How Do Fire Doors Slow Down a Fire?

A fire door is one of those things that you hope you never need. If there is ever a fire in your building, a fire door can save lives. First, it is important to understand what fire doors can do.



How a Fire Door Works

Different types of fire doors are rated to withstand fire for different lengths of time. All fire doors are built on the same principles. Each door is surrounded by intumescent strips specifically designed to expand when they are heated past a certain temperature. The expanding strips will seal the gap between the door and the frame to prevent the smoke from travelling under the door. It also limits the amount of oxygen the fire gets. This can give the people inside the building valuable minutes to escape without being harmed.

All fire doors also have fire-rated hardware such as hinges and handles that do not warp under extreme temperatures. Depending on the door rating, they can hold back the fire for 30 minutes to several hours. This can give the fire and rescue services ample time to put the source of the fire out before it spreads.

How to Ensure Your Fire Doors Are up to Standard

If you are putting new doors in, the best thing to do is to get a professional to install them for you. They will be sure to install them with all the proper legislation in mind.

If you have existing doors and are looking to see if they are properly installed, there are a few things that you can check for. First of all, doors should all have a certification to prove that they are fire doors. You can find a label either on top or on the side of the door letting you know what it is certified as. If you do not find a label, then you either need to replace the door or bring in a proper inspector to check that it is a fire door.

Other things that you can do is measure the gaps. The gap around a fire door should be no larger than 4mm with the exception of the bottom of the door. The bottom gap may be slightly larger. You can also check the seals for damage. If there is any damage or missing seals, the door may not be as fireproof as needed.

Ensure the hinges of a fire door are firmly fixed and have no missing or broken screws. If the hinges and seals look good, test that the door fully closes. If all of these things seem to be in order, your fire doors should be good. If you are still feeling uneasy, checking in with a qualified technician to come take a look could give you the peace of mind that you are hoping for.

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors, we can either provide you with certified fire doors or check your existing doors are suitable for keeping you and your property safe. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.