The purpose of a fire door is important to understand when it comes to safety. These doors are designed to stand against fire for a designated time. This allows time for occupants to safely leave the building in case of a fire emergency.
Fire doors play a vital role in separating the fire from the entire building and preventing it from spreading. These doors also help protect firefighters by giving them enough time to control the flames.
In this post, we will talk about the primary and secondary purposes of fire doors and the key features that help to fulfill the fire door’s purpose.
Understand the Primary Purpose of a Fire Door
The principal or primary reason for assigning a fire door is to confine a fire. It also helps in gaining precious time in situations of a fire incident. Here’s a breakdown:
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Separation
Fire doors are considered for fire separations from the entire building. They are able to delay fire, smoke, and hot gases from spreading to the other parts of a building.
These doors make it easier for people to escape the building. It gives them more time to do so.
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Time Advantage
Fire doors are known to have a certain rating, just like the fire-rated doors by TRIO. This rating helps to know how long these doors will be able to sustain a fire.
Secondary Fire Door Purpose
Fire doors are crucial for containing flames. They offer some valuable secondary purposes that contribute to overall fire safety.
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Smoke Barrier
In fire situations, not only does it stop the fire, but also the smoke. This smoke could also be deadly when inhaled.
Smoke quickly blocks access to exits and causes severe health issues in this process. Fire doors help design safer evacuation routes by preventing smoke from traveling through buildings.
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Improved Firefighter Safety
Fire doors offer a level of protection to the firefighters who are combating the fire. They provide better control for firefighters leading to better containment of the fire.
Thus, reducing cases of flashovers and backdrafts which are dangerous occurrences.
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Reduced Property Damage
The purpose of the fire doors is to separate the actual fire so that it does not spread to the other sections of the building.
It not only saves on expenses of repair but also conserves assets such as equipment, documents, and other items.
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Psychological Comfort
The realization that there is a fire barrier between you and the flames gives a certain level of reassurance during an abusive evacuation.
Key Features of Fire Doors
Fire doors are more than just a regular door. They are specially designed to stand against fire for a designated time.
It comes with several key features that fulfill the purpose of a fire door.
1. Fire-Resistant Core
Being able to identify the component of a fire door that makes it unique is the key.
It is commonly made of mineral wool or calcium silicate material along with some types of treated wood. All this material can be fire resistant.
2. Intumescent Strips
These are credit solutions well-kept secrets within a fire door. These strips are installed haphazardly on the door and frame where the draft can easily be felt.
In the situation where there is a fire, these strips of metal tend to expand and close any existing gaps that there might be on the door and frame.
This forms a tighter barrier, which in addition, slows down the spread of fire and smoke beyond its reach.
3. Fire-Rated Hardware
This is not limited to the door itself. Every hinge, closer, and lock used in the door must be of fire-rated auspice.
Each part of these apparatuses is intended to be heat-resistant. It remains fully operational during a fire.
This makes it possible for more force to be applied to the closing of the door and, therefore, be capable of rendering the protection it is supposed to in case of a need.
4. Self-Closing Mechanisms
Typically, fire doors have self-closing features. In the case of fire, the heat ascending makes the release open. Simultaneously, shutting the door to contain the fire and the smoke.
5. Door Labeling
In this case, fire doors should come with a label that informs the public of their fire rating. This rating indicates that the door can meet the standard fire test for the time that is stated below.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the purpose of fire doors is important for building safety. It also helps in compliance with fire regulations . These doors also play a crucial role in containing fire and smoke, and in safeguarding lives, and minimizing property damage.
The safe evacuation routes and delays in the spread of fire provided by these doors enhance overall fire safety measures.
If you also want to install better fire-rated doors, contact TRIO India for all your requirements today!