All You Wanted to Know About Fire Doors and Doorsets

Last year, a major fire accident occurred at the Serum Institute of India (SII) plant in Pune, one of the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. While you may think that this is a one-off incident, the fact is that every year, several incidents like this occur across the length and breadth of the country, but few get extensive media coverage. One of the ways to prevent fire accidents is to install fire doors and doorsets as they play a critical role in retarding fire. They help contain the fire and smoke by preventing it from spreading to other parts of a building. Read on to find out how fire rated doorsets help protect lives and property.

Benefits of Installing Fire Doors 

Fire-resistant doors are a must for offices, commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, and factories as they house many lives and property. When installed as per guidelines, fire doors offer the following benefits. 

• When a fire breaks out, the first best thing to do is to prevent it from spreading to other parts of a building. Fire-resistant doors form a barrier between two adjacent spaces of a building and help reduce the spread of fire and smoke. Intumescent strips attached to all sides of the door help reinforce the seal.

• Fires thrive on oxygen supply, which is why, in the event of a fire, it is important to cut/restrict the supply of oxygen. Fire-resistant doors form a seal thereby restricting the supply of oxygen. You can choose from different options offering resistance of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.

• Most buildings are designed in such a way that the escape routes are safe from fire to allow easy evacuation of people, in case of emergency. Installing fire exit doors adds to the safety of such escape routes.

Note – As per guidelines, commercial and residential multi-storey spaces are required to install fire doors and doorsets in habitable rooms that lead to stairwells. 

Where to Install Fire Doors and Doorsets

Fire doors should be installed in areas where there is an elevated risk of a fire breakout. For instance, in the case of residential properties, fire doors and door sets should be installed in areas such as kitchens or where several electrical devices are located. Similarly, in the case of commercial properties, the fire exit doors must be installed on the escape routes and areas that are deemed fire-prone  by an authorized body, as per the nature of the business.

Last Word

Do not compromise on the quality of fire doors and door sets you buy just to save a few bucks. Go with a reputable fire-rated door manufacturer that complies with standard guidelines from global certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, & FSC Certification. The fire-rated doorsets should come prefinished with all the necessary hardware. Last but not least, make sure the fire doors and doorsets you buy come with a generous warranty.

Answering Commonly Asked Questions About Fire-Rated Doors

When it comes to protecting commercial spaces, owners cannot rely on traditional doors and windows which are made of plastic and other light materials that cannot withstand the extreme heat in case of fire emergencies. This is where fire doors come to play. They help contain fire and smoke in the wake of an emergency and help minimize the loss of lives or damage to property. Continuing on the subject, in this post, we answer a few commonly asked questions about fire-rated doors. Read on.  

1. What is the material used in fire doors?

Fire-rated doors are made of hardwood and engineered wood, among others. They also come with fire-rated accessories such as frames, handles, hinges, and intumescent smoke seals that expand during fire and prevent smoke from escaping.

2. How to determine if it’s a fire door?

To check if it’s a fire door, you can see the certification sticker that is generally present on the side or top of the door. Most fire doors tend to come with a four millimeter gap around the sides and top. If the door has a larger gap, it may not be fully fire-resistant. Also check if the seals around the corners are intact and the hinges are firm and tight. A good quality fire door should shut properly by itself within no time to avoid fire from spreading. 

3. Can fire doors be glazed or painted?

Fire-rated doors come with a variety of finishing options. Some of the reputable manufacturers provide the options of decorative laminates, decorative veneers, and paint finish for fire doors. You can select from these options as per your choice and the decor of your property. 

4. Can fire doors be repaired?

Generally, it depends on the extent of the damage to the door. A certified professional can help find out the severity of damage and if it needs to be replaced. If the damage is visible, it is recommended to buy a new one to avoid any chances of risks in the future.

5. What are the pros of hinges in fire doors?

Fire door hinges are engineered in a way that they do not warp, deform, and twist during extreme heat to keep the door secure and in place. It is important for a fire door to have three hinges to make it thicker and heavier.

Wrap Up

For a fire door to work properly, it is important to install it correctly into a fire-resistant frame along with fire rated hinges, glazing, and intumescent seals. If you wish to buy a fire door for your property, connect with a leading manufacturer providing factory finished fire rated doorsets. Some more aspects to consider when finalizing a fire-rated door provider include the size of collection, finishing options, and warranty policy, among others.  

Fire Rated Doorsets: An Essential for Fire Safety Compliance

A fire breakout has the potential to destroy entire buildings, costing both human lives and assets. That is the reason why, all business, especially commercial and industrial establishments, are required to have comprehensive fire safety measures, including fire rated doorsets. Commonly installed in corporate offices, commercial establishments, hospitals, hotels and public places, fire rated doorsets help prevent fire and smoke from spreading, giving people more time to escape. In this post, we discuss all you need to know about fire rated doorsets.

What are Fire Rated Doorsets?

A fire-rated door works just like any regular door; the only difference is that they help prevent the spread of smoke and fire in case of an outbreak. A fire-rated door between a room and a hallway, for example, can prevent the fire from spreading from the room to the rest of the establishment. Containing the fire gives emergency services more time to act while the fire is still small and easier to extinguish.

How Fire Rated Doorsets Keep You Safe

The secret is in their build. The structure of a fire rated doorset includes a door leaf, fire and smoke seals, ironmongery and glazing. Available in various fire ratings offering different levels of protection against fire, the door leaf and frame used in fire-rated doorsets are in line with international fire testing guidelines. Here are some of the benefits of installing fire-rated doors:

• Fire and smoke containment
• Facilitating the safe exit of people in the building
• Increasing the time available for emergency services to act

How to Choose Fire Rated Doors?

Truth be told, there are endless fire rated doors in the market. Not all doorsets, however, are truly “fire-rated”. Unless you invest in certified fire-rated doors, you might as well save yourself the money and trouble. Only certified fire-rated doorsets will be able to provide the fire safety features required by a large business or commercial establishment. Depending on your facility, you can choose between different fire-rated doorset options, such as FD30, FD60, FD90, and FD120, offering a resistance of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, respectively.

The Last Word

Are you in line with fire-rated regulations? Investing in fire rated door sets will keep your building safe from the spread of fire. Check out different fire rated doorsets and their certifications. Don’t hesitate to contact your door provider for more information. Be informed and make a smart choice!

A Simple Checklist for Purchasing a Fire-Rated Door

Fire-rated doorsets play a major role in securing commercial and special properties and safeguarding people during fire accidents. Unlike normal doors, fire-rated doorsets come with a sophisticated composition to ensure optimal fire-resistance. In domestic properties, it is wise to install fire-rated doorsets in areas such as a kitchen where there is a higher probability of fire accidents. Not all fire-resistant doorsets are made alike; to select the best fire-rated doorsets for the desired application, it is essential to equip yourself with a basic understanding of what goes into making a high-quality fire-rated doorsets. Continuing on the subject, we present a simple checklist to help you purchase a fire-rated doorsets that is ideal for both commercial and residential properties. Read on.

1. Look for Fire Safety Certification
   All fire-rated doorsets come with a certification to authenticate that they meet the necessary fire-resistance standards. A few common certification standards include BS 476 Part 22, BM Trada and Q-Mark certifications. A label indicating the certification of the door can be found on either the top or the side of the door. Also, you have several fire-resistance standards such as FD30 and FD60 that stand for fire-resistance of 30 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively.  
2. Check for Gaps Around the Door
   A fire-resistant doorsets should be able to contain both fire and smoke without allowing it to escape the room. For that reason, the gaps around the top, as well as the sides of the door, must be less than 4mm when closed. When it comes to the bottom of the door, the gap between the door and floor must not be more than 8mm and you must also not be able to see light under the door when it closed.  
3. Intumescent Seals must be Intact
   Intumescent seals expand when subjected to extreme temperatures during a fire preventing smoke and fire from escaping the room. A fire-resistant doorset is handicapped without an intumescent seal. When shopping for a fire-proof doorset, check along the corners of the doors to see if the intumescent seal is properly intact without any signs of damage. Pay special attention to the edges.  
4. See if the Door Hinges are Perfectly Fixed
   Door must ideally come with three or more hinges that are perfectly installed and firmly fitted. Look for any broken or missing screws. When installing the door, make sure that the opening and closing mechanism works flawlessly and evaluate whether or not it can withstand the intensity of a fire accident. It is wise to buy fire-proof doorsets which include a factory finished pair of a door and door frame. 
5. Close and See if it Fits the Frame Perfectly
   As mentioned previously, it is highly recommended to buy a factory finished set of a door and a door frame. This way, you can be sure that the door will fit the frame perfectly. After installing a fire-resistant doorset, check if the door fits the frame perfectly and closes fully. In the wake of a fire accident, your door must close completely for optimal fire protection. To check the effectiveness of a door, open it halfway through and let go; see if it closes properly by itself. 

Wrap Up
Fire accidents are devastating and wreak havoc by causing loss of life, property, and money. Installing fire-rated doorsets can help you combat fire accidents and improve the overall safety and security of your property. To get real value for your money, it is wise to invest in a good quality doorset that includes a factory finished door and door frame. Reach out to India’s top manufacturer of wooden fire resistant doorsets offering a door and door frame as a factory finished doorset. 

Answering All the FAQs About Fire Rated Doorsets

When it comes to protecting residential or working space and the occupants from the dangers of fires, you simply cannot rely on normal wooden doors. Normal doors and windows used in residential homes and commercial buildings are typically made of wood, plastic or other light materials and are not able to withstand the extreme temperatures in a fire emergency. A fire door comes up with a fire-resistance rating used as part of a passive fire protection system to reduce the spread of fire and smoke between separate compartments of a structure. Their simple purpose in everyday use is just like any other door. A fire door, unlike any other door, must perform its prime purpose – to protect lives and offer protection to the remainder of the building and to other buildings mainly by retarding the spread of fire and fumes. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about fire rated or fire resistant doorsets. Have a look.

How are fire-rated doorsets different from standard doors?

Fire rated doorsets are manufactured to withstand the spread of fire for a given period of time, normally a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows time for occupants of the building to escape. They are available in options of FD30, FD60, FD90 and FD120 with a resistance of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, respectively. They mostly work as regular doors but act as a safeguard in case fire break out.

How are fire-rated doors constructed?

Although there is no universal way of manufacturing fire rated doorsets, the main objective of every manufacturing process is to achieve the desired fire rating that can be FD30, FD60, FD90, or FD120. The door frame is made using hardwood or LVL core depending upon the desired fire rating and is pre-matched with the doors at the time of manufacturing, ensuring you get simply flawless fit and finish. The doorsets also feature an intumescent strip which works to seal the gap between the door and the frame, delaying/preventing the spread of fumes and fire.

How are fire doors tested?

There is a legal requirement for fire door manufacturers to prove that their doors perform as claimed. This is usually done with the help of an independent third party testing company. A ‘door set’ is built into a suitable construction on a furnace and a real fire test is conducted to determine the period of resistance, whether 30 minutes, etc. This test provides evidence for the ‘door set’ fire rating.

Is there anything different about installing a fire door?

A fire door is a life-saving product and must be fitted correctly. The installation is critical to the door’s performance in the event of a fire. Fitting instructions would normally be supplied with the door and it is essential to follow these instructions and to check that any elements used are compatible including the correct seals and ironmongery.

Wrap Up

These are some frequently asked question about wooden fire rated doors. If you are looking to install high-quality fire doorsets in your commercial or residential property, search for a reputable manufacturer’s that has just the solutions you need.  You can also choose your desired finish for fire rated doorsets from the extensive range of decorative veneers, decorative laminates, and paint. Just install a fire rated door in your workplace or home and be assured of safety in case of an emergency.