NFPA 80 Fire Door Requirements in Alberta
Does NFPA 80 apply in Alberta? Yes. Alberta Municipal Affairs says fire doors must comply with it, and the province's fire code cites the 2013 edition. Here is what that means for your building's fire doors.
Call our Calgary team403-650-5232Two Alberta codes, both in force since May 1, 2024
Fire doors fall under two provincial codes. The National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition decides what rating a door in a fire separation needs and how it gets installed. The National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition decides what the owner must do to keep it working once the building is occupied.
Both took effect on May 1, 2024, replacing the 2019 editions in force since December 1, 2019. NFPA 80 supplies the detail for both. At the frame, the gap limit is 1/8 inch, plus or minus 1/16 inch, at the head, jambs and meeting stiles. For the item-by-item list, use our NFPA 80 fire door inspection checklist.
A 2-hour wall does not need a 2-hour door
Alberta Municipal Affairs publishes the minimum door rating for each wall rating. A fire door's rating is usually lower than the wall's.
| Wall (fire separation) rating | Minimum door rating |
|---|---|
| 45 min | 45 min |
| 1 h | 45 min |
| 1.5 h | 1 h |
| 2 h | 1.5 h |
| 3 h | 2 h |
| 4 h | 3 h |
Three changes in NFPA 80-2025
Alberta still cites the 2013 edition, but the 2025 edition shows where the standard is heading.
A chapter for horizontal fire doors
The 2025 edition adds a new chapter, Chapter 17, covering horizontal fire doors.
NFPA 80 second revision reportTrained technicians for rolling steel
Some inspection and testing of rolling steel fire doors now needs a trained technician, added by TIA 25-1, effective December 24, 2024.
NFPA TIA 80-25-1New rules for door signs
Signs can be polymeric up to 0.2 mm thick. Screws are allowed only on hollow metal and 20-minute wood doors, 0.5 inch maximum.
idighardware.com, NFPA 80-2025 signageAAADM certification is not a fire door credential
These get mixed up often. AAADM, the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers, certifies inspectors for automatic doors under ANSI/BHMA A156.10, A156.19 and A156.27. Fire door assemblies fall under NFPA 80, which is a separate standard.
Many buildings have both kinds of door, and some openings are both at once. Limitless technicians are AAADM-certified and trained in NFPA 80 fire door inspection standards, so both can be covered in one visit: fire door inspections in Calgary or in Edmonton. We stock hollow metal fire doors in 20-, 45-, 90- and 180-minute ratings.
Door-by-door NFPA 80 inspection with photos, and repairs from the same company.
Which edition of NFPA 80 does Alberta use?
The 2013 edition. It is the one referenced under the 2023 Alberta Edition of the National Fire Code, which took effect on May 1, 2024. NFPA published a 2025 edition, but Alberta has not adopted it, so inspections and repairs in the province are measured against the 2013 text.
Can I hold a fire door open with a wedge or a kick-down stop?
No. Alberta's fire code says closures in fire separations must not be obstructed, blocked, wedged open or altered in any way that stops them working. If a door has to stay open during the day, use a hold-open device that releases the door automatically when the fire alarm activates.
Can I add a window or new hardware to an existing fire door?
Only within what the door's label allows. A field modification that voids the label is an inspection failure. Under NFPA 80-2025, field labeling is reserved for certified or listed people and companies, or labeling service representatives. Our custom fabrication work checks the rating on every modification.
Does a 20-minute door count as a fire door?
Yes. Twenty minutes is a recognized fire-protection rating on Canadian door labels, alongside 3/4 hour, 1 hour, 1-1/2 hours and 3 hours. Where a 20-minute door is allowed depends on the fire separation it sits in, so confirm it with your design professional before ordering.