Fire doors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of occupants in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. These specialised doors are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, allowing people to evacuate safely in the event of a fire.
However, one common question arises: Can you lock a secure fire door? We explore innovative solutions for securing fire doors without compromising safety, and how Bradbury Group’s range of door closers and fire seals can enhance fire safety in your building.
Why is it important to keep fire doors closed?
Fire doors are an essential component of a building’s passive fire protection system. They are designed to compartmentalise a building, preventing the spread of fire and smoke from one area to another.
When a fire door is kept closed, it can contain the fire for a specified period, typically 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60), depending on the door’s fire rating. This crucial time allows occupants to evacuate safely and gives firefighters the opportunity to control the blaze.
Can you lock a fire door?
While it may seem tempting to lock a fire door for security reasons, it is generally not recommended. Fire doors must be easily accessible and operable from both sides without the use of a key or special knowledge. Locking a fire door can hinder the swift evacuation of occupants during an emergency and may violate fire safety regulations.
However, there are situations where it is necessary to keep a fire door open for operational reasons, such as in busy corridors or frequently accessed areas. In these cases, innovative solutions like electromagnetic hold-open door closers or free-swing door closers can be used to keep the door open while ensuring it closes automatically in the event of a fire.
What are the different types of fire door closers?
There are some different types of fire door closers:
Overhead door closers
These are the most common type of door closers, mounted on the top of the door frame or the door itself. They are available in various power sizes to suit different door weights and sizes. Overhead door closers can be surface-mounted or concealed within the door frame for a more aesthetically pleasing look.
Concealed door closers
As the name suggests, concealed door closers are hidden within the door or frame, providing a sleek and unobtrusive appearance. They are particularly suitable for use on fire doors in high-end commercial or residential properties where aesthetics are important. Concealed door closers are available in various power sizes and can be adjusted to control the closing speed and latching action of the door.
How do door closers work in the event of a fire?
In the event of a fire, door closers play a critical role in ensuring that fire doors close automatically, preventing the spread of fire and smoke. When a fire is detected, the fire alarm system is activated, triggering the release of any electromagnetic hold-open or free-swing door closers. This allows the fire doors to close automatically, even if they have been kept open for operational reasons.
As the fire door closes, intumescent seals around the door frame expand under the influence of heat, sealing any gaps between the door and the frame. This creates a barrier against the spread of fire and smoke, allowing occupants to evacuate safely and giving firefighters time to control the blaze.
Bradbury Group’s range of fire doors
Fire doors play a vital role in protecting building occupants and preventing the spread of fire and smoke. While it is generally not recommended to lock a fire door, innovative solutions such as electromagnetic door closers and free-swing mechanisms can be used to keep doors open for operational reasons while ensuring they close automatically in the event of a fire.
Bradbury Group offers a comprehensive range of fire doors designed to enhance fire safety in commercial, and industrial buildings. Our fire doors are engineered to provide maximum protection against the spread of fire and smoke, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and compliance with regulations.
Our fire doors are available in various ratings, including FD30 (30-minute fire resistance) and FD60 (60-minute fire resistance), to suit different building requirements. These doors are constructed using high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure optimal performance in fire situations.
Contact us today. Our team can provide guidance on selecting the right fire doors for your specific needs, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with fire safety regulations.
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