Guardians of Safety: A Closer Look at Fire Doors

Fire doors are an essential part of some building’s fire safety systems. They are designed to contain fire and smoke and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the building. Fire doors are required in most commercial and residential (mainly apartment) buildings in New Zealand, and they must meet certain standards in order to be effective.

What is a Fire Door?

A fire door is a door that has been specifically designed to resist the spread of fire. Fire doors are made with fire-resistant materials, such as steel, wood, or fibreglass, and they have intumescent seals that expand when exposed to heat to create a tight barrier against smoke and flames.

Fire Door Standards in New Zealand

In New Zealand, fire doors must meet the standards set by the Building Code of New Zealand (BCNZ). The BCNZ specifies the fire resistance rating (FRR) that the device must have for different types of buildings. The FRR is a measure of how long a fire door can withstand exposure to fire before it fails.

For example, fire doors in commercial buildings must have an FRR of at least 60 minutes, meaning that they must be able to withstand exposure to fire for at least 60 minutes before they fail (residential buildings must have an FRR of at least 30 minutes).

Fire Door Construction

Fire doors are typically made with a solid core of fire-resistant material, such as timber, fibreglass, or steel. The core is then covered with a facing material, such as veneer or laminate.

Also, fire doors have intumescent seals around the edges of the door and the door frame. Intumescent seals are made from a material that expands when exposed to heat. This expansion creates a tight barrier against smoke and flames, preventing them from spreading through the door.

Fire Door Components

• Door leaf: The door leaf is the main part of the fire door. It is typically made with a solid core of fire-resistant material and covered with a facing material.
• Door frame: The door frame is the structure that the door leaf hangs in. It is typically made of wood or metal.
• Intumescent seals: Intumescent seals are made from a material that expands when exposed to heat. They are located around the edges of the door leaf and the door frame to create a tight barrier against smoke and flames.
• Fire door closer: A fire door closer is a device that automatically closes the door in the event of a fire.
• Latching mechanism: A latching mechanism is a device that keeps the door closed. It is typically located on the door frame and engages with a strike plate on the door leaf.

How Fire Doors Work

Fire doors contain fires and prevent them from spreading to other areas of the building. They do this by using fire-resistant materials and intumescent seals to create a barrier against smoke and flames.

When a fire occurs, the intumescent seals around the edges of the fire door expand to create a tight barrier against smoke and flames. This prevents the fire from spreading through the door.

The closer also plays an important role in preventing the spread of fire. The fire door closer automatically closes the door in the event of a fire, preventing the fire from spreading through the doorway.

Fire Door Maintenance

Fire doors must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they are in good working order. This includes inspecting the intumescent seals, the fire door closer, and the latching mechanism.

The intumescent seals should be inspected for any cracks or damage. If the intumescent seals are damaged, they must be replaced immediately.

The fire door closer should be tested regularly to ensure that it is working properly. The latching mechanism should also be tested regularly to ensure that it is engaging properly.

Common Misconceptions

All Doors Are Fire Doors

A common misconception is that all doors in a building can act as fire doors. In reality, fire doors are specially designed and tested to meet specific standards that regular doors do not.

One Size Fits All

Another misconception is that one type of fire door is suitable for all situations. The choice of fire door should be tailored to the specific needs and risks of a building.

Leaving Them Open

Another misconception is leaving fire doors open for convenience. This should never be done, as it negates their purpose. Fire doors must always be kept closed to be effective.
It is illegal to keep fire doors open unless they are held by an “approved hold open” device connected to the fire alarm.

Fire safety doors are an important part of any building’s fire safety system. They are designed to contain a fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the building. In order to be effective, they must meet certain standards and be regularly inspected and maintained.