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3 Important Fire Door Regulations

The benefits that can be gained from a high-quality fire door are impossible to measure. After all, they are an investment that can truly make the difference between life and death in the event of a dangerous fire. With this said, the average fire door is made with several important safety regulations in mind as this ensures that they are manufactured to the highest quality possible. Read on as the ABC Industrial team go over three important fire door regulations and how they apply to their use and maintenance...

How long should a fire door be able to withstand a fire for?

As a general rule, a fire door should be able to withstand the heat of a fire for up to 30 minutes at a minimum. After all, this compartmentalises a building in order to prevent the fire from spreading whilst also providing those who may be inside with enough time to evacuate to safety. With this said, fire door technology is advancing and it is now possible to purchase a fire door that can last for hours! This extra time means that more people can evacuate safely and the fire crew can put out the flames more effectively.

Which properties require a fire door by law?

Many people tend to assume that a fire door is only a requirement in commercial buildings like warehouses, schools and office buildings, however, they are actually a legal necessity in all properties with two or more floors. This means that residential buildings, particularly apartments, should have a full-functioning fire door in place in order to ensure the safety of every inhabitant.

Why can’t fire doors be hooked open?

A fire door has an intumescent seal around the edges which reacts to heat and is designed to expand when temperatures reach 200°C. This seal prevents smoke from escaping and reduces the amount of oxygen that a fire receives; this is important because oxygen is one of the three fundamental requirements that a fire needs in order to sustain itself and by cutting off this supply, the fire is less likely to engulf an entire building. With this said, latching a fire door open means that the expansion of the seal would be futile in the event of a fire and this is why they should always be closed. Here at ABC Industrial, our range of fire doors are fire rated for up to 240 minutes and this impressive quality can make a huge difference if a fire breaks out. After all, there is nothing more dangerous than an out of control and uncontained fire and a well-designed and professionally installed fire door is the most effective way to prevent the flames from spreading. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the ABC team today!

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