Fire doors are typically required in buildings where people live, work, or gather, such as residential properties, offices, hotels, schools, hospitals, and public venues. Fire doors are commonly found in escape routes, stairwells, corridors, and areas that house potentially hazardous materials. They serve as a crucial barrier against the spread of fire and smoke, helping to compartmentalise the building and provide occupants with a protected escape route. Additionally, fire doors are often required in areas where fire risks are higher, such as kitchens, plant rooms, and storage spaces, to minimise the risk of fire spreading to other parts of the building.

Fire doors are designed to contain and slow down the spread of fire and smoke within a building, providing crucial protection to occupants and allowing them valuable time to escape. These doors are constructed using fire-resistant materials and are equipped with specialised features that enable their functionality during a fire. A key element is the intumescent seal, which expands when exposed to heat, effectively sealing the gaps around the door and preventing the passage of smoke and flames. Additionally, fire doors are fitted with fire-resistant glazing or solid panels that maintain their integrity even under high temperatures. They are installed in fire-rated frames and come with self-closing devices, such as overhead closers or automatic door closers, to ensure that they close securely in the event of a fire.

Fire doors are rated based on their ability to withstand fire and smoke for a specified period of time. The fire resistance of a door is measured in terms of its fire rating, which is typically expressed in minutes, such as 30 minutes (FD30), 60 minutes (FD60), or 120 minutes (FD120). To determine the fire rating of a door, it undergoes rigorous testing in accordance with recognized standards, such as British Standards (BS) or European Standards (EN). During these tests, the door is subjected to controlled fire conditions, including exposure to heat and flames. The performance of the door is evaluated based on criteria such as integrity (ability to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases) and insulation (ability to limit the temperature rise on the non-fire side of the door). To determine the fire rating of a door, it undergoes rigorous testing in accordance with recognized standards, such as British Standards (BS) or European Standards (EN). During these tests, the door is subjected to controlled fire conditions, including exposure to heat and flames. The performance of the door is evaluated based on criteria such as integrity (ability to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases) and insulation (ability to limit the temperature rise on the non-fire side of the door). Check out our blog for more information on fire door ratings.

Yes, fire doors can have glass in them. Fire-resistant glazing systems are designed to be used in fire doors to provide visibility and light transmission while still maintaining the fire integrity of the door. Fire-resistant glass used in fire doors is specially manufactured to withstand exposure to fire and high temperatures. It is typically made with multiple layers of glass and interlayers that are designed to expand and form a fire-resistant barrier when exposed to heat.