Fire doors are designed to protect against smoke and flames during a fire emergency. They are the first line of Defense when a fire breaks out in a building. Fire doors are also a legal requirement in most buildings, such as commercial, public, and multiple-occupancy buildings. It is equally vital that fire doors are maintained in good condition to serve their purpose effectively in a fire emergency.
You need to check certain things in a fire door to ensure that it is in Good condition and complies with the fire regulations.
4 things to check in fire doors to ensure its effectiveness.
1. Certification
All fire doors should have a certification label or plug. The label or plug can be seen on the top or side of the door. It has the rating mark on it. If there is no certification label or plug, it may mean that the door is not a fire door.
2. Signage
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All fire doors should have correct body signage to convey a specific message to the people. Some of the messages that may be on them are ” keep shut” and “keep locked,” and some of the automatic fire doors may bear “Keep Clear.”
3. Closure
Fire doors must be closed to offer protection against flames and smoke. Check if the fire door closes firmly onto the latch. Check the seal to make sure it is intact and free of damage.
Conclusion.
All fire doors are meant to be in good condition to serve their purpose. When this is not achieved, fires and flames in a fire emergency can cause more damage to the facility’s building. So, it’s important to always check for certification labels and adequate signage and ensure the door is permanently closing.
Frequently asked questions on fire doors.
1. What is the meaning of a fire door?
A fire door is a door with a fire-resistance rating used as part of a passive fire protection system. Fire doors reduce the spread of fires and smoke between separate compartments of a structure. It also helps in ensuring safe egress from a building or a structure.
2. Where are fire doors used?
Fire doors are used in buildings, and they are not restricted to only commercial buildings but also private and residential houses. Fire doors are used mostly in places where people need to be protected from fire emergencies.
3. How do you know if a door is a fire door?
There are many ways to know if a door is a fire door. First, it must have a metal identification tag on the edge of the door towards the hinge side. There is a presence of door closers and panic hardware on the door. There is a presence of signage that indicates that the door must remain closed.
4. What are the main functions of a fire door?
Fire doors serve many purposes, and they include
- To protect the escape route from fire effect and smoke effects so that individuals can easily escape to safety
- It limits the amount of oxygen available for the fire to encourage the fire’s diminishing.
- It encourages safe egress when there is a fire emergency and closes independently after each opening.
5. What are the benefits of a fire door?
Fire doors prevent fumes—smoke, and fire from spreading in the surroundings.
6. Where are fire doors placed?
They are mainly placed in all doorways leading to escape routes. They are often used in rooms that have a high risk of fire occuring. Such rooms include boilers, IT server rooms, and Rooms containing Flammable liquids.
7. What colors are fire doors?
There are standard fire door colors: ash grey, dark grey, light grey, chocolate grey, and white.
8. Do fire doors have a key?
Most fire doors are lockable from the outside using some form of outer access device, but they can be opened when the internal panic hardware is pressed.
9. What is the difference between fire doors and fire exit doors?
Fire doors are found internally, such as in between rooms, but fire exit doors are situated on the exterior of a building and mark the final door of an escape route.
10. What materials are used in the construction of a fire door?
All fire doors are made of strong enough materials to resist, slow, or stop the spread of fire, smoke, and flames. Wood, steel, fiberglass, fire-rated glass, or a combination are commonly used.
11. Who are fire door manufacturers?
There are many fire door manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers worldwide. Please email us at geemma166@gmail.com for a good recommendation on fire door manufacturers.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
