Busting 5 Common Myths About Fire Proof Doors

firesafedoors on March 30, 2022

As fire season approaches in Australia, we debunk some of the myths about installing and effectively using fire doors.

Whether your home or office is already equipped with a fire door, or whether you’re looking to have one installed, it is important to distinguish between truths and myths about fire doors.

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about fire proof doors.

Secure door
Credit: Pixabay

Myth 1 – Painting a regular door with flameproof paint makes it a fire door.

Fire doors have special certifications that make them surface resistant against flames. Sure, flameproof paint will slightly slow down how quickly the door catches alight, but only a fire door will effectively stop the spread of the flame

Myth 2 – The gap between the door and frame must be airtight

The gap between a fire door and its frame do not have to be completely airtight, but it should fit as snug as possibly to limit the amount of smoke and toxic fumes that can pass through the door. The gaps should be no larger than 3mm around the frame and less than 8mm underneath.

Myth 3 – Installing large doorstops will make a door fireproof.

This is one of the most common misconceptions about fire doors. Installing large doorstops will stop some of the smoke and toxic fumes from travelling into the next room, however the door will still quickly burn down and allow the fire, and fumes to engulf the room.

Myth 4 – You can install a fire door yourself.

It doesn’t matter if your brother’s a carpenter and you’ve seen him install a door once or twice. Fire doors must be installed by a certified professional to ensure they will function effectively in the event of a fire. Get in contact with Fire Safe Doors to organise a hassle-free installation today.

Myth 5 – Fire doors are ugly.

Fire doors used to be unattractive, but now you find fire doors that will suit pretty much any interior with an abundance of designs available on the market.

Have a fire door related enquiry? We’re happy to help. Contact Fire Safe Doors at [email protected] or call (02) 9070 0732, and we’ll work through a plan for your needs. 

5 Reasons To Install A Fire Door

firesafedoors on February 7, 2022

The reasons to install a fire door go well beyond legal and safety requirements. Here’s why fire doors are worth introducing to your building.

To keep occupants safe

Beginning with the obvious, fire doors save lives. The thought of being trapped inside a burning building is frightful, and anything that can be done to prevent such an occurrence should be undertaken.

The most effective measure that can be taken to prevent this occurrence is a fire door. Fire doors prevent fires and smoke from spreading rapidly, giving occupants ample time to escape the hazard. All functioning fire protection models require at least one fire door to be effective.

To comply with legal standards

Fire Doors aren’t only a moral exercise. They’re a legal one, too.

The components and measurements of all our fire doors are tested to meet relevant building codes to ensure building inspections don’t result in any hefty penalties. Framing, thickness, configuration, size, material and more all come together to make your door a legally sound aspect of your fire protection plan. For example, appropriate fire door signage is just one of the Building Codes met to ensure an installation is ready for use.

You can read the complete Building Codes of Australia here.

Image: Nascon Burwood

To soundproof

Did you know that fire doors can be designed to be soundproof? If you let us know, we can install a fire door tailored to your acoustic requirements. So, instead of spending all your money on acoustic panelling and soundproofing materials, why not install a fire door and kill two birds with one stone?

Acoustic seals installed on fire doors won’t just prevent noise spread and fires. They also limit air draft, so you could end up saving money on your air conditioning bill too!

To preserve your building

A fire door doesn’t just protect people. It protects the building itself. A fire spread throughout your building will cause significantly less damage if fire doors are installed in the right places, saving you from costly building repairs. For example, if you install a fire door in between two hallways, you may only have to rebuild one section of your building instead of all of it.

Preserving your building is well worth the investment, particularly if your building has heritage and has been designed to last a long time. Many older design materials cannot be easily replaced, so protecting these features should be a clear priority.

To improve your fire protection plan

A fire protection plan involves a set of instructions for building occupants to follow in the case of a fire. A solid plan should include smoke and fire alarms, fire extinguishers or hoses on all floors, a clear map outlining evacuation routes, and regular practices of the planned procedure. Still, even if your occupants understand how to operate said equipment and escape the premises efficiently, your chances of survival are significantly limited without installing a fire door.

Think of installing a fire door as the keystone to your fire protection plan. Without it, fire will spread throughout the building much quicker, making the event of an evacuation less than optimal.

Have a fire door related enquiry? We’re happy to help. Contact Fire Safe Doors at [email protected] or call (02) 9070 0732, and we’ll work through a plan for your needs. 

A Glossary Of Fire Door Terminology

firesafedoors on January 24, 2022

To keep you in the know during the fire door installation process, here are some terms and abbreviations worth understanding.

With every trade, comes a truckload of new terminology, vernacular, jargon, dialect – whatever you want to call it. We’re afraid the world of fire doors is no exception. Installers and inspectors alike will speak with abbreviations and refer to specific measurements when addressing fire doors, so its more than reasonable to ask for clarifications if you’re not sure what they mean.

However, if you’d like to be in the know and learn more about the language that circles the fire door trade, we’ve compiled a list of the most used terminology. So, next time your fire door installer refers to an FD30, you’ll know exactly what they mean. Let’s begin.

Architrave – The moulded strips that go in between the door frame edges and the wall. Covers any remaining gaps.

Bespoke – Customised for specific needs. This term is not exclusive to fire door terminology.

AS1905 – Refers to the fire door building codes laid out by the Australian Government, in both the manufacturing and installation processes.

Core – The designated material that makes up the body of the door.

Doorset – The assembly of items that make up a fire door, including the door leaf, frame, panels and hardware.

Door Leaf – The section of the door responsible for swinging open and shut.

Double leaf – Double door

Door Size – Measured in the following order: height (mm) x width (mm) x thickness (mm).

Intumescent – Intumescent means swells when heated. So, intumescent strips will expand and block a fire due to the temperature increase.

Fire Rated – A verified product that meets the relevant codes and standards, and resists a fire for the predetermined period of time (eg. 45 minutes)

FRL – Fire Rated Level. The standard grading period used by the Building Codes of Australia to refer to the structural adequacy, integrity, and insulation of a fire door. The fire rated level is typically measured in minutes.

Frame Profile – Used to generically describe the cross-section of a frame.

Hung Door – The leaf, hinges and frame all assembled

Trim Size – The area that has been prepared (cut out) for a fire door installation.

Veneer – The coat/finish added to doors to create a smooth texture. Typically applied to coarse woods for added sheen + to avoid splinters.

Have a fire door related enquiry? We’re happy to help. Contact Fire Safe Doors at [email protected] or call (02) 9070 0732, and we’ll work through a plan for your needs.