For the record, the fire has become humanity’s best friend and worst enemy. With almost every household having a kitchen and access to electricity which can short circuit, the technology to prevent the spread of fires has had to develop rather quickly.
One of the most prized inventions for passive fire safety systems is the fire door! Commonly located at escape points and between compartments with access to fire sources, fire doors are a necessity for most buildings.
The goal of a fire door is to buy time for the occupants of a building to safely escape, secure their most valuable belongings and prevent the spread of the fire until firefighters arrive.
The ratings for these doors range from FD30 to FD60, FD90, and lastly FD120. Each rating has its own unique functionality and engineering to protect the safety and escape route of a building.
FD30 is an abbreviation for Fire Door 30. As the name implies, these doors provide a 30-minute window to escape or secure some belongings before the fire burns through.
It should be ensured that all fire doors are properly installed and taken care of, in order for them to work effectively, so consider purchasing fire doors from a trusted provider!
How Do Fire Doors Work?
During a fire, the temperature around the intumescent strips of a fire door typically reaches approximately of 200°C (10-15 minutes after the fire has started). The strips will slowly expand and seal the gaps between the door and the frame.
Installed gaskets also prevent dangerous fumes and smoke from escaping the compartment and potentially harming the fleeing occupants of the building.
This system effectively slows down the spread of fire and smoke.
Additional Features
Neoprene weatherstripping is incorporated to prevent rain or water from infiltrating the door.
The process itself is achieved by rerouting water. It also prevents air from entering, which saves energy on heating and air-conditioning, and keeps any smoke contained.
These doors are also equipped with an automatic door closing system and, depending on the specific door, they are either kept open under normal circumstances or closed at all times.
Fire doors that are kept open are held by an electromagnet wired to the fire alarm. If the power dies or the alarms are set off, the coils become de-energized, effectively closing the door. Wireless and battery-operated doors are also a viable option.
It is worth noting that some fire doors include glass and glazing screens which make them transparent. Compared to ordinary glass, these screens will not easily crack or melt; they are able to withstand 60 minutes of exposure to heat before they soften.
Final thoughts
Fire doors are an integral part of keeping a building safe by minimizing risks when a fire breaks out. With their sophisticated technology, they are able to save the lives of many.
Consider purchasing a fire door that matches your house’s aesthetics and provides the required level of security for your home. Not only can fire doors save you from future disasters but with multiple modern designs available, they can simultaneously improve your home’s aesthetics!
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