People might not pay a lot of attention to commercial fire doors in an office building, school or a store. But in an advent of fire, there is no denying that this overlooked aspect can either save lives or be the reason behind the increased death toll.
Commercial fire doors are designed to prevent fire from spreading to other parts of the building, saving lives and your valuable property.
They are required by the law, and most importantly, your insurance could depend on it.
Types of Fire Doors
There are a variety of fire doors, each with its own ratings and material. Rating is based on the duration the door resists a fire. The rating requirements vary from state to state.
Things You Should Be Looking At
When investing in a fire door, make sure it comes with a label that has these included:
- The Door Manufacturer
- Duration the door is expected to resist the fire
- Temperature rise rating
- Whether the exit is equipped with any hardware for emergencies
The label could include additional things depending on the requirements of the law.
Inspection
Fire doors are required to be inspected once every year by a local fire department representative. As experts we advise our clients to get their fire doors serviced at least once a year. These service records will go in your Fire Risk Assessment books, and you can show them to the inspector.
Maintenance
By simply getting a service and inspection, you are not relieved of your duty to mitigate risks. There are some other general directions that you should follow:
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Don’t leave the door open
An open fire door will not be able to block fire in case of a hazard. This ultimately defeats the purpose of having a fire door.
However, there are some companies that have multiple fire doors, usually in between departments, that remain open throughout the working hours. In that case, make sure you have automated door system for disaster prevention.
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Don’t barricade the door
Afraid that someone might sneak in or sneak out of the office, some companies choose to lock the fire exit or barricade it completely.
Locking the door may be fine if it unlocks by an automated door system in case of emergencies, but barricading the door with chains or manual locks could lead to loss of lives.
It may also lead to panic, in the event of evacuation, which is another safety hazard.
How Do You Find The Right Fire Door?
Since there are so many varieties of fire doors available, it is always advisable to consult a professional door installation service. The choice of your door will also depend on whether it is for internal or external use; whether you want to have it automated, or just use it manually.
If you are in San Diego County, CA and are looking for professional consultation, get in touch with us at Austin Doors. We are a door installation company with years of experience and are helping hundreds of customers keep up their safety standards.
