The Perfect Tool For Stopping Fire Outbreaks In Homes

By Andrea Millford


In the event of a fire outbreak, specialized doors that withstand fire help to slow the spread of the flames and the smoke throughout the building so that the people inside can escape safely. These doors are typically used in commercial locations that require these stronger, fire-resistant doors to meet building codes. These special doors have a fire-resistance rating that is given by the building and fire code inspectors to determine how long the door will hold up in a fire.

The requirements for fire doors are determined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and are centered on the timeframe that the doors can withstand scorching temperatures. For instance, a door with a 90-minute rating is projected to resist the flames and the smoke for about 90 minutes. Most doors' rating also takes into deliberation the rating of the surrounding walls; in fact, the wall rating is connected to the door rating, usually by about 75%. This means that a wall that has a 2-hour rating will typically have doors with 90-minute ratings. Rating requirements for specific sites are set by the building codes or the local fire marshals.

Hardware, like in other forms of construction like horizontal boring, is another issue that should be taken into account in certification. These doors must also be able to close and latch on their own; if a fire breaks out, they require no manual intervention to close and to latch. The doors should also never be held open, unless it is by a magnetic hold that is attached to the fire alarm so it is released if the alarm goes off. If locks are used, then they must be fail-safe to ensure that the door is automatically unlocked in the event of a fire.

All of the fireproof doors must be clearly labeled to show that all of the requirements have been met by a certified testing agency, and that they must also show their rating as well. For the wooden fireproof doors, there are detailed requirements that must be included to pass certification. For example, the door must have a solid wood core, and there should be no more than a fraction of an inch of clearance between the bottom of the door and the floor.

There should be no holes greater than an inch in diameter drilled in the door, and the hardware preparations must be done by the manufacturer to ensure the certification. The frame must be comprised of steel and it should also be readied by the manufacturer beforehand.




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