Every time a fire breaks in your building within a fraction of a second flames and smoke start spreading. You must have wondered sometimes if there was a shield or guard to stop the fire from spreading. But most importantly protect your property and give the people a chance to escape. Fire door comes to the rescue in these critical moments. They look like normal doors but they can save your lives and stop the fire from spreading in seconds.
The design can hold fire for a long time. This is an opportunity for escaping and preventing damage to the property. These doors play a very important role in public spaces and high-end properties to protect people from fire and make the escape routes safe. This article will tell you all the key information about fire doors. It will answer all your questions and by the end, you will realise why they are important to you and your family.
What is a fire door?
A fire door is a door that stops fire and smoke from spreading in the entire property. Certainly, it looks like a random door but it is a very important safety feature in construction. The amount of time these doors can hold fire is quite impressive. It gives the people of the property enough time to run and save their lives.
These doors are just not any random doors. They have a bigger purpose which is to save people from fire hazards. But to get the best results they have to be regularly inspected, properly placed, and always left in a good condition. If there's a small problem, the door won't be able to give protection from fire.
Protection brought by a fire door
When there is a fire on a property, the first goal is to protect the people on the property. Nobody can think where they will spread, however, there are some ways which stop the fire and a fire door comes as the hero of all the methods. We have often heard that it is better to prepare yourself for every situation. Fire doors help you to prepare for any hazards. In this section let us look at how fire door protects both the property and people.
- Protecting your property: Fire doors hold fire for a time of 30 to 60 minutes. This stops the flames and smoke to spread quickly. Also, it can protect valuable assets of the property such as such as important documents. Likewise, it stops the fire from spreading to other properties.
- Protecting the people: These doors are important for saving lives. It offers time for people to escape from the property. This allows help to access the area more rapidly. Also, it stops the spread of harmful smoke and reduces the risk of suffocation during the evacuation process.
Differences between fire doors and normal door
Just like humans, properties also need a guardian that can protect them from hazards. We know that a normal door can never be enough to stop a fire from spreading. Fire doors have a huge role in stopping the destruction a fire can cause. We will look at some of the differences between these two doors. And understand why they are so important for maximising the safety of your houses.
1. Different Construction and Materials used
A fire door is made from many layers of fire-resistant materials. It is filled with substances like gypsum, vermiculite, and mineral wool. These materials provide a cushion and stop the heat from spreading. This keeps the fire door cool during the most dangerous fires. A standard door is made of many materials such as wood, glass and metal. This mainly prioritises appearances over fire protection.
2. Fire ratings and certifications
Normal doors do not meet the required performance levels. On the other hand, a fire door is tested many times before it can meet fire safety standards. This also gives them ratings and certifications. The fire rating tells for how many years it can hold the fire and smoke.
3. Weight and Thickness
A fire door is heavier and thicker than a normal door. This is because of the construction to provide more safety features. It also adds resistance to hold fire.
4. Smoke and fire control
Fire doors act as a barrier and it can hold a large amount of fire and smoke. Unlike normal doors, they slow the spread of the fire and prevent smoke from spreading. Normal doors are made only for appeal and based on the requirement without focusing on the fire prevention ability.
Choosing the right fire door for your property
Making the right choice is important to make sure about your safety from a fire breakout. There are many options available in the market. But the question is what factors should you consider before making the right decision? Below are some of the factors you should keep in mind before choosing the right fire door for your property.
- Understand your fire safety requirements: You need to conduct a fire risk assessment to focus on areas that are of high risk and need special protection. Also, you will have to decide what is the property type to decide which fire door will be the best for your property.
- Consider fire door ratings: These ratings indicate the amount of time it can hold fire. Choosing the right door with correct ratings depends on the level of risk in that particular area.
- Check the building regulations: Buildings are decisions that where the fire doors should be placed. It is decided by the government and it should meet a certain criterion to qualify as per the needs of the property.
- Materials and construction: The materials are important for it to function well. It will then be able to hold the fire and prevent it from spreading. Its construction is made of frame and hardware to stop fire.
- Regular maintenance: Regular inspection and proper maintenance are important for a fire door to function at its best. After all, even the best door won’t offer protection if it is not looked after.
Conclusion
Fire doors are important for protecting both the property and people. They are the barrier to stop the flame from spreading. This also provides people with enough time to empty the place of fire. It is also important to understand the importance of a fire door and how you can choose the right door for the safety of your property. Choosing the right fire door is not just about the laws or regulations but safety is what matters the most. You need to carefully understand your needs and invest in a high-quality door to meet your requirements.
Also, we need to remember that without proper maintenance fire doors are of no use. With the correct construction and placement, you can maximise safety and protect your property and people. Now, to understand construction and fire safety you should check out courses from the College of Contract Management to give the correct knowledge of installation and maintenance of a fire door. It is time to take the first step and take charge of your construction projects with confidence. Enrol today and be sure that you are ready to protect your property and people.
