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feature


fire, safety & security


the role of fire doors in enhancing building safety


   Steve Goodburn  


More than just a door leaf A fire door should never be defined by the door leaf alone. Frames, intumescent seals, glazing systems and hardware all work together as part of an integrated system designed to perform under fire conditions. If one component is incompatible, incorrectly installed or substituted for a non-fire-rated alternative, the entire fire door system is liable to fail. The door itself provides the primary barrier against flames and heat, but it must be installed into a compatible frame with precise tolerances to avoid excessive gaps. Many modern fire doors also incorporate glazed apertures, not only to allow natural light and


visibility but also to enable the assessment of the fire conditions on the other side of the door. Glass in fire doors must be fire-rated and installed during the manufacturing process as part of an approved fire door system. Fire safety glass varies in its protection levels, from simple integrity (E) to advanced solutions that reduce radiant heat transfer (EW) or even provide full insulation (EI). Furthermore, the glass panes often serve multiple design and compliance demands. For example, Pyroguard Advance offers up to 89% light transmission,


Continued on page 32... 


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