fire rated doors

February 28, 2023 By easyseo fire rated doors 0 Comments

Fire rated doors: FD30, FD60, FD90 and FD120

There are four different Fire Door Ratings: FD30, FD60, FD90 or FD120 and, in this blog post, we’ll explain all you need to know about them and why they’re so important.

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An extra five minutes to escape

The addition of fire rated doors in properties with multiple occupants can give people up to five extra minutes to escape from the building in the event of a fire. That doesn’t sound like much but every second really does count in these life-threatening situations.

We have fitted thousands of doors with certain fire door ratings in properties across Europe and have developed a wide variety of options to suit every type of project from social housing through to luxury apartment complexes. All of these particular doors have one thing in common: they will always meet, and often exceed, the toughest specifications and standards.

Save lives with a door the has a fire door rating

Installing the correct fire door is a matter of life and death. Fire doors are installed specifically to save lives and protect property should a fire occur. Their task is simple but their detail is a little more complex, so we’ve compiled this article to explain both FD30 and FD60 fire doors to help you choose the correct one.

In the first instance, you must always consult the UK’s national Building Regulations (Part B refers directly to fire safety and is split into domestic and non-domestic buildings) and understand the specific requirements of fire doors in relation to where they are located within a property or building.

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Slow the spread of a fire

Fire doors, for example, are commonly used to divide a building into sections with the aim of slowing the spread of a fire. If a fire can be successfully decelerated this gives any individuals in the building to quickly and safely exit the premises. Studying the relevant Building Regulations will provide you with the information you need to achieve the fire safety requirements of your building.

It is worth noting that apartments and flats are classed as non-domestic buildings and, therefore, require a higher level of fire safety than standard, domestic homes. As such, we always recommend installing FD60 doors in flats and apartment buildings. More on this below!

What is an FD30 and FD60 fire door?

Fire doors are available in several ‘fire door ratings’ and are commonly used in hallways or as front doors in apartment blocks. In this article, we will concentrate on FD30 and FD60 fire doors.

An FD30 rated fire door means that the door has been tested to withstand fire for up to 30 minutes. One that carries an FD60 rating means it has been tested to withstand fire for up to 60 minutes.

Here at Secure House, we have a range of FD30 and FD60 doors that satisfy UK Building Regulations Part B. Not only are our fire doors totally fit for purpose, they are also aesthetically pleasing so there is no design compromise. We also have a range of burglary resistant and bulletproof RC3 and RC4 fire doors which can include security glazing such as PB6 axe resistant glass.

All of our fire doors are available as either singles or doubles and we can also provide a wide selection hardware for any of the doors such as panic exit devices and oversize door handles for easy operation.

Need a steel security door that’s also fire rated?

Look no further, you’ve found it! We have a fantastic range with options including 30, 45, 60 & 90 minute fire rated doors, right up several that offer a 120 minute fire rating. All of the doors are also either RC3 or RC4 security rated. Here are a few examples… For more details, call us or pop into our showroom where we’ll be more than happy to help!

At Secure House, there is never any compromise on safety or design: we’re all about keeping people, property and assets as safe as possible. So, whether you’re a landlord, a social housing provider, an architect or an apartment owner looking to further enhance the fire safety and security credentials of your property, call us to discuss how you can gain those extra five minutes when you need them the most.

What are the five fire safety tips?

When it comes to the five fire safety tips associated with security doors and windows, here at Secure House, we are always available to provide expert advice based on our many years’ experience. Thanks to working with a wide variety of commercial and residential property clients on both small- and large-scale projects.

From fire escapes to fire doors, there are many different ways in which a building can benefit from enhancements to fire safety. In order to provide a guide for anyone wanting to do this, we have compiled our top five fire safety tips. Read on to find out how you can further improve or include an increased level of fire safety.

Check our fire proof doors here ->

Fire safety starts with a fire escape door

A fire escape door or fire exit door is a fundamental component of both commercial and communal residential buildings. If there is a fire inside the building, which may have hundreds or thousands of people in it, there must legally be a clear route through the building to the final exit. The door at the exit (or exits as there are often multiple fire exits) must be very simple and quick to open in the event of an emergency. Fire escape doors usually open straight into to an outside space.

At the same time, there is a high level of security required by a fire escape door in order to safeguard occupants from intruders externally. These doors can be either steel or glazed, they must always be accessible from inside but it is imperative that they can be opened easily should there be a fire in the building.

Include a panic bar or emergency push pad for even easier opening

The fire escape doors that we install for clients often include a panic bar or emergency push pad to make them even easier to open. All that is required is to push down on the handle and the door will open outwards. Adding a door that has this type of handle is one of our top tips when it comes to selecting a fire escape door. It also enhances the security level of the door.

Fire doors can save lives

In comparison to fire escape doors, fire doors are more often than not installed internally in properties. The objective of a fire door is to prevent fire and smoke entering into specific areas to allow people to safely exit the building in the event of a fire.

Certified fire doors are rated according to the fire and smoke resistance they provide. This is called the FD rating. So, when it is closed, an FD30 fire door will provide up to 30 minutes protection against fire and smoke. And an FD60 door up to 60 minutes protection.

Maintain and test regularly

Testing and maintenance of both fire escape and fire doors is just as important as the testing and maintenance of escape routes. It is vital that a scheduled maintenance programme is in place along with periodic servicing and checks on all fire safety fixtures and fittings.

Call the fire brigade

Our final fire safety tip is to always call the fire brigade in the event of a fire or a suspected fire. Even if you think someone else may have already done so, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. The quicker emergency services arrive on site, the better.

If you’d like to find out more about our range of fire escape doors and fire doors, or to arrange a site consultation, please contact any of the Secure House team on 0207 859 4207 [email protected] and we can discuss your specific requirements.