School Fire Rated Windows and Doors
Aluminum Fire Systems are manufacturers of school fire rated windows and doors. As manufacturers, we are in control of the quality and build of your fire systems which means we can meet your exact requirements for your school and ensure that they adhere to strict UK safety standards.
We manufacture fire windows and doors for schools using the industry leading MB-78EI system and our hands-on manufacturing approach means that your products are engineered with precision. Our products are produced efficiently and we are able to meet hard deadlines, which we understand is key when projects work around the school holidays.
Fire Rated Glass for Schools
While glass is essential for creating bright and open learning environments, standard glazing is unable to withstand the intense heat generated by a fire. To ensure compliance with building regulations (such as Approved Document B) and to protect escape routes, schools must use fire-rated safety glass in specific high-risk areas. These typically include stairwells, corridors and internal partitions, where the glass serves as a critical barrier against the spread of smoke and flames.
Fire Rated Windows and System Compliance
It is vital to understand that fire resistance relies on a ‘system approach’. This means that the glass cannot be treated as a standalone product; the glass, the frame and the specific fixings must all be tested together as a single unit. Installing fire-rated glass into a standard, non-compliant frame will result in failure during an emergency.
Fire Rated Glass
Fire Safety Glass Classifications
EI30 (The Essential Standard)
Provides 30 minutes of integrity and insulation. This is typically the minimum requirement for standard classroom doors and partitions to allow for safe, rapid evacuation.EI60 (The Commercial Standard)
Doubles the protection to 60 minutes. In schools, EI60 is often mandatory for high-risk areas like boiler rooms, kitchens, or shared stairwells in multi-storey buildings where evacuation takes longer.Expert Note on Radiant Heat:
In a narrow school corridor, a door that only meets ‘E’ (Integrity) standards can allow the air on the ‘safe’ side to reach over 180°C via radiant heat. This is why AFS prioritises EI (Insulation) ratings, ensuring the corridor remains cool enough for children to evacuate safely. View our article on types of fire safety glass: E vs EI| FEATURE | SPECIFICATION | SCHOOL BENEFIT |
|---|---|---|
| Integrity & Insulation | Class EI (30 to 60 mins) | Stops heat transfer, allowing pupils to pass safely through narrow corridors during an evacuation. |
| System Rating | FD30 / FD60 Equivalent | Meets UK Building Regs (Approved Doc B). |
| Safety Standard | BS EN 12150 / 12600 | High impact resistance for busy corridors. |
| Security | PAS 24 (Available) | Protects against unauthorised entry. |
External vs Internal: What You Need to Know
When looking for school external fire doors, the paperwork changes slightly. For these external units, we provide the necessary UKCA documentation to ensure they meet the legal requirements for British construction standards.
It is also vital to note that for safety and integrity reasons, we do not offer opening fire rated windows. All of our fire rated aluminium windows are fixed units. This eliminates the risk of a window being left ajar, which would completely compromise the fire compartmentation of the building.
In line with the ‘Golden Thread’ of information required by modern UK safety legislation, every unit we supply comes with full traceability. This ensures that school governors and local authorities have a clear digital or physical paper trail proving the fire integrity of the building from day one.
The Laws on Fire Doors and Windows for Schools
The Regulatory Landscape for Schools
Navigating school fire safety requires adhering to two main frameworks:
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: This legislation places a legal duty on schools to protect pupils, staff and visitors. To fulfill this obligation, schools must ensure that all fire doors are not only installed correctly but are also subject to regular maintenance checks. To assist schools in meeting these duties, we manufacture our systems to facilitate the inspection standards set out in BS 8214, the UK code of practice for fire door maintenance.
- Regulation 7 (Building Regulations): This requires all materials used in school construction to be “adequate and proper.” Our use of third-party certified MB-78EI systems ensures your project meets this statutory requirement for durability and safety.
- Building Bulletin 100 (BB100): The primary design framework for UK schools. While non-statutory, it is the benchmark for “best practice” in early detection and fire containment.
Key BB100 highlights include:
- Detection: L3 for mainstream; L2/P2 for SEN schools.
- Suppression: Mandatory sprinklers for all new builds and high-rise schools.
- Fixed Units: Our commitment to fixed fire-rated windows aligns with BB100 goals by ensuring fire compartmentation is never compromised.
View Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: fire door guidance (accessible)*
View Gov.uk information about fire doors for schools*
* This article was last updated in Feb 2026, please do your own research for up-to-date information and laws surrounding fire rated windows and doors for schools.
School Fire Rated Windows and Doors Company
Why Choose Aluminium Fire Systems for Your School Fire Rated Windows and Doors?
- Direct from the Manufacturer: By cutting out the middleman, our school fire rated doors and windows costs are competitive and don’t compromise on quality.
- UK-Based Production: Everything is manufactured right here in the UK. We know exactly what goes into every frame.
- Compliance Made Simple: You receive our full compliance pack delivered alongside the finished goods, giving you that peace of mind that you have the right product for the specific area of the school.
- Speed and Reliability: Schools often work on tight holiday schedules. Our project management is designed to meet those “back-to-school” deadlines with nationwide delivery.
- Reliable Components: We use Alimet for our window cill pressings, ensuring the finishing touches are as durable as the fire-rated core.
Aluminium Fire Systems: Fire Rated Windows and Doors Company
Accreditations and Safety Standards
We guarantee that every product we design, manufacture and supply meets strict industry certifications.
- Aluprof: Premium systems ensuring the highest industry standards.
- Certifire: Recognised by this independent third-party certification scheme.
- Pyroguard: Specialist glass meeting rigorous international safety regulations.
- Fire Aware: Dedicated to upholding high moral standards and end-user safety.
- UKCA: Full compliance with UK health and safety regulations.
FAQs
School Fire Rated Windows and Doors FAQs
Why should I choose EI60 over EI30 for my school?
The choice is usually determined by your building’s fire strategy and “travel distance” to the nearest exit. EI60 is often required in “protected shafts” (stairwells) or areas with a higher fire load (like labs or kitchens) to ensure the structure remains a safe haven for at least an hour while emergency services arrive.
Are EI30/EI60 the same as FD30/FD60?
While “FD” (Fire Door) ratings are common in the UK, they often only guarantee Integrity (E). At AFS, we manufacture to the EI standard, which includes Insulation. This means our school fire doors don’t just stop the fire; they stop the heat. This is crucial in narrow school corridors where radiant heat could otherwise prevent pupils from passing safely, even if the door is still standing.
Does every door in a school need to be a fire door?
No, not every door in a school needs to be a fire door, but they are mandatory wherever a ‘fire compartment’ wall is breached. Under Approved Document B, fire doors act as essential shutters in these walls. By protecting ‘protected shafts’ (stairwells) and high-risk rooms, they ensure a fire is contained to its room of origin, giving emergency services time to act.
How much do school fire rated doors and windows cost?
Because every school project has unique requirements—ranging from specific travel distances (EI30 vs EI60) to specialist ironmongery (like anti-finger-trap hinges), we provide bespoke quotes rather than a fixed price list.
The total cost is typically influenced by:
- The Rating: EI60 (60-minute insulation) is a higher specification and cost than EI30.
- Hardware: Integration with school fire alarms or access control systems.
- (do we need to add that this integration is the responsibility of the installer?)
- Volume: We offer competitive rates for full-school refurbishments compared to single-unit replacements.
How long are the lead times for rated windows and doors for schools?
We pride ourselves on fast lead times, though this can vary based on the complexity of the 60 minute fire rated windows or 30 minute fire rated windows ordered.
Do you offer installation of fire rated windows and doors for schools?
We are specialists in manufacture and supply. While we don’t install, our products are designed for straightforward fitting, and we provide all necessary technical data to your chosen installer.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
We are proud of the feedback we receive from our trade clients across the West Midlands region.
“From 1st point of contact through to the end, very responsive, could answer every question we had, answered any query straight away, always helpful and on time with delivery. Concluding with a fixing pack in a box with everything to make fitting quick and easy. Spot on.” – Richard Fairclough, GoldSeal
“Fantastic service, great products, great communication, always on time.” – Stuart Bidwell, Ridstock Home Improvements
NEED FIRE RATED DOORS + WINDOWS FOR YOUR SCHOOL?
Get in touch
We provide school fire rated windows and doors to schools across the UK. For help or to place your order please contact us today by phone on (+44) 121 277 4870, or send us a message via the form on our contact page to discuss your requirements.