The 6 Classes of Fire

firesafedoors on October 21, 2022

Fires come in all shapes and sizes, ranging in level of severity. That’s why we have different methods for every class of fire.

Believe it or not, the world of fire safety is far more complex than pointing a hose at a fire. Fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat to thrive, and how a fire is best combated depends on its connection to these three elements.

In the interest of education and safety, today we’re learning about the 6 different classes of fire, and how to best combat each type.

There are six classes of fire: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, ‘Electrical’, and Class F.

Class A fires – Combustible materials

Class A fires begin when a flammable solid object catches fire. Common flammable solids include unprotected wood, papers, and fabrics. Curtains are a common starting place for Class A fires, so we’d recommend ensuring that any fires are kept far away from them. A water, foam, dry powder, or wet chemical fire extinguisher will be effective at combating Class A fires.

Class B fires – Flammable materials

Class B fires begin when a flammable material catches fire. Common flammable materials include petrol, paint, and turpentine. A foam, dry powder, or CO2 fire extinguisher will be effective at combating Class B fires.

Class C fires – Flammable gases

Class C fires begin when a flammable gas catches fire. Common flammable gases to catch fire include hydrogen, butane, or methane. A dry powder fire extinguisher will be your best option for combating Class C fires.

Class D fires – Combustible metals

Class D fires begin when a combustible metal catches fire. Common combustible metals include lithium, magnesium, and aluminium. A dry powder fire extinguisher will be your best option for combating Class D fires.

Electrical Fires – Electrical equipment

Electrical fires begin when a piece of electrical equipment catches fire. If the electrical item is removed, the fire will change class. Common electrical equipment that catches fire include computers and generators. A dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher will be effective at combating electrical fires.

Class F fires – Deep Fat Fryers

Class F fires are of an extremely high temperature, beginning with the misuse/neglect of a fat fryer. Wet chemical fire extinguishers will be your best option for combating Class F fires.

Have a fire door related enquiry? Regardless of which state in Australia you’re located, 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. 

Compliance Tags and Construction: Critical Fire Door Choices

firesafedoors on September 15, 2022

While choosing the right fire doors for your construction is critical, you should keep in mind that installing fire doors correctly is just as important.

Why Is the Right Fire Door Installation So Important?

The process of installing fire doors must be in compliance with the current national standards and requirements set out by the Building Code of Australia and the relevant Australian Standards (AS 1905.1 and AS1530.4).

Failure to adhere to these codes can result in penalties, as well as additional costs in having to upgrade or fix your doors or installation faults.

In addition to this, correctly installing fire doors is a significant component of your building’s fire safety plan and is essential in saving lives and preventing extensive damage in the event of a fire.

Before Installing Your Fire Doors, You Should:

•    Ensure that the individual or company you have hired to install the doors is fully licensed and qualified to carry out the fire safety installation and certification

•    Make sure that your fire doors are being installed in fire walls and that the type of door chosen will preserve the fire rating of that same wall

•    Double-check that all doors, door frames and hardware is on par with the tested/approved prototype for that door and its accessories

•    Confirm with your builder or installer that all your fire doors will be installed in accordance with the tested/approved construction and installation requirements for that door.

Installing Your Fire Doors

It is crucial that your fire door installation receives the required fire rating once installation is complete. If your installation does not meet the standards for certification, you will need to replace or re-install the door. Also be vary of the different types of fire doors – sliding fire doors, hinged fire doors and double action fire doors – and how installation may vary between them.

When installing fire doors, you must ensure that:

•    Your door leaf is being installed and hung the correct way up, particularly if the door has been pre-fitted with plates for hinges and locks
•    No more than 6mm is to be trimmed from any edge of the fire door; if you need to trim more than 6mm off the door, you will need to order a custom door to fit your specific sizing needs
•    Only 3mm of clearance must be evident between the custom fire door and the frame at the head and the stiles; if more than a 3mm gap exists, your fire door will be non-compliant
•    No more than 10mm and no less than 3mm of clearance must be evident between the fire door and finished floor; if more than a 10mm gap exists between the door and floor, your door will not comply with Australian standards
•    The sill of the opening must be made from a non-combustible product, such as concrete
•    The locks or closing mechanisms on each door have been fire tested and certified (remember, all fire doors must be self-latching); all furniture, handles and any other fixture fitted to the door leaf must be tested/ and certified locks must have a 127mm back set
•    No deadbolts (or similar locks) are installed on any fire door; this goes against the Building Codes of Australia, is contrary to the Australian Standards and will result in non-compliancey

Compliance Tags

Once your fire-rated doors and frames have been correctly installed, the final part of the installation process is to fix each of your doors with a Compliance Tag (see also – fire door signage).

•    A Compliance Tag confirms that the door it is attached to has been tested, installed correctly and that it is able to uphold the relevant fire-resistant rating
•    All Compliance Tags should include the necessary fire door information, such as: the manufacturer’s name, fire rating/resistant level, owner’s name, certifier’s name, the year the door was manufactured and the item serial number
•    A Compliance Tag must remain on the door for the life of the door; beware of using low quality adhesive that will cause the tag to become ‘unstuck’ over time – this can result in both non-compliance and can cause inspection/maintenance problems later on.

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. 

The Many Reasons You Need a Fire Door

firesafedoors on August 24, 2022

Fire doors are extremely important in protecting your buildings and the people that occupy them in the event of a fire. Here are several great reasons from Fire Safe Doors on why you need a proper fire-rated door for your buildings.

1. Safety

Fire rated doors are an intrinsic part of every Fire Protection model and serve to keep people safe if a fire occurs. Fire doors work to stop fire and smoke from spreading quickly and entering isolated areas, such as fire exits and corridors, where people could become trapped. In this way, fire doors are vital in saving lives.

2. Building Preservation

Fire rated doors are also vital in protecting a building, preventing fire (and smoke) from spreading throughout the structure and causing extensive and costly building damage.

Hinged fire doors and sliding fire doors also stop fire from transferring to adjacent buildings, properties or environments; if this were to occur, the effects could be devastating, causing further damage to other buildings and also harming lives, animals and vegetation.

3. Fire Management for Multi-Storey Buildings

In the incidence of a fire, specialised temperature-rise fire rated doors will also limit the transfer of heat from the fire, meaning the other side of the fire door won’t be affected.

These types of doors can be common in multi-storey buildings or buildings with ‘horizontal’ exits. This is important in upholding the safety of occupants and means they can reach fire exits safely, even when fire is located on the floor above them.

4. Australian Compliance

Australia has strict and specific legislation in regards to fire doors in all states.

As a designer, architect, builder, installer or owner, it is very important to ensure that all fire rated doors and frames comply with Australian (and state) regulations in relation to thickness, material, framing, configuration, entry/exit requirements and door signage.

To do so means gaining the right certificates, avoiding serious penalties and generally providing a safe and reliable environment for your clients/occupants.

If you are unsure about the fire door regulations in your state, consult the Australian Building Codes Board or contact FSE Special Purpose Doors.

5. Easy Exits

Fire doors also make it easy for people to escape a building if a fire occurs. All doors should be clearly marked with the correct signage, making it simple for people to identify where to go in the event of a fire.

6. Comprehensive Fire Protection

Fire rated doors are just one component of a comprehensive fire protection plan that you should adopt for all of your buildings. Fire exits are extremely important in protecting both people and the building and it is crucial that the right fire rated doors contribute significantly to your protection system.

The other elements of your fire protection plan can include smoke and fire alarms (automatic/manual), fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire exit/evacuation maps and the correct fire door signage. Owners should also conduct fire/First-Aid training and drills and regular internal audits to ensure fire exits remain clear at all times.

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. 

The 5 Most Common Causes of Workplace Fires

firesafedoors on July 13, 2022

A workplace fire is the last thing you want to think about during your busy workday, but to keep yourself and your colleagues safe, it is important to consider the common causes of workplace fires.

Electrical Fire

With the amount of technology and electronic equipment lying around in any workplace, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that electricity is one of the most common causes of workplace fires.

To reduce the risk posed by electricity in your office, ensure all electrical work is performed by a trained electrician, and never overload a power socket.

Credit: CoWomen

Clutter

If you’ve ever seen a pile of paper burn, you’d understand exactly why clutter is on this list. If every desk in your workplace is stacked with bit of paper and post-it notes, the office won’t stand a chance in the event of a fire.

The best way to avoid this risk is by striving to be a paper-free office. Not only is this better for the environment, but it could be the difference between losing everything, and losing nothing in a blaze.

Flammable Liquids

Some workplaces will hold more flammable liquids than others, but pretty much every office has a cleaning cupboard, which is most likely where you would find the products in question.

Luckily, the government has regulations regarding flammable liquids which, if followed, should prevent fire. According to these guidelines, liquids with a flashpoint of 93°C or less should be stored in a cool, dry place, in a tightly sealed container.

Human Error

All it really takes to start a fire is one person doing something wrong. It could be as simple as overloading a powerpoint. To prevent this, ensure every member of your workplace has a basic understanding of fire safety at a minimum.

You don’t need to train the entire office to be a fire warden, but it is important that they understand the hazards that could lead to a fire, and what to do if they see one.

Negligence

If an employee neglects to follow their fire safety training, or general common sense, they can easily put their workplace at risk of fire.

From smoking indoors, to failing to check if they remembered to turn the oven off, there are multiple examples of negligence that could cause a fire. By placing friendly reminder signs around the workplace, you can prevent some instances of neglect, but overall, this is in the hands of your employees and coworkers.

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. 

The Science Behind Fire

firesafedoors on June 30, 2022

We see fire almost every single day, whether you’re cooking dinner, lighting a candle, or simply trying to stay warm. But how much do you know about the science behind fire?

At Fire Safe Doors, we’re experts in fire protection. But in order to protect against something, first you need to understand it.

Fire is often mistaken as a thing rather than an event. It’s often referred to as one of the four main elements, along with air, earth, and water. But fire isn’t actually an element at all.

Credit: Duong Nhan

Fire is the result of a chemical reaction between heat, oxygen and fuel, which means it can be extinguished by starving the flame of one of these components.

The colour of a flame corresponds to the amount of oxygen the fire has access to, and the more oxygen there is, the hotter the flame. Low-oxygen fires often emit a yellow flame, and on the other end of the scale, fires that are high in oxygen appear bright blue.

As far as scientists are aware, Earth is the only planet in the universe that has enough oxygen for fire to be able to burn.

Fire spreads faster than you might think, taking less than 30 seconds for a small flame to become out of control. This is why it is necessary to never leave a flame, or heater unattended.

Some materials are better fuels for fires than others due to a combination of factors. But in general, fires spread through houses quicker than they did about thirty years ago due to the quantity of cheaper, synthetic materials used in furniture and furnishings.

We hope you’ll never need a fire door, but install ing one is an absolute necessity to slow the spread of a fire as much as possible.

As you might expect, the majority of household fires start in the kitchen, which can almost always be extinguished with a fire blanket if you notice it quickly enough. This is why you should learn how to use a fire blanket and install one in an easily accessible area of your kitchen.

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. 

How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

firesafedoors on June 15, 2022

We all know what a fire extinguisher is, but when push comes to shove, would you know how to put out a fire with one?

According to FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association), fire extinguishers put out approximately 80% of fires. That’s no small achievement! So it’s well worth learning how to operate them now, rather than during a fire.

There are only four main steps involved with correctly using a fire extinguisher, and thanks to Fire NSW, these steps have been condensed into a convenient acronym, PASS.

Firemen
Credit: Pixabay

Pull (Pin)

To prepare a fire extinguisher for use, you will first have to remove the safety pin, located at the top of the device. The pin stops the handle from being pressed, so you don’t accidentally use the extinguisher. Once the pin has been removed, give the device a quick test spray to ensure it is operational, and to get a gauge for the extinguisher’s range.

Aim

Standing at a safe distance, aim the extinguisher towards the base of the fire, because this is where the flame’s fuel is.

Squeeze

Squeeze the handles together to operate the extinguisher. If the discharge from the device is not hitting the base of the flame, correct your aim.

Sweep

Make a sweeping motion with the nozzle of the extinguisher to ensure the entirety of the the flame’s base is being covered by the extinguishing agent. If you’re attempting to put out a Class A fire, once the flame has been extinguished, probe the remains for smouldering that could reignite the fire and spray them once more.

When extinguishing a fire, it is recommended that you do so in pairs (provided there are people available to help.)

It is important to familiarise yourself with the location of the fire extinguishers in your home, and in your workplace, so you don’t lose precious seconds searching for the device in the event of a fire.

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. 

What Should You Do In A Workplace Fire?

firesafedoors on March 24, 2022

Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself caught in a workplace fire, but it’s important to know what to do in case of an emergency.

In the unlikely event that you are in an office fire, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm. If you can avoid panic, everything else becomes easier.

Fire NSW have developed an acronym that is easy to remember in the event of a workplace fire, RACE.

Fire extinguishers
Credit: Marcelo Moreira

Rescue

If it is safe to do so, rescue anyone in the building who may struggle to exit the building. Prioritise those in immediate danger, or anyone who may have trouble escaping e.g. the elderly, anyone with a disability.

Alarm

If fire alarms have not properly sounded, or there are parts of the building that have not been notified, it is important to ensure the entire building is aware of the fire.

The best way to do this is by notifying the staff member in charge and manually setting off any accessible alarms. Once that has been done, call the fire brigade as soon as possible on ‘000’.

Contain

If it is safe to do so, try to contain the fire as much as possible by closing the doors and windows that will stop it from spreading. It is important to know which doors in your workplace are fire safe, so you can prioritise closing them.

Extinguish

If you know how to use a fire extinguisher, and it won’t put you in unnecessary danger, use your workplace’s firefighting equipment to extinguish as much of the fire as possible.

Once you have rescued, alarmed, contained, and extinguished, you should:

  • Follow instructions given by your Fire Warden
  • Prepare to evacuate the building
  • Leave the lights on for visibility
  • Save any company records if it is safe to do so

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.