Although they can be heavy to open and a bit annoying at times, fire doors save lives and stop the advance of a destructive fire.
That is the main purpose of fire doors because they create an entire passive fire safety system.
They are even a legal requirement, both for private buildings and flats and commercial properties.
And if you are thinking of installing this lifeguard on your property, today we will tell you what the 7 applications for fire doors are.
Characteristics of fire doors
Fire doors can be more or less fire retardant, but all fire doors must meet the following characteristics:
- Integrity is the ability to resist fire on exposed surfaces without spreading to unexposed surfaces due to escaping flames or gases.
- Due to heat transfer, the ability to insulate or resist fire on the exposed surface without spreading to the opposite surface.
- Fire resistance time. It will be 30, 60, 90, or up to 120 minutes.
- The durability of the automatic closing device. That is, the ability to maintain flawless opening and closing gap, force, and speed after experiencing many opening and closing cycles.
Where to place fire doors?
Fire doors offer a solution for a rapid evacuation of people inside a closed space where the fire occurs. In turn, they resist high temperatures for a long time.
Fire doors should be installed in places where there is a large crowd of people. These places include:
1. Domestic dwellings
A fire door should separate the stairwell and each habitable room in homes over two stories high.
While security in an average one or two-story home can also get through a fire alarm system, sprinklers, or leaks, you can also supplement with a fire door.
If you consider replacing internal doors with fire doors, there is currently no law preventing you from doing so; however, such a change can pose some complications.
And is that fire doors are 44 mm thick, while most interior doors are 35 mm, which means that you would also have to make a frame change to work properly.
2. Cinemas and theaters
The owners of cinemas and theaters are responsible for the safety of their customers during the time they are in their facilities.
That is why the security system of these spaces must include fire doors, which may be able to contain a fire for a specific period so that people can exit safely.
Many theaters and cinemas are located in historic buildings, so there is the added consideration of protecting the building’s heritage through these doors.
3. Hospitals
A fire door is a crucial security element in a healthcare building, as it guarantees a barrier to prevent or delay the spread of fire and smoke.
Taking this precaution in hospitals is literally vital, as patients, healthcare personnel, visitors, equipment, and the building must be protected.
The idea of fire door installation is to maximize the time for evacuation if the fire can’t control it.
And is that, being so complex sanitary buildings, fire doors are necessary to protect the lives of those who are inside.
4. Educational Institutes
Educational centers host a large number of students and staff at the same time. That’s why they must have fire doors in their facilities.
This is an essential part of the fire protection model. Because it prevents fire and smoke from spreading to places where students and staff can be trapped, such as classrooms, libraries, hallways, and offices.
In addition to this, the fire door must meet signage standards to help direct students and staff to safer locations.
5. Shopping centers
When it comes to shopping malls, fire doors are a vital issue.
And, this type of passive protection is beneficial in cases in which the fire has already occurred since it prevents its spread throughout the shopping center.
In this case, the fire doors in the corridors of the shopping center must always be open. They will be subject to electromagnets connected to the current, which will allow an automatic closing in the event of a fire.
These doors have different levels of resistance capacity: FD30, FD60, FD90, and FD120, which limit the fire for 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes respectively.
6. Residential buildings
Residential complexes also require strict and compatible fire protection systems to ensure the safety of all residents.
And generally, the entrance and exit doors in residential buildings require approximately one hour of fire resistance.
In this sense, fire doors are responsible for giving people time to seek refuge outside the building. To the same extent, it prevents the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings in a densely populated area.
7. Commercial and industrial buildings
There are a lot of regulations for commercial and industrial buildings, which require the use of fire extinguishers and fire axes.
The reason for this, of course, is the protection of employees, customers, and others who enter the commercial property.
Generally, the design of the building is what will determine how many fire doors are needed.
It is commonly required to install a fire door at all main exits and stairways, corridors, and horizontal exits.
If you’ve questions about the regulations for fire doors, don’t hesitate to contact our professionals as they will inform you about everything you need. Whether you’re in Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Holiday, Elfers, Land O Lake, or any other area around Tampa, contact us.
