Compliance with fire safety standards in the UK hinges upon the proper precautions and preventative measures that ensure that a building and its occupants are protected from the danger of fire and smoke. Fire doors play a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke which protects both the physical property and anyone inside the building.
How Do Fire Doors Ensure Effective Fire Safety?
source: ventrogroup.com
According to Maria from Doors Galore “The main role of a fire door is to prevent the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of a building, allowing safe passages for escape and buying as much time as possible for the emergency crews to put out any blaze that has started.”
The importance of fire doors is exemplified by the fact their use has been enshrined in law for commercial, public, and multi-use buildings for decades. In the event of a fire, properly installed fire doors in good working condition will save lives and property.
What Parts of the Fire Doors Make This Possible?
source: in-linesafety.co.uk
It is essential that fire doors are installed correctly for their components to work in the manner that they are designed to. Maintaining fire door integrity is partially accomplished through the installation process and partially through the maintenance and inspection process that follows. What parts of the fire doors are responsible for their ability to be so effective at preventing major fire damage?
Intumescent Seals:These seals are designed to swell when they reach a certain temperature, creating a barrier that fire and smoke cannot cross.
Smoke Seals:Smoke seals are the lesser of the two seals but are still a powerful way to prevent the spread of smoke and harmful vapours from travelling to other parts of the building.
Fire-Rated Door Hardware:This is specifically designed hardware that can handle the heat of a fire while maintaining its structural integrity.
Automatic and Self-Closing Door Closers:Automatic closing doors play a crucial role in fire door efficacy, ensuring that smoke and flames cannot spread.
Fire-Rated Door Slabs and Glazing: Due to the special materials used in their construction, fire-rated door slabs and glazing can withstand heat and flames for anywhere from 30-120 minutes, depending on the grade of door you get.
How is Building Safety and Compliance Affected by Fire Doors?
source: floridafiredoorinspection.com
The role of fire doors in fire safety has been proven again and again, making them one of the most important aspects of fire safety plans across the UK. Building and occupant safety relies heavily on building owners and managers for compliance when it comes to the use of fire doors. How do the people responsible ensure that they remain in compliance with the laws?
Fire Door Assembly: fire door assembly can be done only by certified individuals. Every part of the assembly process, from the materials used in the door slab itself, any glazing, and all other parts, must be handled by technicians who are approved to work on fire doors.
Fire Door Installation: fire door installation is also a process that needs to be handled by trained and certified individuals. The seals, hardware, closers, and slabs must be handled with care and installed so that in the event of a fire, they can properly function, stopping fire and smoke from spreading.
Inspection of Fire Doors: Fire doors must be inspected regularly to ensure that they remain in compliance with the current building standards. All aspects of most fire doors should be inspected every 6 months and every 3 months for doors in high-traffic locations.
