Tagging Requirements for Fire-Resistant Doors and Frames under AS 1905.1-1990

1. Executive Summary

This report provides a detailed examination of the tagging requirements for fire doors and their associated frames, specifically referencing Australian Standard AS 1905.1-1990, "Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls - Fire-resistant doorsets." Although AS 1905.1-1990 has been superseded by later versions, its provisions remain critical for installations originally approved under its jurisdiction. The report delineates the precise information, physical characteristics, and placement mandated for compliance tags on both door leaves and frames. Essential data required on these tags includes the relevant standard reference, the Fire Resistance Level (FRL), manufacturer details, applicant and certifier information, a unique door identifier, and the year of manufacture. Furthermore, the physical tags themselves must adhere to strict specifications regarding size, character dimensions, and method of affixing. Adherence to these standards is paramount, as untagged or non-compliant fire doors present significant safety hazards and can necessitate expensive remedial actions, including extensive testing or complete replacement of the doorset.

2. Introduction to AS 1905.1-1990: Fire-Resistant Doorsets

Purpose and Scope of the Standard

Australian Standard AS 1905.1-1990 outlines the comprehensive requirements for the construction and installation of fire-resistant doorsets. These doorsets are specifically designed to protect openings within walls and partitions that are mandated to resist the passage of fire, thereby playing a crucial role in compartmentalizing fire and smoke within a building. The scope of this standard encompasses the entire "fire-resistant doorset," which is defined holistically to include not only the door leaf itself but also the door frame and all associated hardware. This hardware comprises critical components such as closers, handles, locks, vision panels, and air grills. The collective performance of all these elements is essential, as they combine to achieve the overall specified Fire Resistance Level (FRL) for the opening. The standard also incorporates a non-integral appendix that details a series of tests to measure the physical capacity of the door, ensuring its performance under fire conditions.   

Historical Context: Publication, Supersession, and Revisions

AS 1905.1-1990 represents the fourth edition in a lineage of Australian fire door standards, tracing its origins back to AS CA57, Part 1—1972. This particular iteration was published on January 1, 1990, and officially released on March 12, 1990, succeeding its predecessor, AS 1905.1-1984. The evolution of these standards reflects an ongoing commitment to enhancing fire safety.   

Significantly, AS 1905.1-1990 has since been superseded. It was jointly revised, amalgamated with NZS 4232.1:1988 (a New Zealand standard), and subsequently designated as AS/NZS 1905.1:1997. The standard continued to evolve, with further revisions leading to AS 1905.1-2005 and the most current version, AS 1905.1:2015. This progression underscores a continuous effort to refine requirements and incorporate advancements in fire protection technology and understanding.   

Relevance of AS 1905.1-1990 for Existing Installations

Despite its superseded status, AS 1905.1-1990 retains considerable relevance, particularly for buildings whose construction or fire safety installations were originally approved under its provisions. Regulatory frameworks often stipulate that building fire safety installations, including fire doors, must be maintained to a standard no less than that which they were initially required to achieve. This means that for older buildings, compliance often necessitates an understanding of the historical standard under which they were originally certified.   

A crucial aspect of compliance for older installations is how detailed requirements, such as tagging specifications, are interpreted and applied over time. While a building's original approval might be tied to AS 1905.1-1990, the practical application of ongoing compliance and maintenance, especially for elements like tagging, frequently defers to the requirements of its superseding versions, such as AS/NZS 1905.1. This approach is common in regulatory environments because newer standards often clarify or consolidate requirements from older, less detailed documents. This ensures alignment with contemporary best practices and provides clearer definitions for maintenance and verification. Therefore, for professionals managing older installations, consulting the current or immediately superseding standard for comprehensive and accepted interpretations of requirements, such as those for tagging, can prevent misinterpretation of potentially vague older clauses and ensure alignment with modern maintenance protocols.   

3. Mandatory Tagging Requirements for Fire Doors and Frames

General Requirement for Tagging

The tagging of fire doors is a fundamental and mandatory aspect of fire safety compliance in Australia. Fire doors are classified as "fire safety installations," and as such, they must be consistently maintained to a high standard of safety and reliability to ensure their effective performance in the event of a fire.   

The requirement for tagging is often tied to the building's approval date. Specifically, buildings approved after certain dates, such as May 15, 1975, or April 1, 1976 (depending on the specific jurisdictional legislation in place at the time), are generally required to have tags fitted to their fire doors. Furthermore, any fire doors that have been replaced in buildings after these dates are also subject to mandatory tagging. Conversely, buildings approved prior to these specified dates are typically not required to have tags fitted to their fire doors unless a local authority explicitly mandated it at the time of the building's original approval.   

Components to be Tagged

A complete fire-resistant doorset, as defined by the standard, includes both the door leaf and the door frame, along with all associated hardware. For comprehensive compliance and traceability, the standard explicitly requires "matching fire door tags on the door and doorframe". This provision underscores that both the movable door leaf and the fixed door frame are integral components of the fire barrier and must each bear appropriate identification tags.   

Required Information on the Tag

For fire doors, the information required on the compliance tag is detailed in accordance with AS/NZS 1905.1. While the original query specified AS 1905.1-1990, the available information consistently points to the superseding AS/NZS 1905.1 for the specific content of these tags. This reinforces the principle that later standards often clarify and consolidate requirements that may have been less explicit in earlier versions.   

The information required on the tag for the door leaf is generally more comprehensive, reflecting the specific manufacturing and performance characteristics of the movable component. This includes:

• The component standard to which the doorset complies (e.g., AS/NZS 1905.1, or historically, AS CA57-1972).   

  
  

• The Fire Resistance Level (FRL), typically expressed in minutes for integrity, insulation, and stability (e.g., -/60/30).   

  
  

• The manufacturer's name (Company name).   

  
  

• The applicant's name.   

  
  

• The certifier's name (Company name).   

  
  

• A unique door tag number or manufacturer's unique door identifier, which allows for individual traceability of the doorset.   

  
  

• The year of manufacturing.   

  
  

• For fire-resistant doorsets approved for exposure to fire from only one side, an arrow indicating the side that was facing the furnace during the fire resistance test of the prototype must also be included.   

  
  

The information required on the tag for the door frame is typically a subset of the door leaf information, focusing on the frame's contribution to the fire rating and its origin. This includes:

• The name of the certifier.   

  
  

• The name of the manufacturer.   

  
  

• The Fire Resistance Level (FRL).   

  
  

The difference in the required information between the door leaf and door frame tags reflects a deliberate approach to compliance and accountability. The door leaf, as the primary movable component, requires more detailed traceability regarding its specific manufacturing and certification processes. The frame, being a fixed structural element, needs to confirm its FRL and the entities responsible for its certification and manufacture in conjunction with the door. This system ensures that compliance is a multi-faceted responsibility, involving various parties such as the manufacturer, applicant, and certifier. The comprehensive tagging system provides a clear audit trail for the entire doorset, enabling authorities and maintenance personnel to understand the provenance and performance characteristics of each critical component, which is vital for accurate record-keeping and effective maintenance.

Table 1 below consolidates the essential information required on fire door tags, as typically referenced under AS/NZS 1905.1. This table serves as a quick-reference guide for professionals seeking to verify or create compliant tags, clearly delineating the specific information required for both the door leaf and the door frame.

Table 1: Essential Information for Fire Door Tags (Referencing AS/NZS 1905.1)

Information Category	Required on Door Leaf Tag	Required on Door Frame Tag
Component Standard	Yes (e.g., AS/NZS 1905.1 or AS CA57-1972)	No
Fire Resistance Level (FRL)	Yes (e.g., -/60/30)	Yes
Manufacturer's Name	Yes	Yes
Applicant's Name	Yes	No
Certifier's Name	Yes	Yes
Door Tag Number / Unique Identifier	Yes	No
Year of Manufacturing	Yes	No
Directional Arrow (if applicable)	Yes (for one-sided fire exposure)	No

Physical Specifications of the Tag

Beyond the content, the physical characteristics of the compliance tag are also strictly regulated to ensure durability, legibility, and tamper resistance. The tag must be made of a durable material, typically metal, and its dimensions are specified to be not less than 50mm x 25mm (approximately 2” x 1”).   

The information on the tag must be etched, embossed, or stamped. The characters (alphabetic or numeric) must be not less than 1.5mm (1/16”) high and recessed or projected not less than 0.25mm (0.010”) below or above the exposed surface of the tag. This ensures that the information remains legible even if the tag experiences minor wear or is painted over, though painting fire door labels is generally not recommended unless legibility is maintained.   

The method of affixing the tag is also critical. It must be mechanically attached, typically by nailing, screwing, or riveting, to minimize the possibility of detachment during the doorset's service life. This secure attachment is vital for maintaining the integrity of the fire safety record.   

Table 2 provides a concise summary of the physical specifications for fire door tags. This table is valuable for ensuring that the physical attributes of the tag meet the required standards, complementing the information content requirements.

Table 2: Physical Specifications for Fire Door Tags

Specification Category	Requirement	Source
Material	Typically metal (implied by "etched, embossed, or stamped")
Dimensions	Not less than 50mm x 25mm (or 2” x 1”)
Character Height	Not less than 1.5mm (1/16”) high
Character Relief	Etched, embossed, or stamped so characters are recessed or projected not less than 0.25mm (0.010”) below or above the exposed surface of the tag
Affixing Method	Mechanically affixed (nailed, screwed, or riveted) to minimize detachment. The tag shall not be affixed to the door leaf until installation is complete.

Placement of the Tag

The placement of the compliance tag on the fire doorset is also specified to ensure easy identification and inspection. For the door leaf, the tag is typically installed on the hinge side, approximately 1.5 meters above floor level. This standardized height facilitates quick visual inspection by building inspectors and maintenance personnel.   

It is important to note that the tag should not be affixed to the door leaf until the installation of the entire doorset is complete. This ensures that the tag reflects the final, certified state of the installed fire door, including all its components and proper functionality. As previously mentioned, matching tags are required on both the door and the door frame , ensuring comprehensive identification of the entire fire-resistant assembly.   

4. Compliance, Maintenance, and Implications

Consequences of Untagged or Non-Compliant Fire Doors

The absence of a proper compliance tag or the presence of a non-compliant tag on a fire door carries significant consequences. Without a valid and legible compliance tag, it becomes exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to confirm the integrity and certified Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of the doorset. This lack of verifiable information creates a substantial safety risk, as the actual fire performance of the door cannot be guaranteed.   

In such scenarios, authorities or building owners may be left with limited and costly options. An untagged fire door may require destructive testing of its core to ascertain its fire resistance properties, a process that is both expensive and time-consuming. Alternatively, the untagged door may need to be entirely replaced with a new, compliant, and properly tagged fire doorset. These remediation efforts highlight the critical importance of ensuring that fire doors are correctly tagged from the outset and that these tags are maintained in legible condition throughout the doorset's service life.   

Ongoing Maintenance Requirements and Relevant Standards

Fire doors are classified as prescribed fire safety installations, and as such, they are subject to ongoing maintenance requirements to ensure their continuous safety and reliability in the event of a fire. This maintenance must be conducted by appropriately qualified personnel at regular intervals. While the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 (FRSA), Section 104D, mandates this general maintenance , specific maintenance schedules are often detailed in other standards and codes.   

For instance, the Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP 6.1 requires that fire safety installations perform to a standard no less than what they were originally required to achieve. Furthermore, Australian Standard AS 1851-2005, "Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment," specifies that fire doors are to be maintained at three-monthly intervals. This demonstrates a layered regulatory environment where initial certification under AS 1905.1-1990 is complemented by ongoing operational and maintenance requirements stipulated in later, more specialized standards. The integrity of the tag is crucial for this ongoing maintenance, as it provides essential information for qualified contractors to work on the fire door without compromising its compliance.   

Considerations for Older Fire Doors

The age of a building and its fire doors introduces specific considerations, particularly when dealing with installations from the period covered by AS 1905.1-1990. A significant concern for buildings constructed before January 1990 is the potential presence of asbestos-containing material (ACM) within the thermal insulation of fire doors. ACMs pose a serious health hazard. Building owners have legal obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 to manage and, if necessary, remove ACMs. If a fire door is damaged and exposes loose asbestos, it must be removed by a certified asbestos removalist. Even if the asbestos is bonded or enclosed, the door must be recorded on an asbestos register, appropriately labeled to inform maintenance workers, and managed under an asbestos management plan. This highlights a critical safety implication that extends beyond fire performance to occupational health.   

Another historical consideration for fire doors, particularly those supplied between January 1, 1993, and September 3, 1998, is the compulsory product safety recall of up to 4,500 fire doors made with a pyrokor core. Tests revealed that these doors did not achieve their claimed fire resistance levels. While this recall occurred after the publication of AS 1905.1-1990, it underscores the dynamic nature of fire safety compliance and the necessity for continuous vigilance regarding product integrity, even for certified installations. Such recalls demonstrate that even seemingly compliant products can later be found deficient, reinforcing the importance of accurate tagging for traceability and the need for ongoing inspection and maintenance.   

5. Recommendations and Best Practices

To ensure the continued fire safety and regulatory compliance of buildings, particularly those with fire doors installed under AS 1905.1-1990, the following recommendations and best practices are advised:

• Verify Existing Tags: Conduct a thorough audit of all fire doors and frames to confirm the presence, legibility, and correctness of compliance tags. For any untagged doors or frames, or those with illegible tags, consult a qualified fire safety professional.

• Consult Superseding Standards: While AS 1905.1-1990 is the reference for original approval, practical ongoing maintenance and tagging details are best understood by referencing AS/NZS 1905.1:1997 and subsequent versions (e.g., AS 1905.1:2015). These newer standards provide clearer and more comprehensive guidance for current compliance practices.

• Engage Qualified Professionals: All inspections, maintenance, repairs, and replacements of fire doors and their components must be conducted by appropriately qualified and certified personnel. The integrity of the entire doorset, including its hardware, is crucial for its FRL, and any alterations must be performed by experts.   

  
  

• Maintain Comprehensive Records: Keep detailed records of all fire door installations, maintenance activities, inspections, and any modifications. This documentation, alongside the physical tags, forms a critical audit trail for demonstrating compliance to regulatory authorities.

• Address Asbestos Concerns: For fire doors installed before January 1990, investigate the potential for asbestos-containing materials. If asbestos is identified, implement an asbestos management plan in accordance with relevant Work Health and Safety legislation, ensuring appropriate labeling and safe handling procedures.   

  
  

• Stay Informed on Recalls: Remain aware of any product recalls or safety alerts related to fire doors and components. Regular checks with industry bodies and regulatory authorities can help identify potential issues with installed products.

• Ensure Proper Signage: In addition to compliance tags, ensure that all required fire door signage (e.g., exit signage, "Fire Door - Do Not Obstruct") complies with the relevant Building Code of Australia (BCA) provisions applicable at the time of building approval, typically Section D2.23.   

  
  

6. Conclusion

The proper tagging of fire doors and their frames is not merely a bureaucratic formality but a fundamental component of fire safety infrastructure in Australia. For installations governed by AS 1905.1-1990, understanding the historical context of the standard, alongside the detailed requirements for tagging as clarified by its superseding versions (particularly AS/NZS 1905.1), is essential. These tags serve as a vital, non-transferable record of a doorset's certified performance, its origin, and the parties responsible for its compliance. The information contained within these tags, combined with their precise physical specifications and placement, ensures traceability and facilitates effective ongoing maintenance. Failure to adhere to these tagging requirements can compromise building safety, lead to significant financial penalties, and necessitate costly remedial actions. Therefore, continuous vigilance, adherence to best practices, and engagement with qualified professionals are paramount to ensuring that fire doors fulfill their critical role in protecting life and property.