Choosing the right fire door for your business
Fire doors are a lifesaver, so you’ll need to ensure that your business is sufficiently equipped to keep everyone on the premises safe in the event of a fire – alongside preventing structural damage. These doors are designed to delay the spread of fire and dangerous fumes produced as a result, acting as a barrier and providing a means of escape for those inside the building.
What are the different types of fire door?
There are various different types of fire doors, and regardless of the size and layout of your premises, there’s a design out there to suit any building. Each will carry its own specific level of protection, with FD30 fire doors being built to withstand fire for 30 minutes, whereas FD60 fire doors stop the spread of fire for 60 minutes.
Steel fire door
Alongside providing your building with incomparable levels of security, industrial doors, such as steel hinged doors, can offer up to four hours of fire protection. Being the ideal protective solution for larger buildings with a higher footfall, these work by containing fire and thick smoke, ensuring that everyone inside can exit safely.
Single internal wooden fire door
Being most suitable for smaller environments – taking retail or office settings as ideal examples – single internal wooden fire doors usually have a fire resistance rating of 30 minutes. Most doors are constructed with a solid core, which can be customised with paints or stains to suit your business’s desired aesthetic when not in use. So, as long as your building has a smaller footfall, this is a suitable option.
Glass fire doors
This aesthetically pleasing option, constructed from fire rated glass, is able to withstand temperatures above 120°C – which should be tested and approved to ensure that it can contain flames and smoke. Certain designs will also provide a heat barrier to further protect your building in the event of a fire.
Fire shutters
Fire shutters are another protective method that operate automatically; they’re either triggered by your building’s separate fire alarm system, or they can also be fitted with their own smoke or heat detector. They’re designed to drop in a slow and controlled manner (if installed correctly) to allow everyone to make a safe exit. Not only this, their discrete design won’t affect your business’s aesthetic when they’re not in use.
Fire curtains
Another discrete method, fire curtains control the spread of flames and smoke and protect the building from damage by acting as a flexible barrier. They’re constructed from lightweight reinforced stainless steel wire, meaning that they can be hidden discreetly above the ceiling line when they’re not needed – making them practically invisible. When they’re activated by the fire alarm system, the curtain will drop down automatically in a controlled manner.
Fire door installation and maintenance
Regardless of your sector, our team of experts are here to help secure your premises with the installation of manual and automatic door systems. We also provide 24/7 maintenance contracts, to ensure that your doors, gates and barriers are always working as they should be. Get in touch with us today to find out more!