Fire Doors

In general, fire doors within a block of flats fall into four categories:

Flat entrance doors – These are particularly important, because, in blocks of flats, most fires occur within the flats themselves, and the flat entrance door prevents the spread of fire and smoke into the common parts, thereby placing other residents at risk. In a block of flats, a fire is most likely to occur within the flats themselves. Therefore, to protect the rest of the building from the fire in that flat, the front doors to all flats must be fire resisting.

Doors to stairways and lobbies (between corridors and stairways) – These keep the stairways and lobbies free from fire and smoke. This is essential in allowing safe evacuation by residents and others who might need to leave the building during a fire, and to assist firefighters during firefighting operations.

Doors that sub-divide corridors – Corridors can only be a certain length without a fire break (a fire door and fire wall to break up the long distance without protection). This aids in limiting the spread of fire and smoke throughout the premises, keeping it contained.

Doors to plant rooms and cupboards – These contain high risk equipment (such as electrical distribution equipment) and the fire doors to these areas keep the remainder of the block of flats safe from the fire.

Fire doors should be in all big buildings such as schools, hospitals, residential areas and hotels.

Fire doors will only keep you safe if your fire door follows the regulations.

Significant Gaps – The door must have a gap no bigger than 4mm when door is closed around the top and the sides. The gap under the door must not be bigger than 8mm. If you want an example a £1 is about 3mm thick.

Intumescent Strips – The Intumescent strips should be around the door or frame. The strips will expand if they come in contact with heat and will stop the fire. If the gaps between the door and frame are larger than the above limits, the intumescent strip will not be effective enough to stop the fire from breaching through the door.

Smoke Seals – These can come connected to the intumescent strips. The smoke seals are a form of brush that stops the smoke from getting between the door and the frame before the heat has allowed the intumescent strip to expand. Similarly, if the gaps between the door and the frame are too large, this will reduce the effectiveness of the smoke seal.

Hinges – Hinges must be firmly fixed and there should be at least three hinges with no missing or broken screws.

Closing Properly – A fire door is only effective if it is closed properly. This ensures the gaps around the door are minimal. There will be a fire door keep shut sign on the door to remind you.

Electro – Magnetic Hold Open Devices – These link to the fire alarm system, automatically closing the door if the fire alarm has been activated. Using this device is the only way the doors should be left open.