Designing and Installing Doors

Posted on: 26 January 2022

Fire doors are an essential part of any building's infrastructure, whether the building is residential or commercial. The primary purpose of these doors is to act as an effective barrier that prevents fire from spreading from one room to the other. They are, therefore, an ideal component that can be fitted in vital areas of escape, such as stairways and corridors. However, a fire door installation cannot be conducted by any regular technician. Since it is such a crucial part of a fire protection system, it is necessary to have a professional do the installation and ensure it is done perfectly. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind before your fire door installation.

What makes a fire door?

A fire door is designed to delay fire from spreading within a building. Therefore, to achieve this goal, the materials used should be capable of resisting high temperatures. Aluminium, steel, and glass are commonly used in fire door installations, each offering a unique quality in addition to the door's primary function. For example, aluminium is a perfect alternative for lightweight doors and areas where a high level of hygiene needs to be maintained. On the other hand, steel is a robust material suitable for doors placed on external walls since it offers excellent security. Finally, glass is a unique choice to achieve a premium aesthetic look and feel on your property.

Why should fire doors remain closed?

For your fire door installation to remain effective, it is crucial to ensure it stays closed. For this purpose, automatic fire doors are preferable, especially in areas that experience a lot of foot traffic. When a fire breaks out, the fire detection system will send a signal to the fire door's magnetic locking mechanism, which will cause the door to lock automatically. It is equally vital that there should be no obstacles placed in front of the fire door if it is to close and latch as intended. Doing this will ensure that your fire door installation functions correctly, allowing the fire to be put out before it spreads.

What is a Fire Resistance Level (FRL)?

A quality fire door is commonly rated with a Fire Resistance Level, which indicates how well it can resist the spread of smoke and fire. The FRL is displayed using three numbers representing the fire door's integrity, insulation, and structural adequacy. Integrity refers to the length of time a fire door can resist fire and smoke from passing through. Insulation refers to how long the fire door would take to reach critical temperatures after being exposed to fire on one side. Finally, structural adequacy refers to the ability of a structural element to carry a load when exposed to fire. Since fire doors are not structural elements, this number is not given. 

For more information about fire door installations, contact a local service.