Fire is something that, for thousands of years, has posed a threat to property and people. Over the last century, however, a number of innovations have helped to protect us against the spread of fire.
Among the most important of these innovations is the fire door. Not to be confused with the fire escape, this is a kind of heavy door that’s designed to contain fire, and to buy time for the fire brigade to turn up and extinguish it.
The best fire doors, from BWF-certified manufacturers, can contain a fire for at least half an hour. This can make an enormous difference when it comes to saving the building, and saving the people inside.
Over the years, fire doors have become more sophisticated and effective. Let’s consider how they’ve done this.
Smart fire doors: Integrating technology for enhanced safety
If a fire door is left open, then it can’t do its job. For this reason, all fire doors are self-closing. It’s also now possible to close a door remotely. This means that a modern smart building, with interconnected sensors and alarms, can automatically send the signal that all of the fire doors should be closed.
Sustainable materials: Eco-friendly fire door solutions
Fire doors need to be made from the right materials to be effective. But they’ll also need to abide by environmental regulations, and any relevant green building rules.
The best modern fire doors are made from non-flammable, recycled material. They’re also treated to a low-emission finish. Obviously, fire doors shouldn’t contain flammable material, like timber. But it’s also important that the materials used don’t emit any toxic fumes as the door does its job.
Fortunately, modern fire doors are made from eco-friendly materials that repel fire without creating additional health hazards.
Compliance and certification: Navigating UK fire safety standards
In the UK, there are many different fire safety regulations to consider, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which came about after the Grenfell Tower Fire. The main legislation to consider in England and Wales is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which ensures that individuals are appointed to take responsibility for fire safety in any non-domestic premises.
The rules state that fire doors should be self-closing and regularly maintained. They should have small gaps around the sides, and be rated by resistance (FD30, for example, indicates thirty minutes of resistance).
Fire door maintenance and inspection technologies
Fire doors are like any other piece of safety equipment. To be effective, they’ll need to be periodically maintained. An automated inspection system can issue instructions to human experts, who can then conduct their inspection, and carry out any necessary maintenance. A log of the maintenance can be created, which can help the responsible organisation to demonstrate that they’re on the right side of the regulations.
Future trends in fire door technology
What does the future hold for this technology? There have been a number of exciting developments in material science, which suggest that the insulating performance of these doors will improve. Designs are also becoming more flexible and modularised, meaning that they can increasingly be installed into even the most awkward spaces!
