Facts You Need to Know About Fire doors

The main reason why fire doors need to be installed in buildings is, of course, to save lives in the event of a fire. In the North Coast Region, which includes Brisbane up to Wide Bay Burnett, there have been 343 residential fires from 2009-2014, and many lives have been lost in the process. This puts much importance in installing fire doors and the assurance that it fulfils its function to ensure the safety of the occupants in a building. Making sure you purchase the right fire door, and ensure its proper instalment in your building is critical.

There is a wide array of fire doors to choose from with Brisbane fire doors. They can differ from design and functionality. There are those that have different glass windows, different door types, and different fire-resistance ratings. The most popular kind of fire door with the fire-resistance rating ‘FD30’, which means it will last 30 minutes in a fire before it undergoes structural decomposition. ‘FD60’ fire doors are, most often than not, used in commercial situations.

Wherever a fire might start, it is advisable to install a fire door. Examples are doors leading from a kitchen, a lounge, a fireplace and TV, or rooms with electrical equipment or flammable substances or things.

Building rules for domestic properties specify where fire doors should be used. An example is a 2-storey house that has a door leading from an integral garage into the house. This door must be a fire door.

Newly built or renovated properties with 3 storeys or more (including loft conversions), every habitable room off the stairwell must be installed with FD30 fire doors.

The planning permission are issued by local councils, and the Building Control Officers are responsible for policing building regulations.

As a fact, the best point person for fire door regulations and requirements is the architect.
When it comes to commercial properties, the regulations are vastly different. It is extremely rare for commercial buildings in Brisbane to have no fire doors at all.

The thickness of fire doors differs according to their fire-resistance ratings. FD30 fire doors are commonly 45mm thick, while FD60 fire doors are usually 54mm thick. However, there are fire doors that are specially constructed to withstand fire for 4 hours or more.

Inside a fire door is a solid core construction of particleboard, flaxboard, chipboard, solid timber, etc. The construction of a fire door varies from the framing. Around the core, Some have a timber framing, others have a lipping around the core with a veneer on top. Some even have a plywood, and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) facing glued to the core without lippings. However, there is no ideal construction method. What’s important is the correct fire rating is attained.

Intumescent strips are fitted in a fire door, which, when subjected to heat, expand and seal the gab between the door edge and frame. These seals can be fitted by Brisbane fire doors within the door frame.

Standards must be met regarding the material of the door frame, like softwood or hardwood; as well as the section sizes. Additionally, ironmongery must also comply with individual tests to see if it complies to fitness purpose standards.

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Brisbane Fire Doors

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