All You Need to Know About Fire Doors

If you have business premises, a commercial building or office, you should consider having fire doors installed if you haven’t already - if you own a commercial or non-domestic property, there are strict regulations and guidelines to follow. Unlike standard doors, fire doors are designed to withstand a certain amount of heat, so if a fire did break out the doors can reduce the spread and keep people safer for longer.

Fire safety should always be a top priority as you can never predict when an emergency situation may occur. As a business owner especially, it’s your responsibility to have the right precautions in place. Fire doors are one of the best ways of slowing down the rapid spread of fire around different areas of a building, so never underestimate their importance.

In this blog, we explain all you need to know about fire doors and how they work. 

What is a fire door?

As mentioned, fire doors are built with the main aim of preventing fires from spreading. These specialist doors are tested against the elements and purpose-built to withstand roaring fires for as long as possible. Fire doors have a few vital safety features which can be all the difference between life and death. 

What features do fire doors have?

There are several design features that allow fire doors to protect against fires, including:

● Weight - one of the main differences between standard doors and fire doors is their weight. Fire doors are usually much heavier because they need to stay shut. They should not be propped open as to work properly the door must be shut within the door frame so the seal between the door and door frame is in place.

● Intumescent seal - the seal around the edges of the door are designed to expand when temperatures rise above 200 degrees. This seals the gap between the door and the frame and prevents smoke and fire from getting through the gap.

● Fire-resistant glass - again, this is much stronger than standard glass, so the fire cannot come through as easily and some types of glass can also work as an insulator – stopping not just the flames and smoke of the fire, but the heat as well.

Can you prop open fire doors?

Because of the weight of fire doors they can prevent access through buildings and free flow of air so many people keep them propped open. This should not be done. The whole purpose of having fire doors to protect against fires but if your door is not kept closed it cannot do its job and the safety of occupants is not guaranteed.

Checking your fire doors

You should perform regular checks to ensure that your fire doors are in good condition and have no ongoing repairs that need to be looked at. 

● Check for a fire door label or plug on the door as without a certification mark you cannot be sure that it is a true fire door.

● Look at all of the gaps around the door. Are they consistently less than 4mm when the door is closed? The ap under the door can be up to 8mm but you should not be able to see light coming out from underneath. Use a £1 (which is around 3mm) to help you judge.

● Inspect the seals around the door frame. Are they damaged? Any signs of damage can affect the seals and prevent them from expanding and blocking smoke. 

● Make sure the hinges are tightly attached with no missing screws. If the door is not sitting properly in the door frame it cannot perform its function and the spreading of fire will happen more rapidly. Inspect the hinges when the door is closed and open.

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors, we specialise in high-quality fire doors. From installations to repairs and ongoing maintenance, our team always has your safety in mind. If you’re concerned about signs of damage on your fire doors, get in touch with us today and our experienced team will take a look.

What are the benefits of fire doors?

Having a high-quality set of fire doors is essential for making your property safe. While fire doors do not stop fires completely, they hugely contribute by slowing down the spread so you can call emergency help and have more time to escape. They are also beneficial for the following reasons:

● They give you more time to react by blocking the fire from entering the room. Depending on the type of fire doors you have installed, they can block fires for 30 minutes up to a few hours.

● You will experience less fire damage if you have fire doors in place. Instead of burning through an entire building, the door will prevent movement and keep damage outside of the room which means lower repair costs.

● Their heavy weight is designed to close automatically so you don’t need to worry about activating anything. A well-maintained fire door will work on its own when a fire erupts.

How else can you make your business fire safe?

As well as installing fire doors there are many other ways that you can make your property fire safe, such as:

● Checking your fire alarms regularly. In 2018, 38% of battery operated smoke alarms did not sound during a fire due to missing, flat or disconnected batteries.

● Having an evacuation plan in place with a designated fire warden who can lead. If nobody knows what to do when a fire erupts the danger level increases.

● Not overpowering electrical sockets with too many plugs. Too many wires in one electrical output is a common cause in fires and in a commercial setting, this could cause disastrous results.

● Educating everyone about the basics of fire safety. This includes pointing out evacuations points and alarm points. Make sure everyone is up to date with this information by regularly going over it.

● Promote good housekeeping. This means not keeping flammable materials i.e cardboard and paper for longer than necessary. Make sure you have recycling bins and have them emptied regularly. Avoid leaving bags of rubbish in front of sockets and electrical equipment where they could catch alight.

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors: The Fire Door Experts in Mildenhall

If you need new fire doors for your building, Thoroughbred Industrial Doors can help. Available in a range of materials from timber to aluminium and steel, we’ll produce custom-made fire-resistant doors so that the tight fit maximises your fire resistance.

Our experienced team will offer professional guidance so you can find the right fire doors for your needs. Different types of fire rated doors can withstand fire for different lengths of time, so ensuring you have the right product will instantly improve the safety of your premises. We also specialise in maintenance and repairs so your doors continue to function as they should.

Choose a reliable team for your fire door installation. Get in touch with us today for more information.