As a building manager, owner, or homeowner, it is vital to be able to appreciate the differences between a standard door and fire-rated doorsets. Fire doors safeguard the occupants of a building against smoke and heat for a specified duration in the event of a fire. They can help save lives and property by retarding the fire and confining it to the affected parts of the building for as long as possible. Mikasa Doors offers some of the best fire-rated doorsets in India and the Region. In this article, we discuss some of the distinguishing features that characterise fire-rated doorsets. Let’s dig in.
Automatic Locking Devices
One way of recognizing a fire door is by checking to make sure it is fitted with an automatic locking device. These devices are mounted either on the ceiling, the wall behind the door or the floor under the door. It is a requirement that all fire-rated and smoke doors close automatically whenever an emergency alarm or fire alarm goes off. This is achievable thanks to a gadget known as the Magnamatic system. Once the alarm activates this system, it locks all the doors in place, preventing the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of the building.
Signage
Fire-rated doorsets also feature appropriate signage. Signage may vary from one country to another, with some requiring the more detailed signage whereas others are less strict on the amount of detail needed. All fire doors must display signage, making this a distinguishing feature that helps establish their authenticity.
Compliance Tags
All fire-rated doors need to have compliance tags showing additional information about their fire rating. Having a compliance tag in place indicates that the door has been installed and tested correctly. It also confirms that the door is able to perform according to the applicable fire-resistant rating. Compliance tags often include all the relevant information such as date of manufacture, time or fire rating, item serial number, name of certifier, as well as the name of the owner. These tags must always be displayed on your door, although they sometimes fall off and get lost. It is your mandate to ensure they get replaced straightaway to escape any compliance disputes.
Read Also: Non-Fire-Rated vs Fire-Rated Doorsets: Understanding the Difference
More Hinges
Fire-rated doorsets need to have a minimum of three hinges which are all fastened firmly. You must ensure all the hinges are in place and that none is either broken or missing as it may cause the hinges to malfunction and eventually prevent the door from working effectively. In case a fire emergency arises, poorly maintained fire-rated doorsets are more susceptible to failure.
Intumescent seals
Intumescent seals are made from a poor conductor of heat and will immediately swell when they come into contact with heat in the event of a fire emergency. After expanding, intumescent seals prevent the spread of flames and smoke by sealing the gap between the frame and the fire door. To confirm the presence of the seal, check the door and frame for a slim strip passing through the middle.
Get the best fire-rated door, today
These are some of the differences between fire-rated doorsets and normal doors. Mikasa Doors is your one-stop shop for premium quality wooden doorsets including fire-rated doorsets. Talk to our team at Mikasa today to discuss your requirements and get answers to all your questions. Simply fill out our Enquiry Form or email us at info@mikasadoors.com.