If you need to install a fire door in an office building, industrial building, or warehouse, but you’re unsure how to select the right one, this article will guide you through the main parameters of such doors and offer tips for choosing them. In case the lock of your fire door gets jammed or the key gets stuck, it’s essential to have a reliable locksmith service on hand. A proficient locksmith Leeds can ensure that your fire door functions correctly, providing security and safety. Moreover, in emergency situations where quick access is necessary, an emergency locksmith can swiftly address issues like a lock jammed or a key stuck in the door. Remember, regular maintenance by a skilled locksmith can prevent these problems, ensuring your fire door remains in optimal condition.
Classification of Doors According to the Level of Fire Resistance
The letters stand for the structural strength of the door unit and thermal insulation properties. The numbers are the time in minutes during which the door is guaranteed to remain intact and does not allow flame, smoke and heat to pass into the protected area. For example, an EI90 class fire door is capable of holding back fire for 1.5 hours without losing its protective properties and changing the design (overall dimensions).
Construction of a Fire Door
A fire rated door is made not only of metal, but also of wood and even plastic. Of course, non-metallic doors are not capable of resisting flame for a long time. The maximum fire resistance class includes wooden and plastic door blocks.
Only Metal Doors can Provide Sufficient Time for Evacuation and Fire Extinguishing
Steel fire doors are made from cold-rolled steel sheets with a thickness of 1 to 6 mm. The frame is additionally reinforced with steel reinforcements. A layer of fire-resistant insulation – basalt wool slabs – is laid inside the door leaf and frame.
Basalt Wood is Non-Flammable and is Marked With the NG index
Smoke seals are installed along the perimeter of the door leaf to the box, and heat-resistant tape is glued. In case of fire, the tape expands several times and seals the doorway.
Door fittings, locks, handles, door closers and the Anti-Panic system are made of heat-resistant alloys or high-temperature resistant plastic.
Factoring for Fire Resistance
When choosing a door’s fire resistance class, consider the type of premises. So, for doorways leading to the stairs, it is necessary to install doors not lower than EI45 class. For interior rooms, doors with EI30 class are sufficient.
Fire resistance is a key characteristic of fire doors, therefore the principle “the higher the better” is appropriate here as nowhere else.
Anti-Panic System
The system allows all door locks to be opened by pressing the push bar or swing arm once. Most often “Anti-panic” is used in crowded places, in shopping centers, stadiums, train stations and airports. Important! It is forbidden to use ordinary locks, latches and latches on fire doors with the Anti-Panic system. It is recommended that all fire doors be equipped with the Anti-panic system, as it greatly simplifies the opening of the sash in smoke or darkness and accelerates the evacuation of people.
With or Without Glass
For the glazing of fire doors, a special fire-resistant type of glass is used. The thickness of such glasses can be up to 30 mm. The glazing area cannot exceed 25% of the door leaf area. Doors with glass inserts provide more options when fighting fire, as they allow you to control the situation inside the room. However, they are more expensive than their counterparts without glass.
