Everything you wanted to know about fire doors

Everything you wanted to know about fire doors

Fire resistant doors are a key element in a building’s passive fire protection system. In fact, fire resistant doors are required in public buildings such as schools, hotels and hospitals, factories, and offices. These specialized doors have been rigorously tested, rated and approved to withstand fires. Basically, their main function is to prevent the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of the building for as long as possible. Read on and learn more about these lifesaving doors and why you may need to install them.

The key function and features of a fire resistant door

In a nutshell, the function of fire doors is to save lives. More specifically, fire resistant doors delay the spread of fire and smoke for a certain period of time. As such, they allow people to get out of the building safely.

Some of the key features include:

• A solid construction or a special core that is slow to burn. Some doors also include a vision panel that must have fire resistant glazing.
• A fire resistant door frame that is the same standard as the door, usually purchased as part of the door set.
• An intumescent seal, which expands when temperatures reach 200°C and seals the gap between the door and the frame.
• A securing device lock, emergency exit device or panic exit device.
• Hinges, handles and locks that have been tested and are usually part of the door set.
• A door closer.

Fire resistant door ratings and labels

Every fire door and frame should have a permanent label, which must be legible. These labels contain important information including manufacturer, length of time the component can resist fire, whether fire exit hardware is required and so on. For example, theFD label indicates how many minutes the door can withstand fire. FD20, for instance, has been tested to withstand 20 minutes. There are very strict regulations and testing procedures to ensure doors are truly fire resistant.

To know what fire rating you need, consult a professional and the building code in your area. Moreover, depending on the building or the nature of your business, higher ratings may be required.

Fire resistant door sets

Nowadays, fire doors come in various styles with different glazing and finishing options. Typically, fire doors are sold as a complete set, which includes the frame and hardware (hinges, door closer, handles, locks, etc.). We recommend buying a door set as it ensures all elements have been tested and are compatible with the door.

Fire resistant door installation

As fire doors are life-saving products, it is important to install them properly. In the event of a fire, this is critical and can make the difference between life and death. To install a fire door, follow the installation instructions carefully or call on an expert. Furthermore, check that all hardware and hinges are compatible and fully comply with current standards.

Fire resistant doors are mandatory in public and commercial buildings, offices and in some private residences. To know more about fire door requirements, check the building code to ensure your building is safe and to code. If you need a fire resistant door, the experts at Portes Exitech will be happy to help. Contact us today for a free quote and to learn more about their fire doors.