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FlipFix metal faced 1 hour fire rated access panel with picture frame, door closed

Fire Rated Access Panels Explained: 1 Hour vs 2 Hour

By , Managing Director · Updated

If you cut a hole in a fire-resisting wall or ceiling, you need to put back the fire resistance you have just removed. That is what a fire rated access panel is for. This guide explains what the ratings mean, how they relate to the Building Regulations, the difference between 1 hour and 2 hour panels, and the fitting details that decide whether the rating actually holds on site.

Why fire rated access panels matter

Many plasterboard walls and ceilings are part of the building's fire protection: walls around protected stairs and escape routes, compartment walls and floors, walls between flats or between a house and an integral garage, service risers and shafts. These constructions are designed to hold back fire for a set period, typically 30, 60 or 120 minutes. A standard access panel is just a steel or plasterboard door, and it can let fire and hot gases through long before the surrounding wall fails. A fire rated panel has been tested in a representative wall or ceiling so the opening performs for a stated time.

Building Regulations: what Approved Document B says (in general terms)

In England, fire safety requirements are set out in the Building Regulations, with practical guidance in Approved Document B (Volume 1 for dwellings, Volume 2 for other buildings). The guidance sets the fire resistance periods needed for elements such as compartment walls and floors and protected escape routes, and says openings in fire-separating elements should not reduce that performance. It does not name products, and the period you need depends on the building, its use and the element. The person designing the work, and ultimately building control, decides what is required. Always check your drawings or specification, and ask building control if in doubt.

Other parts of the UK have their own regulations and guidance (Scotland's technical handbooks, Wales's own Approved Documents and Northern Ireland's Technical Booklets), so check the guidance that applies where the work is.

Reading the rating: E, EI, 30, 60, 120

European fire classifications use letters and minutes:

  • E (integrity): the panel stops flames and hot gases passing through for the stated time.
  • I (insulation): the unexposed face stays below a set temperature rise, so it will not ignite things on the other side.
  • The number is the period in minutes, so E60 is 60 minutes integrity and EI120 is 120 minutes integrity and insulation.

The FlipFix fire rated panels we stock are rated for integrity (E) on their datasheets, tested to BS EN 1364-2:2018 and BS EN 1634-1:2014+A1:2018. They are not listed as smoke, acoustic or airtightness rated. If your specification calls for EI, or for a smoke-control rating, check the datasheet and certificates with the specifier before you buy.

1 hour vs 2 hour: which do you need?

Match the panel to the wall or ceiling. A 1 hour panel in a 1 hour wall keeps the wall's rating at the opening; a 1 hour panel in a 2 hour wall becomes the weak point. As a general rule, a higher-rated panel can be used in a lower-rated construction, but not the other way round, and the panel must also be tested in the type of construction you are fitting it into. Our range:

There is no 30 minute panel in the range. Where a 30 minute construction is specified, a 1 hour panel is often used instead, but confirm that with whoever is responsible for the fire strategy.

For areas that do not need fire resistance, such as a bathroom stud wall that is not part of an escape route, a non fire rated metal faced panel or non fire rated plasterboard faced panel is the cheaper choice.

Fitting details that keep the rating

A fire rating only applies to the panel fitted as it was tested. FlipFix's datasheets set out the conditions:

  • Construction. The panel goes into a wall or ceiling that itself achieves the rating. For the 1 hour plasterboard faced panel, FlipFix lists tested constructions such as 2 x 12.5mm Type F plasterboard (EN 520) in partitions, shaft walls and non-loadbearing suspended ceilings with matching fire test evidence.
  • Orientation. Tested from the room side, with the door opening towards the fire risk side, which means opening downwards in a ceiling.
  • Gap. A maximum gap of 2.5mm between frame and opening on each side. Cut carefully; an oversized hole can void the rating.
  • Size. The fire tested size is 600 x 600mm with no increase permitted on the standard datasheets. The larger 1 hour metal faced sizes have their own FlipFix specification sheet.
  • Sealant. FlipFix says to apply intumescent acrylic mastic to the back of the frame on the 2 hour metal faced panel, and lists permitted sealants (such as Mann McGowan Pyromas A, or a sealant fire tested to the stated standards) for the 1 hour plasterboard faced panel. The 1 hour metal faced datasheet lists sealant as not required.
  • Keep it shut. A fire rated panel only works when it is closed and locked. Do not prop it open or replace the lock with a non-tested one.

Keep the datasheet and fire test certificate for your building control file or O&M manual. You can download them from the product pages or FlipFix's website.

Frequently asked questions

Do I legally need a fire rated access panel?

Only where the wall or ceiling is required to be fire-resisting. Approved Document B gives the guidance; your designer or building control will confirm which elements apply.

Can I use a 2 hour panel in a 1 hour wall?

Generally yes: a higher-rated panel can go into a lower-rated construction, provided it is tested for that type of wall or ceiling.

Are FlipFix fire rated panels smoke sealed?

No. FlipFix lists them as integrity (E) rated and not smoke, acoustic or airtightness rated.

Can a fire rated panel go in a ceiling?

Yes. All the FlipFix panels we stock are dual purpose. In a ceiling the door opens downwards, as tested.

Order access panels

Browse all our access panels or the full FlipFix range. Every panel can be ordered singly, prices are shown ex VAT at trade prices, and you can order online or call us on 03330 908479 for bespoke sizes or project quantities.

Delivery: access panels are £15 + VAT per order under £300 ex VAT and free from £300 ex VAT. Most orders over £400 + VAT are delivered free across England, with delivery to mainland Wales and Scotland too. Mainland Wales and mainland Scotland: Celotex insulation and Knauf loft roll have £40 ex VAT delivery on every order; ceilings have a £400 ex VAT minimum plus £40 ex VAT delivery; British Gypsum plaster and plasterboard have a £400 ex VAT minimum plus £40 ex VAT delivery. We do not deliver to Northern Ireland or the Scottish islands.

Sources: FlipFix datasheets and fitting instructions for FF/000/MD/PF/FL, FF/060/MD/PF/FL, FF/120/MD/PF/FL, FF/000/PD/BF/BL and FF/060/PD/BF/BL (FlipFix downloads); HM Government Approved Documents (gov.uk). Prices ex VAT and correct at the time of writing.

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