A fire door schedule entry is not just paperwork — it is a contractual specification and the foundation of the compliance evidence trail, defining what must be installed, to what standard, with what evidence. A schedule that is vague or incomplete is where compliance failures begin, because every field left out becomes a question asked later, on site, under time pressure.
A compliant NBS-format fire door schedule entry must state: the EN 13501-2 fire classification (not just an FD rating), the smoke classification where required, the frame type, the hardware, the gap-fill specification, and the evidence reference (Declaration of Performance and ETA). Each field removes an ambiguity that would otherwise surface at delivery or inspection.
This is the complete format, field by field, with a worked example. The principle throughout is simple: state the performance and the evidence explicitly, so the doorset that arrives on site is unambiguously the one that was specified, and the documentation to prove it is already named.
The complete schedule entry — field by field
Every fire door schedule entry should carry these fields. Missing any one of them is how a correct intention becomes a non-compliant installation:
- Door reference — the unique mark that ties the entry to the drawing (e.g. D-101).
- Product / doorset — the specific product, not a generic description (e.g. DFM DS 120-1S).
- Configuration and size — single or double leaf, clear opening dimensions.
- Fire resistance — the EN 13501-2 classification (e.g. EI₂ 120), not an FD rating alone.
- Smoke control — the smoke classification where required (e.g. Sa4 / S200).
- Frame type — the frame as assessed in the ETA (e.g. block frame).
- Gap fill — the perimeter fill specification (for DS 120: cement or lime-cement mortar).
- Hardware — each item, within the ETA field of application.
- Evidence reference — the Declaration of Performance and the ETA number (ETA-22/0324).
Every field a schedule omits becomes a question someone asks on site — usually when the doors have already arrived. The schedule is where those questions are meant to be answered.
A worked example — DS 120-1S, single leaf
Here is how those fields come together in a single compliant entry:
D-101 · DFM DS 120-1S · Single leaf, 1000 × 2100 mm clear opening
Fire resistance: EI₂ 120 per EN 13501-2
Smoke: Sa4 / S200
Frame: steel block frame per ETA-22/0324 annex
Gap fill: cement or lime-cement mortar (mineral wool not permitted)
Hardware: [schedule items] within ETA field of application
Evidence: DoP ref [number], ETA-22/0324 (OiB Vienna, NB 1322)Every element is explicit. A contractor reading this knows exactly what to order, how to install it, and what documentation to hand over. A building control officer or Gateway reviewer can verify each line against the evidence named.
Common errors to avoid
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| FD60 without EN classification | Not a complete entry — add EI₂ 60 per EN 13501-2 |
| No smoke classification where required | State Sa / Sa4 / S200 per the fire strategy |
| Generic “fire door” with no product | Name the specific doorset and its ETA |
| Frame type unspecified | State the frame as assessed in the ETA annex |
| Gap fill omitted on DS 120 | Specify cement or lime-cement mortar explicitly |
| No evidence reference | Name the DoP and ETA-22/0324 |
Each of these is a routine finding on inspection, and each is avoidable at the schedule stage for the cost of one more line of text. The complete entry is not longer work — it is the work done once, properly, instead of three times under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a compliant fire door schedule entry include?
It must state the EN 13501-2 fire classification (not just an FD rating), the smoke classification where required, the configuration and size, the frame type, the gap-fill specification, the hardware, and the evidence reference — the Declaration of Performance and the ETA number. Each field removes an ambiguity that would otherwise surface on site.
Is FD60 enough on a fire door schedule?
No. FD60 alone is not a complete entry. It references a BS 476 result and does not state the EN classification or whether insulation is required. Add the EN 13501-2 classification, for example EI₂ 60, to every FD reference on the schedule.
What is NBS format for a fire door schedule?
NBS format is the structured specification format widely used in UK construction, where each doorset entry sets out its performance and evidence in defined fields. For a fire door that means stating the EN classification, smoke classification, frame, gap fill, hardware and the DoP/ETA evidence reference against a unique door mark.
What gap fill should a fire door schedule specify?
It depends on the doorset. For a DFM DS 120, the schedule must specify cement or lime-cement mortar for the structural perimeter gap; mineral wool is not permitted and would take the installation outside the ETA configuration. The gap-fill field should never be left blank on a fire door entry.
What evidence should a fire door schedule entry reference?
It should name the Declaration of Performance (by reference number) and the ETA number — for DFM DS doorsets, ETA-22/0324, issued by OiB Vienna (Notified Body 1322). Naming the evidence on the schedule lets building control and Gateway reviewers verify each entry directly.
