Dual-Certified PAS 24 & Fire-Rated Systems

As modern construction continues to evolve in response to real-world tragedies and rising security threats, building safety standards have shifted dramatically. Whether it’s from fire hazards or criminal intrusion, the need for fire and security systems that offer protection on multiple fronts has become non-negotiable.

Nowhere is this shift more evident than in the demand for dual-certified doors—solutions that meet both fire-resistant and security requirements. These doors do more than slow down a fire or deter intruders; they do both. For developers, architects, and building owners, adopting Dual Certification standards is no longer just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a proactive step toward total risk mitigation.

Understanding PAS 24 and Fire-Rated Systems

PAS 24 is the UK’s recognized testing standard for enhanced security doors. It simulates the methods burglars use to force entry, including mechanical attacks like prying, cutting, and lock manipulation. A PAS 24 certified door has undergone rigorous trials to ensure it can withstand these threats in real-world scenarios.

On the other hand, fire-rated doors are tested against fire and smoke. These tests determine how long a door can prevent the spread of flames and heat, with ratings like FD30 and FD60 indicating fire resistance ratings for 30 or 60 minutes. Understanding these fire resistance levels is key when specifying doors for different parts of a building, as they define how long a barrier can maintain its integrity under intense heat and flame exposure. These doors are typically tested under BS 476 Part 22 or EN 1634-1 standards.

What Makes a Door Dual-Certified?

A dual-certified door successfully passes both PAS 24 and fire resistance testing. But this is easier said than done.

To earn Dual Certification, the complete doorset—frame, leaf, hinges, locks, and seals—must be tested together. You can’t just combine a fire door leaf with high-security locks and assume it’s compliant. Certification bodies require each component to be tested as a complete system under both conditions: fire exposure and physical attack.

This results in a product that can prevent fire from spreading while also protecting against unauthorized entry—a crucial consideration for main entrances, communal areas, and escape routes.

Why Dual Certification Matters More Than Ever

When fire breaks out or an intruder targets a property, the door is often the first line of defense. In high-risk buildings—such as multi-occupancy apartments, care facilities, or social housing—a failure in that defense can be catastrophic.

Traditional fire doors are designed to resist heat, flames, and smoke, helping to contain the spread of fire and allowing safe evacuation. Meanwhile, security doors built to PAS 24 standards resist impact, force, and tampering. But in today’s built environment, one threat doesn’t eliminate the other. Both must be accounted for at once.

That’s why fire and security doors with dual certification are rapidly becoming the industry norm. Whether it’s a main entry, a communal hallway, or a protected stairwell, dual-certified systems provide peace of mind that safety hasn’t been compromised for convenience or aesthetics.

After high-profile failures like Grenfell, regulatory scrutiny has intensified. Guidance in documents like Approved Document B and Secured by Design increasingly promotes or mandates the use of certified fire doors that also meet security standards such as PAS 24. As a result, PAS 24 fire doors are being written into planning conditions and housing development specs across the UK.

The Technical Challenges of Achieving Dual Certification

Combining fire-resistant and security requirements in a single doorset isn’t a simple matter of stacking features. It’s a demanding engineering challenge.

Security-tested doors require reinforcements like multi-point locking systems, security hinges, and robust core materials that withstand forced entry. Fire-rated doors, on the other hand, rely on intumescent seals, specific glazing types, and core materials designed to resist heat for 30, 60, or more minutes without compromising structural integrity.

The difficulty lies in ensuring that one set of performance criteria doesn’t interfere with the other. For example:

• Will a steel-reinforced frame expand during a fire and compromise sealing?
• Will intumescent seals block access control functions?
• Will the inclusion of a vision panel weaken the door’s ability to withstand a crowbar attack?

Each element must be tested together to ensure they function as a unified system. One slight deviation—say, a different hinge model or letterplate design—can void the entire dual certification.

That’s why manufacturers developing fire and security doors must carefully coordinate hardware, materials, and finishes during the product design stage. This also means that buyers and specifiers must only source complete doorsets tested to the desired rating.

Specifying Dual-Certified Fire and Security Doors

For architects, developers, and property managers, choosing the right dual-certified product means more than just ticking boxes. It involves assessing use cases, regulatory obligations, and environmental pressures. Here’s what to look for:

Verified Certifications

Always confirm that the product is dual-certified by a UKAS-accredited lab for both fire performance (e.g., FD30, FD60) and PAS 24 burglary resistance. Ask for the actual test reports and scope of certification—some products may be certified for internal use only.

Tested as a Complete Doorset

A certified fire door or PAS 24 door is only compliant if the frame, leaf, seals, glazing, and hardware are all tested together. Swapping out a component—even something as minor as a door viewer or closer—can break certification compliance.

Visible Labels and Traceability

Each doorset should be marked with clear labeling, including its fire-rated duration, security rating, certification ID, and manufacturing date. This is especially important during fire door inspections, where traceability is critical.

Suitability for High-Traffic Zones

If the door will serve as a building entrance or hallway access point, ensure it has been tested for durability. Look for enhanced hinge systems, reinforced strike plates, and finishes suitable for heavy daily use.

Optional Features (That Don’t Break Certification)

Custom elements like letterplates, access control devices, and glazing panels must be tested with the door to maintain dual certification. If not, the door might lose its fire rating, security status—or both.

The Role of Ongoing Maintenance and Fire Door Inspection

Even the most rigorously tested dual-certified door can fail in an emergency if it’s not properly maintained. That’s why fire door inspections are essential—not just as a legal requirement, but as a vital part of ongoing building safety.

Regular inspections ensure that:

• Fire-resistant seals remain intact and undamaged
• Closers and hinges operate correctly
• The frame hasn’t shifted, warped, or been obstructed
• Locks, viewers, and letterplates haven’t been swapped with non-tested components
• Labels and fire-rated systems markings are still legible and traceable

A well-maintained door provides consistent protection against both fire and intrusion. Many insurance policies now require documented maintenance records for fire and security doors, especially in commercial or multi-residential buildings. The failure to conduct routine fire door inspection can invalidate both compliance and insurance coverage.

Industry Shifts: What the Future Holds for Fire and Security

The demand for dual-certified doors is increasing—not just because of regulations, but due to innovation, industry awareness, and public pressure for safer buildings.

Innovation in Materials

Manufacturers are leveraging composite materials that blend structural toughness with fire-resistant cores. These next-generation materials make it easier to design doors that excel in both strength and thermal performance.

Integrated Fire and Security Systems

The trend is moving toward unified fire and security systems, where access control, alarm integration, and emergency response functions all work together. Fire and security doors are a crucial part of this integration—functioning not only as physical barriers but as smart devices that respond in real time.

Sustainability Without Sacrifice

Eco-conscious design is no longer separate from safety. Today, many certified fire doors are made with FSC-certified timber or recyclable steel, offering fire-resistant performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Low-VOC adhesives, long-life hardware, and modular designs contribute to carbon reduction targets without compromising certification.

New Standards and Higher Expectations

Authorities like the National Fire Chiefs Council and Secured by Design are actively pushing for tighter enforcement around dual certification and product traceability. It’s likely that within a few years, PAS 24 fire doors with proven fire performance will be mandatory in all new social housing and public developments.

Conclusion: Why Dual Certification Is the New Standard

In the evolving landscape of modern building safety, Dual Certification isn’t just a competitive edge—it’s a necessity. Fire risk and security threats aren’t mutually exclusive, and treating them separately creates dangerous gaps in protection.

Dual-certified doors offer a clear solution. By meeting both fire-rated systems and PAS 24 standards, they:

• Deliver multi-risk protection for occupants and assets
• Comply with updated regulations and safety expectations
• Provide verified performance through independent testing
• Enhance building value, trust, and long-term resilience

Whether you’re planning a new housing estate, managing a care facility, or upgrading public infrastructure, investing in fire and security doors with Dual Certification is the smart, safe, and future-proof choice.

Because in construction, there’s no second chance when lives are on the line. And when safety and security are both essential, compromise isn’t an option.