Fire doors are one of the most critical parts of a building due to their essential job of reducing fire spreading in emergencies. Besides, there exist many elements around the installation and their functionality. If you want to know what is a fire door? Here are some features you should know.
Keep reading this blog, especially if you have a commercial building and don’t know the features of fire doors and how they can help you in a fire catastrophe.
What Is a Fire Door?
A fire door is a hollow metal door made of steel, solid timber, aluminum, and gypsum to stand up against fire. The fire door’s primary function is to withstand the heat generated by a catastrophic fire. It is one of the best types of doors for commercial buildings.
They have a closing device with a latch, and they pass through a test to check if they work well. All the hardware receives an inspection. Usually, fire doors are confused with exit doors, but they are different. Exit doors have the purpose of allowing people to escape while fire doors avoid the spreading of fire.
This type of door has a heat shield that boosts the protection of the building and blocks extensive flames. Besides, another vital element of a fire door remains on the law requirements, so the door needs to be installed due to the fire codes and the building’s passive fire protection system.
Fire-resistant Materials Used in Fire Doors
Many features make a fire door a good choice for a building. The fillers primarily determine the heat resistance and fire-resistant materials used in their construction.
The fillers in a fire door will determine the number of hours the door will remain closed even if a fire breaks out inside it. Silicone and gypsum are some of the most common fillers.
These materials are used to reinforce a wooden door’s frame and prevent it from catching on flames. Usually, they will be installed along the door frame to prevent the spread of the fire.
Fire Door’s Frame
A fire door’s frame is typically made of Solid Timber. This material is a tough textured wood that is commonly used for furniture.
Many fire doors are also covered in fire-resistant glass. This glass is specially designed to resist the effects of raging fires. It is available in several fire-resistant glass types and has been tested to prove its durability.
This glass is an excellent option for protecting buildings in case of a fire because it can stand high temperatures and prevent the spread of flames.
Fire Doors Use a Seal to Prevent Flames
A fire door must have a seal that prevents flames from spreading outside the building. It should have a gap that is no more than 4 mm wide.
The seal should be a thin metal strip that runs down the middle. These strips should be easy to find in most homes. It is essential to check the gap around a fire door before buying it.
A good seal will ensure that the door will remain closed, preventing the spread of the flames.
The Fire-resistant Door Must Be Fully Closed to Be Effective
The door must be labeled, and a plug must be installed. The entry must have a gap of at least four millimeters while closing.
It should also be fitted with intumescent seals and hinges. Its latch should not interfere with the integrity of the fire-resistant door. It should fit onto its latches without excess friction.
Fire Doors Must Be Correctly Installed
A fire door should be installed appropriately by professionals to avoid gaps around it. Its intumescent seals should be intact and expand in the presence of heat.
Also, the installers need to seal the frame door properly. The hinges must be secured and should be firmly in place. This factor will help prevent the fire from spreading and destroying the building.
A fire-resistant door should be durable and easy to install. The material must pass rigorous testing to be a good choice. The glass should be made of either glass or ceramic.
The materials used in fire doors should also meet the requirements of the building’s code.
Moreover, the installation must be done by someone with certification.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of a fire-resistant door. This door will save your life, but it will protect your building from the dangers of a fire. However, for this door to be effective, you should hire a specialist in this type of installation.
Other Facts and Features of Fire Doors
First, a building fire door assembly involves different parts such as the hinges, the hardware, glazing, locks, latches, and others. All the mentioned components go through the fire test separately or together to assure their functionality.
Usually, the fire door inspection is made by a certified agency because the fire doors must comply with fire-resistance ratings.
The fire rating determines how long the door will resist the fire heat. Some resist 30 minutes and others more. Everything will depend on the materials used for the door construction. There exist different types of fire-resistant materials.
Moreover, fire doors never have to be blocked by any object like tables, chairs, trashcans, and others that restrict the functionality. This feature is vital because the door must be latched to seal correctly against fires.
There is always a responsible owner who is in charge of completing all the fire doors’ security measures. In accidents because of negligent maintenance, the owner is responsible for attending to any emergency or violation fee.
Fire doors do not need special paint or varnish, but some people paint them as a decorative element to match the colors of the walls.
Need Door Assistance and Repairs
Now that you answered, what is a fire door? You should start thinking about how important they are for saving lives. If you are a business owner, it is vital to count on at least one in your building.
You can contact us if you have any questions regarding commercial doors, and we will be more than happy to help you out. We count on trained and experienced professionals.
Receive a free quote today!