Steel Door Institute

The Steel Door Institute (SDI) is a non-profit business association founded in 1954. Its primary mission is to develop and promulgate quality and performance standards for steel doors and frames. The organization collaborates with major testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to ensure that its standards meet rigorous criteria.

Mission and Standards

The SDI focuses on ensuring that steel doors and frames meet high standards for strength, quality, consistency, security, weather and fire resistance, longevity, and environmental sustainability. By specifying products that adhere to SDI standards, architects, specifiers, building owners, and construction professionals can be confident in the quality and performance of the doors and frames they install.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

SDI member manufacturers are committed to sustainability, aiming to produce energy-efficient openings that enhance building performance while being made with recycled materials. These practices help reduce waste and environmental pollution. The organization works closely with manufacturers to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are independently verified documents providing transparent and comparable information about a product's life-cycle environmental impact.

Education and Resources

The SDI offers various educational resources, including online courses, to help architects, specifiers, and distributors understand the benefits of using steel doors and frames in building projects. These courses cover topics such as sustainability, fire-rated doors, and specialty door types like blast-resistant and bullet-resistant doors.

Industry Collaborations

The Steel Door Institute collaborates with other industry associations, including the Door & Hardware Institute (DHI), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). These collaborations ensure that SDI standards align with broader industry practices and regulatory requirements, contributing to the development of sustainable and high-quality building products.