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.
Fire doors come in single leaf and double leaf configurations. Which type is best to install in your building project?
There are many different types of fire doors. Today, we will be reviewing the functionality and purpose of single leaf and double leaf doors, which are common configurations. When manufactured, installed and maintained properly, both fire door types can provide effective protection in the event of a fire emergency. However, you may be wondering, which door configuration would be most appropriate for your particular property or building project?
Here at Fire Safe Doors, we specialise in all things fire door-related, from the manufacturing, installation and testing, to the assessment and upgrading of both fire-rated and non-fire-rated doors. Today, we will be providing you with some key information on single leaf and double leaf fire doors, so that you can make an informed decision on which type of door would meet your fire safety and logistical requirements best.
1. Single Leaf Fire Doors
Put simply, a door leaf is a single, free-moving panel of a door. A single leaf fire door comprises one panel that is situated inside the door frame when closed. Single leaf fire doors are ideal for smaller spaces that incur less foot traffic.
This type of door configuration is commonly seen in areas such as stairwells of apartments and hotels, office buildings, stores, and some residential properties. As outlined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA), single leaf fire doors must be in compliance with what is specified in the code AS 1905.1.
2. Double Leaf Fire Doors
A double leaf fire door consists of two panels, both of which open outward, at their centre meeting point, in a swinging motion. They are ideal for larger spaces and buildings with high foot traffic, due to their two-way swing.
This type of fire door configuration is commonly seen in hospitals, shopping centres, schools, warehouses and other large spaces. As outlined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA), double leaf fire doors must be in compliance with what is specified in the codes AS1530 and AS1905.
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 door inspections are a crucial safety measure and legal requirement for commercial, industrial and residential properties. How often should they be conducted and what do they entail?
Over time, certain components of fire doors may deteriorate, get damaged or become outdated, thus requiring maintenance, repair or replacement. If the necessary improvements are not made to these doors, it can compromise their effectiveness in the event of fire emergencies, and cause a decline in their FRL (fire-resistance level). Additionally, their existing condition may no longer comply with fire safety regulations.
So, with that in mind, you may be wondering, how often should the fire doors in your buildings be inspected, and what are the steps involved? Here at Fire Safe Doors, we specialise in all things fire door-related, from the manufacturing, installation and testing, to the assessment and upgrading of both fire-rated and non-fire-rated doors. Today, we’ll be providing you with essential information on commercial fire door inspections, so that you can be prepared for the process, and ensure your fire doors are up to standard.
1. How often should Fire Door Inspections be conducted?
The frequency of compulsory fire door inspections depends on the building’s classification, as outlined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). As specified in the code AS1851-2012, both fire doors and smoke doors in commercial buildings require an inspection every 6 months, whereas in residential and industrial buildings, they require one inspection per year. However, sliding fire doors in particular require a minimum of one inspection every 3 months.
Additionally, passive fire door systems, like smoke alarms and sprinklers for example, need to be inspected at least once annually. However, more frequent checks are advised.
2. What does the inspection process involve?
During fire door inspections, a number of compliance criteria are assessed in order to determine whether the doors are in proper working order or if they require adjustments. The components that are checked include the following:
Compliance Tags: Once installed, fire doors must have compliance tags affixed to them. During the inspection process, we check to see if these tags are present and legible. Here at Fire Safe Doors, as part of our BCA/AS requirements, expert tagging and certification are provided by CFDS on the completion of our works to our client’s satisfaction.
Doors, Frames and Hardware: If any holes or breaks are identified on the doors, door frames or hardware, they must be repaired or replaced with the appropriate materials as soon as possible.
Glass and Glazing: For glass fire doors in particular, the glass as well as its fire-resistant glazing should be analysed for any sings of cracks or other damage. The glazing beads should also be inspected, to ensure that they are properly intact, fastened, and free from damage.
Gaps: There must be no gaps exceeding 3mm between doors and their frames, and this can result in smoke and flames being able to make their way through to other areas of buildings during fire emergencies. Identifying any gaps that will require sealing is a crucial part of the fire door inspection process.
Safety Obstructions: One of the most important elements of a fire safety plan is ensuring you have a clear evacuation pathway in the event of a fire emergency. Therefore, fire doors should never be locked, nor should they be obstructed by heavy or hazardous objects. An effective fire door inspection will identify any prevalent obstructions and devise strategies to mitigate them.
Broken or Missing Elements: Proper and holistic fire door inspections will identify any parts that are damaged or missing from doors, and arrange for them to be replaced, repaired or added as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Fire door installation is a crucial step in all building projects. Here is everything you need to know about the process.
Fire door installation is crucial for a myriad of reasons, especially personal safety, building protection and compliance with the law. Here at Fire Safe Doors, our team of friendly experts is well-equipped to carry out the installation process for you, as well as to handle any other fire door-related inquiries you may have.
In this article, we will be providing you with an in-depth guide on our fire door installation procedures, as well as the different options available to you, depending on the commercial or residential building project at hand. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your project with us, our contact details are here. So, without further ado, please see our installation guide below.
1. Types of fire door installation
Our Fire Safe Doors team has years of experience in the supply and installation of many fire door types, comprising different materials. This includes the installation of internal and external door panels, sliding fire doors and glass fire doors. However, no matter the project, we recommend installing a fire-rated door over a non-fire-rated door. A fire-rated door set comprises a fire door frame, fire door leaf, and hardware including handles, locks, air grilles and vision panels.
As specified under Australian Standard AS1905.1, Fire rated door sets must be self-latching to gain certification. Once a fire door set has ben installed properly, a tag and certificate is granted and placed on the fire door frame. Here at Fire Safe Doors, we conduct out work in both fire-rated and non-fire-rated facilities. We also provide certification for fire-rated door supply and installations. Furthermore, we ensure that all our work complies with any building or fire safety codes.
2. Key installation tips
According to the BCA (Building Code of Australia), all fire doors must be installed in compliance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1905.1.2015. This set of guidelines describes the key requirements necessary to ensure that all doors are fitted into a property correctly. Here are some of the key points outlined by the regulation.
Fire-rated door frames need to be fitted to tested prototype specifications.
Generally, the clearance between the fire door and frame at the head of the stiles must not go over 3mm.
The sill of the opening must comprise either concrete or another non-combustible material.
Close attention must be paid to how the door is hung, to ensure it is facing the correct way.
Once the installation process is over, fire door sets must have metal certification tags (AS 1905.1 2015) added to them.
3. How we can help
In partnership with Fire Door Core, safety and compliance is at the forefront of our design and testing processes, to ensure that our clients are equipped with fire doors that meet all relevant BCA and Australian Standards.
To request a quote for the installation, manufacture, maintenance or customisation of fire-rated doors for your building projects today, please contact us at Fire Safe Doors, and our friendly team of experts will happily assist you in kickstarting your fire safety journey.
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 door installation and customisation requirements vary per project. Our team at Fire Safe Doors can simplify the process. Contact us for an assessment and quote today.
No matter what your fire door-related enquiries are, we can help. Upon assessment of your project’s needs, our friendly team of experts at Fire Safe Doors can provide you with an accurate quote. Whether it be custom door manufacturing, installation of panels, fire testing, or assessing and updating heritage doors, we can handle each step of the process.
Over many years in business, we’ve developed a large builder and developer clientele. However, we are always excited and equipped to work with new clients. At Fire Safe Doors, we believe that a highly-personalised service is what sets us apart from other providers.
We carry out projects in both fire-rated and non-fire-rated facilities, providing certification for fire-rated door supply and installations. Additionally, we always ensure that our work complies with any building or fire safety codes.
In partnership with Fire Door Core, safety and compliance is at the forefront of our design and testing processes, to ensure that our clients are equipped with fire doors that meet all relevant BCA and Australian Standards. To request a fire door quote today, reach out to us here and we’d be happy to discuss your project.
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 drills are important to conduct within organisations. For staff and patrons, they can be a life-saving measure during fire emergencies.
In every workplace, it is important to establish actionable procedures to be carried out in the event of fire hazards and emergencies. With the guidance of fire safety experts, and an appointed fire warden, employers can ensure that they have an effective fire drill practice in place, for new and existing staff to undergo, in compliance with fire safety regulations, and an organisation’s legal duty of care.
For those who may be inexperienced in developing or conducting an effective fire drill for a team of people to follow, you may feel confused about how and where to start. In this article, we provide seven general and easy-to-follow steps on how to prepare and conduct a fire drill in the workplace.
1. Ensure the building is fitted with fire-rated doors and smoke alarms
Fire safety begins with your surroundings. Prior to establishing a fire drill, it’s important to ensure that the building is equipped with the appropriate fire-safe materials, including a fire-rated door. Here at Fire Safe Doors, we are experts at building fire-rated doors that are stringently tested to withstand flames for a specific period of time, depending on the Fire Resistance Level (FRL) applied to the door. Put simply, Fire Resistance Levels measure structure, integrity and insulation.
Additionally, make sure the building has correctly-fitted and functioning smoke alarms, which are tested once a month. One of the most important ways to ensure their effectiveness is to install them in the right locations. For example, one crucial location would be within 3 metres of a cooking appliance, as a large number of fires begin in kitchens. On the other hand, a location to avoid is near windows, as drafts can cause them to go off without warrant.
2. Set clear objectives for the fire drill and convey them to staff
Prior to conducting a fire drill, it is important to set the right goals and have a clear purpose in mind to convey to staff. For example, is one of your goals to reduce the amount of time it takes for all personnel to safely evacuate the building? In general, the duration of most fire drills is five to 15 minutes. If a work environment contains serious fire hazards, then fire drills are recommended to conduct once every three months. For less-hazardous workplaces, one fire drill every six months is the recommended interval.
3. Seek training and advice from fire safety experts
When developing a fire evacuation plan, it is crucial to consult fire safety experts who can review, adjust and approve your procedures. For example, you can reach out to ComSafe Training Services, which is a commercial sector of Fire and Rescue NSW. They are also a registered training organisation (RTO91235) that can aid your team in the development and deployment of a fire drill.
For starters, ensuring you have a floor plan drawn up of the workplace building As a general guide, Draw a floor plan of your home, including two ways of escape from each room. Plan an escape route and ensure everyone knows how to get out.
4. Follow the right steps when developing a fire drill
As a starting point, it is imperative to have a floor plan of the workplace building drawn up. This can be a great way to visualise and mark escape routes, as you map out the evacuation journey. Next, ensure that fire exit doors are not blocked by any objects such as furniture, or other potentially heavy items that may be difficult to move out of the way in the event of an emergency. As advised by Fire and Rescue NSW, keeping window and door keys next to locks can be crucial, should a fire evacuation be necessary.
At the onset of a fire emergency, it is important to act immediately. Don’t delay taking action. Ensure you set a designated assembly area, evacuation route, and designated meeting point outside of the building. Once staff left the building, do not go back inside, until you receive confirmation from fire safety experts, such as firefighters, that all hazards have been mitigated. And, of course, dial ‘000’ for emergency assistance. It is important employers and managers to relay all of this information to their team members, so that everyone is aware of these general safety steps.
5. Appoint a fire warden
In the workplace, designated fire wardens play an integral role in the assistance, implementation and improvement of fire drills, and other relevant safety procedures. In the event of a fire evacuation practice, their primary responsibilities are to lead the fire drill, possess sound knowledge of the building’s fire exits and escape routes, ensure all personnel are accounted for, assist/instruct employees throughout the procedure, and ensure that obstructions are eliminated for staff members with special requirements, such as wheelchair access.
6. Set the right expectations
When there is no imminent danger, fire drills may not be taken seriously by staff members. However, if an actual fire emergency was to occur, this attitude would not be helpful. Therefore, as a team leader, it is important to communicate the importance and seriousness of the fire safety practice, and the necessity of its existence, to ensure that staff remain attentive during the experience, and gain the knowledge required to protect themselves and their colleagues.
7. Action the fire drill
Before the fire drill commences, request the fire warden, and any other personnel with delegated duties, to go to their designated positions and observation points in the building. Once the fire alarm is set off and the drill commences, the appointed warden should carefully monitor the execution of the drill, so as to identify any procedural bottlenecks, inefficiencies or hazardous practices that may arise. Lastly, ensure that the fire drill is timed by a designated team member, so as to ensure the entire process occurs within a safe and appropriate time frame.
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 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.
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.
When installing fire doors in your developments and projects, it is critical that they have the appropriate fire door signage.
The right signs:
• Clearly and visibly mark all fire doors for the building’s occupants and improve fire safety and awareness once the building is completed • Ensure compliance with Australian fire door regulations set out by the NCC (National Construction Code) and the Building Code of Australia (BCA) • Help you qualify for the required Occupation Certificate
Signage for Fire Doors in All States
For all other states, the Building Code of Australia stipulates that the following sign must be displayed on all fire doors:
This sign must be permanently displayed:
• On the “approach” side of all doors leading to a fire exit or fire stair, no matter where in the building the fire door is located (e.g. even if the door is located on the roof or in the basement) • On both sides of all doors that ordinarily must be kept closed and that rest between individual fire compartments
Signage for Fire Doors in NSW Only
Fire door signage regulations differ slightly for buildings located in NSW.
In NSW, all fire doors must permanently display the above sign (Fire Safety Door / Do Not Obstruct / Do Not Keep Open) and they must also display this sign outlining the ‘Offences Relating to Fire Exits.’
The ‘Offences Relating to Fire Exits’ sign must be displayed at all times, either on the door itself or adjacent to the door (i.e. on the wall). It should be located:
• On the “approach” side of all doors leading to a fire escape or fire stair, regardless of where in the building the door is located • On both sides of all doors between individual fire compartments where the doors must be kept closed at all times
Signs for All Fire Exit Doors (All States)
There are also strict regulations regarding signage for Fire Exit Doors throughout the entirety of Australia. No matter which state you are in, the sign below must be displayed on all fire exit doors:
This sign must be visible:
• On both sides of a fire exit door that leads from the interior of a building to an open space (e.g. the street) • On both sides of all doors leading from an exit isolated from fire to an open space
Further Tips When Determining Your Fire Door Signage
• All signs must be placed at eye level • Ensure the signs you buy comply with the legislation in your state; if you are unsure what is required, check with the Australian Building Codes Board • Check that the sign is the right size and made of appropriate material for your particular door/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.
To effectively fireproof commercial buildings, it’s best to install fire-rated doors over non-fire-rated doors. But what’s the difference?
Fire doors are crucial safety assets in commercial and industrial spaces. However, not all fire doors are built the same. While non-fire-rated doors can comprise any fire-resistant materials, fire-rated doors are constructed and tested to hold out against fires at defined temperatures for certain time durations, be it either 30, 60, or 120 minutes.
This stipulated timeframe is the amount of time they are equipped to resist catching fire, as well as to prevent the passage of smoke and flames from one section of a building to the next.
Here at Fire Safe Doors, we are experts at building fire-rated doors that are stringently tested to withstand flames for a specific period of time, depending on the Fire Resistance Level (FRL) applied to the door. Put simply, Fire Resistance Levels measure structure, integrity and insulation.
In addition to providing ongoing monitoring, testing and maintenance to ensure durability, we also make certain that all of our work is conducted in compliance with building codes, fire safety codes and Australian Fire Door Regulations for Commercial or Industrial Properties.
While fire-rated doors and non-fire-rated doors can look quite similar at first glance, the difference between the two is primarily in the materials. As mentioned above, non-fire-rated doors can comprise any fire-resistant materials, including steel, glass, timber, aluminum, gypsum or galvanized iron.
Fire-rated doors are manufactured with a combination of materials that work together to cease or slow down the spreading of smoke and flames. Commonly, these materials consist of steel, wood, fire-rated glass, and fiberglass.
Finally, how do fire-rated doors actually work? Well, around the edges of a fire door, you will find intumescent seals, which are purpose-built to expand when temperatures reach above 200°C, to close the gaps between the door and door frame.
Put simply, fire-rated doors protect the lives of individuals and buildings in two key ways: By creating a barrier to prevent the spread of smoke and flames when the door is closed, and by facilitating an escape route when the door is opened.
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.
