Fire doors vs smoke doors – spot the difference

firesafedoors on August 11, 2022

Fire doors and smoke doors offer protective barriers during fires, but in different ways. How can you tell which is which?

When installed and monitored effectively, quality-built fire doors and smoke doors offer crucial barrier protection in the event of building fires. However, the two doors are designed to protect buildings and residents in different ways.

For starters, smoke doors are built to block out smoke, as well as flammable items. On the other hand, fire doors are built to slow down and prevent the spread of flames by keeping them partitioned. For those of you who may be unaware of their different characteristics, it can be hard to tell which is which. Here are three elements to look out for.

fire doors vs smoke doors

1. Check the certification label

To comply with fire safety regulations, fire doors and smoke doors must be clearly labelled to aid with differentiation. Check for the certification label, which would likely be on the top corner of the door leaf.

 

2. Identify the different materials

Smoke doors generally comprise wood, steel and aluminium. They’re designed to last only a certain amount of time, and may need more maintenance. Fire doors, however, comprise materials that are flame-resistant, so that they maintain durability and effectiveness for longer periods of time.

 

3. Spot the protection features

Smoke doors are fitted with specialty seals. These seals are designed to protect people by activating as soon as a smoke detector goes off. Fire doors on the other hand are fitted with different features, such as a fire-resistant sealant, which is designed to keep the door shut during a fire, to prevent the flames from spreading further across the building.

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. 

Fire-proofing your home in four steps

firesafedoors on August 3, 2022

As we approach the warmer months, fire-proofing your home becomes more and more crucial, for the safety of you and your property.

Fire-proofing your home can be tricky if you don’t know where to start, so we’ve rounded up six simple steps you can take to significantly decrease the risk of a fire starting in or around your property.

Here’s what you can do to keep yourself, your home and your family safe this upcoming summer, using these handy tips from fire-proofing experts.

1. Clean around your property

Fire protection often begins outside the home. If your property is surrounded by dry grass, dead trees, foliage or leaf litter, we strongly advise clearing this up. This is due to the fact that these elements can act as fuel for a fire. So prior to bush fire season commencing in Australia, it would be a good idea to tidy up the yard, and make certain that any flammable materials are contained in fireproof containers.

2. Install a fire safe door

Fire doors are specially made with elements that are highly fire-resistant, and help slow down the spread of flames and smoke, should a fire occur. Fire safe doors are a necessary implementation in buildings with three floors or more.

Here at Fire Safe Doors, we stringently test each door leaf, door hardware and door frame, to make sure the correct fire rating level has been obtained. We also regularly inspect our fire safe door fittings, to ensure their ongoing compliance with Australian Standards.

Fire doors must be self-closing and self-latching. They should never be obstructed or held open as they need to be closed in order to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Don’t hesitate to contact us about how we can assist you with the installation of a fire safe door today. They can be a crucial, life-saving addition to any residential building, as they substantially decrease damage rates, and allow the fire brigade more time to attend to on-site dangers.

3. Garden sprinkler systems

If you live in an area that experiences a higher bushfire risk, installing sprinkler systems around your home can be useful in preventing a house fire from occurring. They can be installed not only in your garden, but also on your roof. This allows the sprinklers to direct water onto the building itself, helping prevent a house fire from occurring due to heat or embers.

4. Gutter guards

Stop hazardous materials, such as leaves and other kinds of foliage, from gathering in your gutters. Gutter guards are a great solution for this. They can comprise of wire mesh, or other kinds of essential materials. Once fitted over your gutters, they enable the prevention of debris build-up.

If you give us a call at Fire Safe Doors, we can discuss installing a fire-proof gutter guard at your home, to protect you and your loved ones this summer.

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. 

Fire Rated Glazing, Explained

firesafedoors on June 9, 2022

Fire Rated Glazing is an ideal option for environments that need visibility as well as fire protection.

When we think of a fire door, we probably don’t think of a wide glass door. That’s because the majority of fire doors are built with steel and timber, not to mention the vermiculate core board, responsible for keeping the whole design insulant.

However, sometimes, for aesthetic or functional reasons, a solid material just won’t cut it. That’s where fire-rated glazing comes in. Let’s talk about how it works, its uses, and when to opt for the protective glaze.

How it works

The most important function to examine when discussing fire-rated glazing is its two different specifications; fire-protective, and fire-resistive.

Fire-protective glazing will prevent smoke and fire from spreading, however, it will not combat heat transfer. This means that the glass on the other side will still be dangerous to touch, and objects on the other side of the fire will still heat up – people included. If you’ve ever stood close to a campfire you’ll know just how fierce that heat can be.

On the other hand, fire-resistive glazing will prevent smoke and fire from spreading as well as conducting heat. This means the high temperature will be less easily transferred to the opposing room. This radiant heat is contained via a ‘fire-resistive assembly’, which means the multiple layers of glass are separated with interlayers, designed to resist heat.

Which type of glazing does my building need?

Obviously, fire-resistive glazing is the most optimum glaze to achieve the ultimate, longest-lasting fire protection. That being said, your building may already have enough fire-safety exits or measurements in place for it to pass the legal requirements without the premium glaze. Of course, you can still opt for the fire-resistive glazing if you’d like, but it may not be necessary depending on your building’s situation.

It’s crucial that you double-check with your installer about which type of glaze is required for your building to stay up to the relevant fire building codes, of which there are many. Whatever glaze your building requires must be based on these codes. We’ll be happy to inform you further through an inspection or installation

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. 

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. 

Learning The World Of Fire Doors

firesafedoors on December 21, 2021

Fire Doors are a quintessential aspect of building design and construction. They protect establishments, and more importantly, the people inside them.

Fire Doors have become a safety staple for workplaces, eateries, halls, schools, and establishments everywhere. In the case of a fire, these doors are your ultimate protection until help arrives.

In short, fire doors save lives. Let’s run through the basics of fire doors, from application to aesthetics, to regulations.

What are Fire Doors?

Fire Door is short for a fire-rated door set. The door leaf, door frame, locks, handles and other elements all function together to create the most effective fire-resistant door possible. Fire Doors are also known as passive fire protection devices, meaning that they will serve their purpose without the need for human assistance if installed correctly.

Fire Doors have a range of classifications, depending on their strength. They can range from 30 minutes of withholding fire and smoke all the way to up to 2 hours of prevention. The most common types are the 

  • Sale Occupancy Unit Fire Rating Level -/60/30 (one hour of prevention)
  • Common Property Fire Door -/120/30 (two hours of prevention)

Installation

Fire doors can’t be installed by anyone with a toolbox and a good attitude. The stakes are too high. For fire doors to meet government compliance standards and ensure maximum safety, they must be installed by qualified individuals. This includes qualified fire-door installers (us), and some carpenters and buildings. Always double check your installer has the credentials for the job so you don’t have to overspend on a redo.

Image: Dasco Maroubra

Fire Door Materials

While fire doors are there to keep people safe, they are also widely customisable for aesthetic purposes. Heritage buildings, modern workplaces and more all require fire doors with unique materials to match the aesthetic qualities of the buildings. With the right installer, it’s possible to match the fire door to the building without sacrificing functionality. Common types of fire doors include

  • Glass (with fire-rated glazing)
  • Metal Sheeting
  • Wood Veneer

Maintenance and Regulations

You’ll need to have your fire doors inspected half-yearly or annually, depending on the door type. This is a must-do to comply with the strict Building Code of Australia. If your fire doors were installed before the 1990s, it’s definitely worth checking that they weren’t constructed with thermal insulation (aka, asbestos). If so, they’ll need to be removed by a qualified asbestos remover, then replaced. It is the role of the building manager to ensure all fire doors and inspections are up to scratch.

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.