Fire Doors: All That You Need to Know

Fire doors are an essential elements in commercial and residential buildings. They’re used to protect against fire and act as a fire protection system in places where they’re installed.

The walls around this type of door are fire resistant as well. There are certain requirements and building codes that manufacturers have to follow when building a fire door. Additionally, when purchasing, you should make sure that you buy doors that comply with the codes and standards set out.

Here’s what more you should know about fire doors:

Materials They Are Made Of                      

Fire doors are made of different materials. Some materials aren’t 100% fireproof, but delay the spread of fire for longer time periods.

Fire doors are made of steel, timber and even wood. Fire door’s frames are also resistant to the flames. The door frame is constructed in a manner that helps in sealing the smoke passage. These frames are strong and durable which increases the performance of the fire door. 

Fire Ratings to Follow

Fire ratings are allocated to a door based on its ability to endure direct fire exposure. There are three types of hourly ratings: 1.5 hours, one hour, ¾ hours and 1/3 hour.

A fire door is usually installed in a wall that divides two buildings, with a fire rating of 3 hours. Commonly, the fire rating of a door is associated with the area. The smaller the area, the lower the fire rating. A number of fire doors also feature internal windows which are rated as well. For these windows, usually mesh glass or ceramic glass is used.

Proper Maintenance

Considering their function, it is necessary that fire doors are regularly checked and maintained for enhanced and proper performance. The door frames and fire windows should be inspected weekly, especially in busy buildings. The smoke seals, latch, and the closing device should be checked for any damage.

Operation of the Door

Even though fire doors are extremely useful, their performance can decline due to poor operation. Using doorstops for holding a fire door is not a good idea until and unless it’s an emergency.  Fire doors should be closed 24/7.

Buy high quality fire doors from a trusted commercial door company, like Austin Doors. The company’s fire doors are classified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), certified for Canada (c-UL), FM Approved, and listed by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM).