Understanding Fire Doors: Why Every Component Matters
Fire doors are more than just individual parts they operate as a carefully designed and tested system. Each fire door set is subjected to rigorous testing with specific components to ensure it performs effectively in the event of a fire. Replacing, omitting or misusing any part can compromise the door’s performance, potentially putting lives and property at risk.
Below is a breakdown of key components that make up a compliant fire door set:
1. Intumescent Seals
These seals expand when exposed to high temperatures, closing the gaps around the door to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke for a specified period.
2. Door Closers
Door closers automatically return the fire door to its closed position after opening. It’s essential to choose a closer with the correct strength for the door’s weight to ensure safe and efficient operation.
3. Door Leaf
The main body of the door should include a fire-rating identification label. This label will indicate the manufacturer, fire resistance duration, and the required compatible hardware.
4. Threshold Seal
Fitted at the base of the door, threshold seals help block cold smoke from seeping through gaps beneath the door, providing an extra layer of protection.
5. Locks and Latches
Only fire rated locks and latches should be used. These ensure that the door remains securely shut under fire conditions maintaining its role as a barrier.
6. Door Frame
The frame must be fire rated and compatible with the door leaf. A non rated frame will invalidate the performance of the fire door no matter how effective the door leaf is.
7. Hinges
A minimum of three hinges is required for fire doors. These should be fire rated and in some cases used with intumescent hinge pads to enhance protection. Some hinge sets come with built in intumescent features.
8. Glazed Vision Panels and Air Transfer Grilles
Vision panels allow visibility while maintaining fire resistance if fitted with fire rated glass. Air transfer grilles provide airflow under normal conditions but in a fire the intumescent core expands to block smoke and flames.
9. Letterplates
Fire rated letterplates are fitted with intumescent liners that expand under heat, sealing the letterbox opening to prevent fire and smoke from passing through.
10. Signage
Fire door signs are a critical aspect of fire safety. The most commonly seen is the blue and white circular “Fire Door Keep Shut” sign. Depending on the location and the requirements in your fire risk assessment other variants may be used. These signs are classed as mandatory and serve as clear instructions to ensure doors are used correctly and remain effective in a fire scenario.
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