A fire door is an important part of a building's fire safety strategy. If properly specified, installed and maintained it can be used to slow the spread of fire and smoke, ensure safety of escape routes, and afford occupants the time to evacuate the building.
But it is not enough to just buy a fire rated door. The door set (leaf, frame, hinges, closer, seals and hardware) must be appropriate for the area in which it is to be used and secured properly. There are a number of important issues to keep in mind before arranging installation, to which building owners, landlords, facilities managers and contractors should give consideration.
Check the Fire Door Specification
The first thing you need to decide is what type of fire door you need. Fire doors can vary in fire resistance; the specification should consider the fire plan of the building and the area in which the door is being installed.
Verify the required fire resistance rating and ensure that the entire door set has been properly tested and/or evaluated for the anticipated use. The rating must be taken in conjunction with the surrounding frame, glazing, seals and hardware as these can impact the door's rating.
When in doubt, consult a qualified fire safety expert before purchasing the door.
Inspect Door Set and its components.
A fire door is more than just the door leaf. All the components must function as a tested or properly evaluated system.
Prior to installation, ensure the door has appropriate:
● Fire-resistant door leaf
● Frame
● Intumescent and smoke seals.
● Hinges
● Door closer
● Latch or lock
● Glazing, where required
● Approved ironmongery
● Threshold or other necessary parts
Substituting an inappropriate part in the door set may impact the performance of the entire set. As a consequence, the components should be in line with the manufacturer's specification and the relevant certification or assessment.
Choose a Competent Installer
Correctly installed is crucial as well as selecting the right product. A well certified fire door can become inoperative if it is improperly installed.
Seek an installer who has the right experience, training and knowledge to install fire doors. Inquire about past work and the types of fire doors they typically install.
A competent installer should be familiar with the problems of frame alignment, fitting tolerances, fire-resistant fixings, the location of seals and hardware compatibility. They should also recognize and flag issues that may impact the installation with the surrounding wall or opening.
Inspect Door Opening
The condition of the opening should be verified prior to fitting of the door. All aspects of the wall construction, frame opening and surrounding materials must be appropriate for the fire door that has been specified.
If there are gaps, damage or defects around the opening, these should be dealt with, not just covered up at the time of installation. The door should fit properly in the frame and have the right clearances meeting the manufacturer's specifications.
It is one thing where haste will lead to unnecessary hassles in the following future.
Review Certification and Supporting Documentation
Prior to installation, request the applicable certification, test evidence and/or assessment details for the proposed door set. The documentation should be directly related to the product and configuration that is being installed.
Maintain a record of the door specification, installation details, product information and inspection following installation. Well documented systems can be very useful in the future for maintenance, fire risk and building management purposes.
Consider Fire Door Hardware
Don't buy hardware just because it looks attractive or is easy to use. Hinges, closers, locks, latches, handles and other fittings must be appropriate for the specific type of fire door.
A door closer, for instance, has to be suitable for the size and weight of the door and installed properly for the door to close completely. Seals must also be installed properly and without gaps, and should not be damaged.
If specialist hardware is needed, always adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.
Schedule future FD Maintenance
It's not just about installing a certified fire door, it's about doing it right. To ensure fire doors are effective during their life, they require regular inspection and maintenance.
Once installed, set up an appropriate inspection and maintenance program. Look for broken seals, loose hinges, non-functional closers, space, worn frames and more.
When working with established fire door maintenance companies, you can reduce the likelihood of developing a bigger problem, as the defects will be provided before they get to an extreme level. Fire doors that are used extensively or subjected to heavy use in buildings require regular checks.
Put SAFETY first!
While a certified fire door can be a critical part of the protection system, it is only part of the solution, and it needs an entire system to be properly specified, installed and maintained to provide any level of protection.
Prior to installation verify required fire rating, product certification, components, opening condition and skill of the installer. After the door is installed, keep good records and conduct regular checks.
By doing these things, you can help assure that your fire doors will continue to do their job, and that your building is a safer place for all who use it.
Comments