or the local authority.
For facilities managers, project managers, and specifiers working on industrial or commercial buildings, choosing the wrong fire resistance class is not a minor oversight. It can invalidate an insurance policy, fail a building inspection, or create legal liability after an incident. The sections below answer the most common questions about EI classifications, testing, documentation, and how to apply them correctly.
Which EI class do building regulations require for your project?
Building regulations in most European countries tie the required fire resistance class directly to the type of building, the function of the fire compartment, and the size of the opening. As a general orientation, EI1-30 or EI2-30 may apply to lower-risk separations within a single building function, EI2-60 or EI1-60 is common for separations between different uses or larger compartments, and EI1-90 or EI2-90 may be required where escape routes, high-risk areas, or large industrial compartments are involved. However, the precise requirement for any given project depends on a project-specific fire safety calculation — these general orientations are not substitutes for professional advice.
The applicable classification standard in Europe is EN 13501-2, which classifies fire doors based on fire resistance test results conducted per EN 1634-1. The actual requirement — which class is mandatory for a specific opening in a specific building — is set by national building regulations. In the Netherlands, this is the BBL (Besluit Bouwwerken Leefomgeving, formerly known as the Bouwbesluit), which sets the absolute minimum requirement. The Dutch standard baseline classification for industrial fire doors is EW60, though EI2-60 and other classifications are common and fully valid alternatives rather than exceptions. A heavier classification than the baseline may be required where a project deviates from standard building regulations, where sector-specific regulation such as PGS15 applies (for example in chemical storage), where a client sets a stricter above-statutory requirement, or where an insurer mandates a higher standard. Other European countries each have their own additional requirements on top of the European baseline. A door that is compliant in one country may not satisfy the local authority in another without additional certification.
For industrial applications such as production halls, logistics centres, and distribution warehouses, EI2-60 and EI2-90 (or their EI1 equivalents) are among the most commonly specified classes, particularly where large openings span fire compartment boundaries. Which classification is actually required for a specific distribution centre or warehouse depends on the compartmentalisation calculation for that building — it is not possible to state a single classification that applies to all such facilities. If you are unsure which class applies to your specific project, consult a qualified fire safety engineer or the local building authority before specifying a product. Working with a manufacturer that holds certification across multiple classes means you are not limited in your options once that requirement is confirmed. Metacon-Next’s fire-rated door range covers EI1 and EI2 classifications at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes across multiple product types, as well as EW classifications up to 240 minutes.
What do the numbers in EI1-30, EI2-60, and EI2-90 actually mean?
The number in a classification such as EI2-60 indicates the number of minutes the door must maintain its fire resistance performance under standardised test conditions. An EI2-60 fire door must perform for a minimum of 60 minutes. The classification does not mean the door fails at exactly that point — it means the door was tested and certified to meet the criteria for at least that duration.
The “E” stands for integrity: the door must not allow flames or hot gases to pass through gaps, joints, or cracks during the test period. The “I” stands for insulation: the temperature on the unexposed (cold) side of the door must not rise above a defined threshold, ensuring that the heat itself does not become a hazard to people or materials on the other side. There are two insulation sub-criteria: I1 applies a stricter limit on temperature rise, while I2 permits a higher temperature rise on the unexposed side. These are not interchangeable — always confirm which applies when reviewing a product classification.
Both the E and I criteria must be satisfied simultaneously. A door that maintains integrity but allows excessive heat transfer would be classified differently — as EW rather than EI. The EW criterion limits radiant heat transfer through the door and is the Dutch standard baseline classification for industrial fire doors, but it does not meet the temperature rise limits required for an EI classification. This distinction matters significantly in practice, which is covered in the next section. The combined EI1 or EI2 classification is what makes these doors suitable for fire compartmentation where people may be present on both sides of the opening.
How is fire resistance tested and certified for industrial doors?
Fire resistance testing for industrial doors is carried out in accordance with EN 1634-1, the European standard for fire and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies. During the test, a full-size door assembly is installed in a test furnace and exposed to a standardised fire curve. Measurements track integrity failure, temperature rise on the cold face, and structural behaviour throughout the test duration. Results are classified per EN 13501-2, which produces the EW, EI1, and EI2 classification codes together with the time rating.
Certification is issued by an accredited third-party testing laboratory. The test report documents the exact conditions under which the door achieved its classification: the construction, dimensions, materials, hardware, and installation configuration tested. This matters because a fire door is only certified for the specific configuration that was tested. Changing the frame type, the threshold detail, or the glazing without re-testing can invalidate the classification. Extended application rules under EN 15269 define how test results may be extrapolated to similar but untested configurations — these rules have limits, and any extrapolation should be confirmed with the manufacturer or a qualified fire safety engineer.
CE marking for fire-resistant industrial doors involves two standards simultaneously: EN 16034, which covers the fire and smoke resisting closing function, and EN 13241, which applies to industrial doors generally and is mandatory regardless of fire rating. Both apply at the same time and are not interchangeable. For industrial doors — roller shutters, sectional doors, sliding doors, and lifting doors — testing is more complex than for standard swing doors because the sealing mechanisms, guide systems, and operating components all form part of the tested assembly. Manufacturers who produce their own doors and conduct in-house testing before submission are better positioned to control the variables that affect test outcomes. Metacon-Next’s in-house R&D and production in Moordrecht ensures that what is tested is exactly what is delivered.
What is the difference between EI and EW fire door classifications?
EI and EW are two distinct fire door classification types defined under EN 13501-2. An EI-classified door (either EI1 or EI2) provides both integrity (E) and insulation (I), meaning it limits temperature rise on the unexposed side to a defined threshold — with EI1 applying the stricter limit and EI2 permitting a somewhat higher rise. An EW-classified door provides integrity and limits radiant heat transfer through the door, but does not meet the temperature rise limits required for an EI classification. EW is the Dutch standard baseline criterion for industrial fire doors and is a fully valid classification in its own right — it is not a lesser or non-compliant option, but it addresses a different performance requirement than EI.
In practical terms, an EW door may be acceptable in locations where the primary concern is preventing flame spread and limiting radiant heat, and where the full insulation criterion is not mandated by the applicable fire safety calculation. An EI1 or EI2 door is required wherever the insulation criterion is specified — which includes many fire compartment boundaries in occupied buildings. Whether EW or EI (and which EI sub-criterion) is required for a specific application depends on the project’s fire safety calculation, not on a general rule. Consult a qualified fire safety engineer or Metacon-Next directly for guidance on your specific situation.
Never use EW and EI interchangeably in a specification. They are not equivalent, and substituting one for the other will not satisfy a building regulation that specifies EI. Equally, do not substitute EI2 where EI1 is specified — the two sub-criteria are distinct. When reviewing product documentation, confirm the exact classification code stated in the test certificate rather than relying on general marketing descriptions such as “fire-rated” or “fire-resistant.”
Can a higher EI class always replace a lower one?
In most cases, a door with a higher EI classification can replace one with a lower classification for the same sub-criterion, because it meets all the same criteria for a longer duration. For example, an EI2-90 door satisfies an EI2-60 requirement, and an EI1-60 door satisfies an EI1-30 requirement. However, there are practical and regulatory considerations that mean this is not always straightforward — and substituting across sub-criteria (for example, using an EI2 product where EI1 is specified) requires separate verification.
First, some building regulations specify a maximum as well as a minimum fire resistance class for certain applications. This is rare but worth verifying with the local authority. Second, a higher-class door is typically heavier, larger in cross-section, and more complex in its sealing system. This can affect the structural requirements for the surrounding wall construction, the floor loading, and the available installation space. A door specified as EI1-90 where only EI2-60 is required may create installation complications that were not anticipated at the design stage.
Third, the certification scope matters. A door certified as EI2-90 is only certified in the exact configuration tested. If the EI2-90 product has not been tested in the same opening dimensions or wall construction as the EI2-60 product it is replacing, the higher classification does not automatically apply to that configuration. Always verify the scope of the test certificate before substituting products.
What documentation should a certified fire door come with?
A certified fire door should come with a complete set of technical and compliance documentation that allows an installer, building inspector, or insurer to verify independently that the product meets the specified requirement. The minimum documentation set includes the CE Declaration of Performance, the classification report referencing the EN 13501-2 classification (stating the exact EW, EI1, or EI2 code and time rating), the test report to EN 1634-1, and installation instructions that define the conditions under which the classification remains valid. For industrial fire doors, documentation should also reference both applicable CE marking standards: EN 16034 (fire and smoke resisting closing function) and EN 13241 (industrial door, general).
For projects subject to sustainability assessment frameworks such as BREEAM or LEED, an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is increasingly required in addition to fire performance documentation. An EPD quantifies the environmental impact of the product across its lifecycle and is issued by an independent body against an applicable Product Category Rule. Metacon-Next published EPDs for eleven of its main product lines in 2025, covering products including the RGT, RGS, RGC, OHD-C, and LD Pro ranges.
A practical way to assess a manufacturer’s documentation standards is to ask for the full certificate set before placing an order. Manufacturers who produce their own products and have invested in independent certification have no reason to withhold this information. Metacon-Next publishes all certificates, classification reports, and EPDs openly — a level of transparency that is not standard across the industry but that removes uncertainty for specifiers and project managers at the point of specification. If you are working on a project that requires full documentation from day one, you can request a quotation directly or contact the team to confirm which documentation is available for the product and classification you need.
Specifying a fire-rated industrial door correctly means more than selecting the right EI class. It means confirming whether EI1 or EI2 applies, verifying the certification scope, confirming the documentation package, and working with a manufacturer whose products are tested in the configurations your project actually requires. Getting those details right at the specification stage — with input from a qualified fire safety engineer where the regulatory requirement is not straightforward — is what prevents problems at inspection.
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