Everything You Need To Know About Fire Doors
You will see fire doors in most buildings, whether that's in your home, when you’re at work or out and about. But do you know the importance of them and how they could save your life? They are important because, in an event of a fire, fire doors keep the dangerous flames and smoke in one room. In simple terms, this stops the fire from spreading to other parts of the building. This blog will tell you everything you need to know about fire doors, from their use to how to use them properly and much more.
They save lives by containing the fire, allowing escape routes and safe spots to be free from a fire so you have a better chance of escaping. As well as making it safer for people to escape, it also prevents the building from having more fire damage.
Fire doors work by stopping the fire from spreading, because of the materials they are built with. Most can stop the fire from spreading for up to half an hour and have intumescent strips that will close the gaps between the frame and the door in the event of a fire. However, it is important to remember that this will only work if the door is shut.
They are made of thick material and have a range of tests done to ensure they can stop fire for enough time. In fact, manufacturers must ensure that the doors and frames are tested together before they can get a certification. Each door that is certified will also have a label on the top of it with this information on it.
Although fire doors can withstand fire for a certain amount of time, they must be properly installed and checked to ensure they are still in good condition; fire door maintenance is key. In fact, you legally must have fire doors in all non-domestic properties, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states there needs to be a responsible person to oversee this, including the building’s fire risk assessment.
They are also a good method to ensure your home or flat is fire safe too, they are still a legal requirement in some homes like new builds with more than 3 floors, or if your garage is connected to your home. In terms of decor, fire doors can be painted as you wish, but don’t paint over their seals or hinges.
Fire doors should only ever be left open if there is a free-swing door closer or a fire door retainer in place, they should never be wedged open as this stops their self-closing function from working if a fire breaks out.
These doors should only be fitted by experts with training. No matter the quality of the door, if it isn’t fitted properly, it won’t do its job. Here at Fire Stoppers, we’re registered fire door inspectors and installers. Click here to learn more about how we can help you.
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