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Regulations
Fire Doors are crucial in preventing the spread fire and smoke in buildings.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that flat entrance doors must be considered in the Fire Risk Assessment mandated by the Fire Safety Order. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require regular checks to ensure that self-closing devices are working and the fire doors including flat entrance doors are in efficient working order and in good repair. These checks are to ensure that the existing door standard is maintained.
Click here for the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (www.gov.uk)
Fire Door Ratings Explained
FD30: This rating means that the door has been shown to control the spread of fire and smoke for at least 30 minutes when installed correctly.
FD60: This rating means that the door has been shown to control the spread of fire and smoke for at least 60 minutes when installed correctly.
FD30s/FD60s: the 's' after FD30 or FD60 signifies that the door is not only fire resistant, but also able to stop the spread of cold smoke – these doors have smoke brushes and intumescent strips.
Fire Door Intumescent Strips
What are intumescent strips?
Intumescent strips are fitted to fire doors, and when exposed to extreme heat they expand to close any gaps or edges that might facilitate the spread of smoke & fire.
How much protection is offered by an intumescent strip:
Intumescent strips for fire doors are generally designed to provide around 30 – 60 minutes of fire resistance. This means they contain the spread of fire for a specific period so that occupants have enough time to safely evacuate a building.
Parts of a fire door
A Fire door consists of several components:
- Door frame
- Door leaf
- Essential hardware
- Edge seals
- Glazing (windows)
- Integral side panels or fanlight panels (in an associated door screen)
Fire door Signage
Signage to identify Fire Doors is required by the Health and Safety Executive to ensure they are used effectively to keep your workplace or residence safe. Fire Door signs are used to indicate different required behaviours, such as keeping the door closed, keeping the door clear from obstructions, or keeping the door unlocked when the premises are occupied. Whether it’s a standard or automatic fire door, these instructions are crucial in the event of a fire to stop the spread of smoke and flames and enable the swift evacuation of the building’s occupants. Integral side panels or fanlight panels (in an associated door screen)
Fire Door Closers
Fire door closers are mechanical devices that are installed on fire doors to automatically close and latch the door in the event of a fire. They are designed to help contain a fire and prevent the spread of smoke and flames throughout a building.
There are various types of closer, the most common being: overhead door closers and floor spring door closers. Some models are also equipped with a hold-open feature, which allows the door to be held open during normal operation and automatically close when the fire alarm is activated.
It's important to ensure that fire door closers are properly installed and maintained, and that they are compatible with the fire door they are being used on. Regular testing and maintenance are crucial to ensure that the fire door closers are in good working condition and are able to perform their function in case of a fire.
Fire Door Holders & Retainers
Fire doors play a crucial role in ensuring fire safety within a building. They allow for movement throughout the building while limiting the spread of fire, giving occupants ample time to evacuate safely. However, for fire doors to function properly, they must be closed or close automatically in the event of a fire. Holding them open with objects such as wedges or extinguishers is a common practice but is both dangerous and illegal.
Fire door holders (also known as retainers) offer a legal and safe solution for keeping fire doors open during daily operations. These devices securely hold the doors open, but in case of a fire, they release the doors, allowing them to close and perform their intended function.
Fire door retainers can either be connected to the building's fire alarm system or have an acoustic sensor that detects the sound of a fire alarm. The former type can be powered by batteries or a mains power source, while the latter are usually battery-powered and are generally faster and easier to install.
Drop Down Smoke Seals
Drop-down fire door seals are a crucial component of any passive fire protection system, as they play a vital role in preventing the spread of flames and smoke in the event of a fire. They are typically installed on the bottom edge of a fire door and drop automatically when a door closes, preventing the spread of smoke, fire and materials like dust.
Push Bars
Push bars (also known as panic or crash bars) are usually fitted with a bolt or a latch and are intended for installation on final exit doors which may be used by members of the public in the event of an emergency.
They are designed to be universally simple to use and identify by anyone who is not aware of the building layout to aid in fast evacuation should the need arise. Suitable for use on a wide range of doors