Fire doors & how they typically work.

Fire doors have fire-resistance ratings that hold back smoke and fire, and allows for a building to be compartmentalized, intentionally delaying the spread of the fire from one area to another. They are tested against the elements and are constructed to withstand fires for as long as possible. A Fire Door must serve as a functional entrance or exit when opened, and as a barrier that hinders fire and smoke from spreading, in the event of an emergency.

This is achieved by the use of intumescent strips that are installed either inside the frame or around the door. The strips expand when they are heated to a certain temperature, closing the gap between the door and the frame. A Complete assembly comprises a door frame, door levers, other panels, necessary hardware and seals. For the fire door to work as expected, fire-rated hardware like specialized hinges, and fire rated handles should be included. The Door itself consists of fire slab, or core, sandwiched between various types of wood. The core of any fire door consists of a reinforced insulation material which acts as a fire retardant.

Proper care should be taken when purchasing, and installing fire doors, they are designed to comply with a building’s safety regulations. The materials from which the door frame is constructed, as well as its size must adhere to the required standards. Depending on the type of building/property it is being installed in and the regulations thereof, fire doors should be installed wherever fire emergencies are most likely to start.

Fire doors are manufactured to meet the requirements for the national test standards, and are engineered safety devices, therefore should always be fitted correctly by a competent installer.

Contact one of SFE Services experts to give you a free survey of your fire and life safety equipment.

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