Passive Fire Learning Centre
Understanding Fire Doors
Learn how fire doors protect escape routes, contain smoke and fire, and help maintain building fire compartmentation.
Fire Doors
One Of The Most Important Passive Fire Systems
Fire doors are designed to help contain fire and smoke within fire compartments and protect escape routes.
They are a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection system and must be properly maintained to function correctly during a fire.
Even small defects can affect the performance of a fire door and reduce its ability to contain smoke and fire.
Fire Door Components
Key Fire Door Features
Common Defects
Typical Fire Door Issues
Door Gaps & Smoke Seals
Why Small Gaps Matter
Excessive gaps around fire doors can allow smoke and hot gases to spread rapidly through a building during a fire.
Smoke seals and threshold seals help limit smoke movement and maintain the effectiveness of the fire compartment.
Missing or damaged smoke seals are one of the most common defects identified during fire door inspections.
Inspection & Maintenance
Maintaining Fire Door Compliance
Fire doors should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they remain compliant and functional.
Inspections typically include: door gaps, smoke seals, self-closing devices, hardware, damage, labels and overall condition.
Proper documentation and maintenance records are important for ongoing compliance management.
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