In the event of a fire, one of the important ways in which we protect people and property is to control and prevent the spread of the fire where possible. One of the techniques used to achieve this is the installation of fire doors at points throughout the building. An oft-overlooked yet vital step in having a fire door which meets the legal standards, and is efficient at preventing the spread of fire, is to fit certified fire door furniture. This article aims to explain the different varieties of fire door furniture available and how they will enable you to follow the appropriate safety procedures.

What Is A Fire Door And Who Needs Fire Door Furniture?

A fire door is designed to slow the spread of fire and reduce the amount of smoke present in a building, allowing for safer evacuation in the event of a fire. Specifically, a fire door is a door with a fire protection rating. Part B of the UK Building Regulations specifies the need for fire doors within buildings as part of the minimum fire protection requirements. To comply fully with these regulations, the fire doors need to be fitted with all appropriate fixtures and fittings.

Fire doors are necessary in all commercial buildings, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005. They are also required to be installed within mixed-use buildings between the residential and business areas of the property. Finally, fire doors are now required in houses with more than one storey that have a door leading from a garage into a house, and in any new build or renovated property with three or more storeys, including loft conversions. In these buildings fire doors should be fitted to each room leading from a stairwell on each floor, excluding only toilets or bathrooms. Since each of these fire doors needs to have the appropriate fixtures or furniture, to meet the required safety standard, anyone who wishes to meet the minimum safety standards needs fire door furniture.

How Does A Fire Door Work?

Fire doors are not intended to prevent a fire from spreading, but to slow the spread and minimise the amount of smoke travelling through the premises to allow for the safest possible evacuation. The most commonly available fire doors are FD30 or FD60, allowing for 30 or 60 minutes of evacuation time respectively- but these times are only applicable where the correct furniture has been added. Without the full set of fixtures, the burn time can be much, much, faster.

Fire doors should typically be kept shut at all times, or have a mechanism in place to allow them to be open during daily use but close immediately in the event of a fire. They should never be obstructed, or wedged open- being found to have done so can result in a sentence of up to two years imprisonment. In order to be certain that your fire door is in full compliance with the appropriate regulations, you should organise a full risk assessment to be carried out on your property. If you would like to schedule a risk assessment, please speak to one of our advisors on 0800 316 1469.

What Kinds Of Fire Door Furniture Are Available?

Here at the Fire Protection Shop, we offer a range of fire door furniture including fire door panic bolts and latches, fire door closers and retainers, and fire door padlocks, keys and key boxes. We also have a range of fire-protective mailbags and mailboxes, to keep your premises safe from arson attempts.

Fire door panic bolts

Fire door panic bolts are used to secure external fire doors, preventing unwanted entry but providing escape in the event of a fire. The panic bolts are equipped with a small hammer chained to the unit, which can be used to break the bolt instantly, unlocking the door. We also have a variety of accessories available for the bolts including keeper plates and replacement bolts.

Fire door panic latches

Panic latches are push-action latches which can be used to unlock any fire door in the event of a fire. At the Fire Protection Shop, we have a fantastic range of panic latches from Exidor, including reversible and push-button varieties.

Fire Door Padlocks and Keys

We have a range of fire door padlocks and keys available to provide secure storage for dry risers and other fire safety equipment. Firefighting personnel are equipped with the standard keys for these locks and will be able to unlock them in the event of an emergency.

Fire Door Key Boxes and Accessories

Fire door key boxes provide a safe place to store important keys in the event of an emergency. We supply the key boxes, and hammers to safely break the glass and enable access. We also have a selection of fire door seals, to prevent unauthorised use of fire doors without compromising access in an emergency. The seals have a break strength of 10.5kg, allowing them to be broken when needed without accidental or careless use.

Fire Door Closers

All fire doors with the exception of those to locked cupboards, or service ducts, should be fitted with a controlled door closing device. These allow the door to be closed from any angle and should be strong enough to overcome any potential resistance. We offer a selection of door closers, including battery packs for wireless door closers.

Fire Door Retainers

Fire door retainers are designed to keep fire doors open except in the event of an emergency. They tend to be fitted with electromagnets which release the door immediately upon the removal of power from the system. We have several brands of fire door retainer available, including heavy-duty retainers to deter vandalism, and weatherproof retainers suitable for even marine facilities.

Fire Protective Mailbags and Mail Boxes

Here at the Fire Protection Shop, we know that arson is a serious risk. Fire protective mail bags and boxes will provide protection for the most vulnerable part of your building to a would-be vandal or arsonist, capable of putting out small fires and withstanding even fireworks.

Conclusion

There are very few premises which are not expected to have at least one fire door installed. For everyone else, the fire doors and their furniture are a stringently enforced legal requirement. Available furniture includes door closers, retainers and panic bolts, all of which help to contribute to both the safety and security of your premises. Above all things, it pays to be safe.

If you have any queries about any of our fire door furniture, don't hesitate to contact our advisors on 0800 316 1469 or get in touch online.