Fire doors are specially designed doors that help prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. They are a crucial part of a building’s passive fire protection system, which means they work even when no one is around to activate them. Here’s a clear breakdown of what they are and how they work:

What is a Fire Door?

A fire door is a door made from fire-resistant materials, such as solid timber or metal, that is built to withstand fire for a set period of time—commonly 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60). These doors are rigorously tested and certified to meet specific standards (e.g., BS 476 or EN 1634-1 in the UK).

How Do Fire Doors Work?

Fire doors are designed to contain fire and smoke in one area, protecting escape routes and limiting property damage. They work through several key components:

  1. Fire-Resistant Core and Materials
  • The door is made of materials that resist high temperatures without losing structural integrity.
  • Often filled with a solid core such as wood composite, mineral core, or steel.
  1. Intumescent Strips
  • These are fitted around the edges of the door or frame.
  • In a fire, they expand (up to 10x their size) to seal gaps between the door and frame, blocking smoke and fire.
  1. Smoke Seals
  • Often combined with intumescent strips, these stop smoke from passing through the edges of the door before the fire reaches high temperatures.
  1. Self-Closing Mechanism
  • Fire doors must automatically close behind people to contain the fire.
  • This is done using door closers, either surface-mounted or concealed.
  1. Certified Fire-Rated Hardware
  • Hinges, locks, handles, and even glazing must be fire-rated.
  • Glass panels in fire doors are made from fire-resistant glass, which can withstand heat without shattering.

Where Are Fire Doors Used?

  • Escape routes (corridors, stairwells)
  • Flats and apartments: front doors to each flat should be fire-rated
  • Shared areas in HMOs (houses in multiple occupation)
  • Plant rooms or boiler rooms
  • Communal areas in commercial and residential buildings

Why Are Fire Doors Important?

  • Life safety: They give occupants time to escape by containing fire and smoke.
  • Legal compliance: Under UK fire safety regulations (e.g., Fire Safety Order 2005, Building Regulations Part B), buildings must have adequate fire compartmentation.
  • Insurance and liability: Failure to maintain fire doors can lead to legal and financial consequences.

Fire Door Best Practices

  • Never wedge them open unless they are fitted with a certified hold-open device.
  • Inspect regularly for damage, wear, or warping.
  • Ensure closers work and doors latch fully.
  • Check for certification labels on the top edge of the door.