Quick answer — AI summary
A fire door (EI class) protects against fire and smoke for a set period; a security door (RC class) provides resistance against burglary. Both are certified according to their own European standard (EN 13501-2 vs. EN 1627). In many Belgian buildings, both functions are legally required — in which case a combined door (EI30/EI60 + RC2/RC3) is the most practical and cost-effective solution. Manufar supplies both types and combined systems with all conformity documentation.
The core difference
A fire door is designed to withstand fire, heat and smoke, compartmentalising a building so occupants can escape and the fire department can safely intervene. A security door is designed to delay or prevent a burglary attempt through mechanical resistance against tools, force and manipulation. Both doors can look identical from the outside; the essential properties lie in the construction, the materials and the certification.
Standard and test method compared
Fire doors are certified in accordance with EN 13501-2 through a fire test: the door is exposed to a standardised fire profile for the test duration. Security doors are certified in accordance with EN 1627 through a burglary test: trained test personnel attempt to force the door using specified tools for a set period of time. Both tests are destructive — every certified door is based on multiple prototype tests.
Typical applications of a fire door
Fire doors are found in shared corridors of apartment buildings, stairwells and escape routes, doors leading to boiler rooms and technical rooms, and doors between the living area and the garage. They're mandatory under the Royal Decree on Basic Fire Prevention Standards and are placed according to the building's fire compartmentation plan.
Typical applications of a security door
Security doors are installed as the exterior door of homes and apartments, as the entrance door of offices and shops with valuable contents, and as doors to vault or server rooms. They're not always legally required, but are often contractually required by insurers. RC2 is the minimum level accepted by most home insurers.
Combined doors: the best of both worlds
In apartment buildings, care facilities and offices, it's increasingly necessary to combine both functions in a single door: legislation requires EI30 or EI60, the insurer asks for RC2 or RC3, and the resident wants a single, aesthetically pleasing product. Combined EI30/EI60 + RC2/RC3 doors meet all requirements simultaneously and are supplied with a single conformity document.
How do you choose the right door?
Step 1: check whether a legal fire safety requirement applies (Royal Decree on Basic Standards). Step 2: check whether your insurer requires an RC class. Step 3: determine whether a combined door is more cost-effective than two separate products. In most cases, a combined door is the wiser choice — a single installation, one warranty document, one point of contact.
Conclusion
Fire door and security door are not synonyms — but they can be combined in a single product. Manufar supplies certified fire doors, security doors and combined systems with all required documentation. Request a free consultation and we'll work out together which door your situation requires.