The necessity of installing fire doors

Fire rated doors serve a purpose. They are manufactured in a way that is to help reduce the spread of fire and smoke. Fire rated doors allow occupants time to safely exit the structure during a fire or to allow for an area of refuge within the building that protects them until fire service can arrive. These fire rated doors are also part of the building's design and serve to protect fire service personnel during fire suppression. When the door is not properly latched in its frame it loses its effectiveness. When they are not properly maintained they are of no value during a fire making the design and purpose of the door obsolete.

       

         Fire Rated Metal Door   

             

Fire Rated Wooden Door

Fire doors are composed of a combination of materials, including steel, gypsum and other fire resistant materials. Some have fire rated windows, which must be listed for use. These windows may include wire mesh glass, liquid sodium silicate between to window panes, ceramic glass or borosilicate glass. Fire doors are needed when a door has an "exit" sign near or on it, when a door leads to stairwells and horizontal exits, or when a door heads to a hazardous area such as a room used to store flammable liquids. All fire rated doors and frames must be equipped with labels indicating they have met all testing requirements. The label must be provided by a certified testing agency, such as Underwriters Laboratory. It may be embossed or mechanically fastened to the door itself. Labels must indicate the door's fire rated duration such as 90 minutes and may not be painted over or tampered with in any way.

The labels will typically be located on the door near the fire rated door hardware or on the door frame.

Code References 

IBC Model Building Code 

IFC Fire Rated Construction 

NFPA 80 Fire Rated Doors 

NFPA 105 Smoke Doors 

The state has adopted IBC and IFC 2006 editions. You will need to determine what editions your local jurisdiction has adopted to determine which set of standards your facility will follow. 

NFPA 80, Appendix A, 15-2-1 

Fire Doors, shutters and windows are of no value unless they are properly maintained and closed or are able to close at the time of a fire. A periodic inspection and maintenance program should be the responsibility of the property manager. 

Maintenance of the fire rated door

IBC 2006 

3401.2 Buildings and structures, and parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Devices or safeguards which are required buy this code shall be maintained in conformance with the code edition under which installed. 

IFC 2006 

703.2 Opening protective shall be maintained in an operative condition in accordance with NFPA 80. Fire doors and smoke barrier doors shall not be blocked or obstructed or otherwise made inoperable.

NFPA 80, 1999 

15-1.4 Repairs shall be made and defects that could interfere with operation shall be corrected immediately.

15-1.2 Doors, shutters, and windows shall be operable at all times. They shall be kept closed and latched or arranged for automatic closing.

IBC 2006 

3401.2 The owner or owner's designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings and structures.

NFPA 80, 1999 

15-2.1 Hardware shall be examined frequently and any parts found to be inoperative shall be replaced immediately. 15-2.4.1 Self-closing devices shall be kept in proper working conditions at all times.

NFPA 80, 1999 

15-2.4.2 Swinging doors normally held in the open position and equipped with automatic closing devices shall be operated at frequent intervals to ensure proper operation.

1. Ball Bearing Hinge

Ball Bearing Hinge is good for fire rated door which is durable and easy to use. As a professional Ball Bearing Hinge supplier in China, D&D HARDWARE provide customers various quality Ball Bearing Hinge.The Ball Bearing Hinge is one kind of our UL Listed Device. The material of Ball Bearing Hinge is Stainless Steel, so it can keep the original shape very well and it has 3 Hours Fire-rated. The UL certificate Ball Bearing Hinge can also keep smooth surface for a long time, not easy to rust and can wear resistant, these two characteristics greatly reduce the possibility of UL certificate Ball Bearing Hinge become old and bad.  

2.Lever Handle

SUS304 Lever Handle is durable and beautiful. The lever Handle for Fire Rated Doors is one kind of our device. The material of Lever Handle is Stainless Steel, so it can keep the original shape very well and keep smooth surface for a long time. It won't turn yellow or rust. The Lever Handle is smooth and easy to install and use, it can bring you high security and beauty for your Door.

3.Door Closer

Aluminium Door Closer can afford 40-65kg of the door which less than 950mm width. The material of Door Closer is Aluminium, so it can keep the original shape very well and also keep long-term lubrication.The Door Closer can also keep smooth surface for a long time, not easy to rust and can wear resistant, these two characteristics greatly reduce the possibility of Door Closer become old and bad. The Door Closer is smooth and easy to install and use, it can bring you high security and beauty for door.

D&D Hardware Manufacture of high quality hardware for Fire Rated Doors, Wooden Doors, Metal Doors, Escape Doors, Single Fire Rated Flush Doors, Double Doors, Security Doors, Louver Steel Doors etc.

Our products which include Door Hinges, Door Closer, Panic Exit Device, Mortise Locks, Lever Handles, Lock Cylinder, Door Bolts, Door Stopers, etc.

All our products strictly according to international Standard, such as the ANSI, BS EN/CE, UL, BHMA standard.

More fire rated door hardwares, click here.