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. 

Your Building Fire-Safety Checklist

firesafedoors on July 20, 2022

Fire doors are vital, but they aren’t the be all end all of fire safety. Here are 5 free measures to ensure your building’s occupants are well protected.

Just like buying a car, your fire-safety products aren’t self-sufficient after the purchase. You have to routinely check your products, book maintenance and ensure their performing as effectively as possible. Fortunately, a lot of fire safety checks are completely free and pretty low-effort too. These are 5 essential measures to help you keep your building and its occupants safe from any potential fires.

Exit Doors

It’s imperative that your fire doors and exit doors are easy to open from the inside. Just imagine the horror of making it to the exit only to discover the door is jammed or locked. If you haven’t used these doors in a while, it’s definitely worth double-checking they’re good to go in the case of an emergency.

Keep A Clear Path

All the relevant walkways to exit doors should be 100% clean of clutter and obstruction at all times. The last thing you want in an emergency situation is someone tripping over because someone left a box near the exit door. Or, even worse, having to lift something to simply access the exit.

Image: Getty

Flammable Objects

It’s also crucial to check for flammable objects in your building. One of the most effective means to keep occupants safe is by limiting the time it takes for a fire to spread. If you need to keep flammable objects in your building, they should be safely secured and well out of the way of any fire doors or exit routes.

Book Regular Checkups

After installing a fire door, you should always ask your installer how frequently the door needs to be inspected. We’d highly recommend booking an inspection for the suggested date for peace of mind. This is also true for other fire-safety paraphernalia such as fire sprinklers and fire extinguishers. There’s also plenty of sound legal requirements when it comes to fire safety in Australia, so it’s always best to be on top of upkeep to avoid any potential penalties or fines. If you have questions about maintenance and inspections, give us a call on the number below.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are your best friend. It may not seem like it when they go off during your steak cook up, but in the case of a fire, smoke alarms are the ultimate tool for getting everyone in the know and alert. That’s why it should be routine to replace their batteries and click the test button to ensure they’re functioning correctly.

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. 

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. 

Alarms, Extinguishers & Other Fire Safety Devices

firesafedoors on May 25, 2022

The fire door is an integral aspect of fire safety, but so are other devices such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinklers. Let’s run through their utility and how to use them.

If a fire starts in your building, the safest option is always to call 000 and evacuate. However, with sufficient fire safety training and the right tools at your disposal, it’s possible to distinguish a fire before it becomes an emergency. Today, we’re running through those tools and how (and when) to use them.

A word of caution – if you are not adequately trained or practised in these procedures, don’t be a hero! Evacuate and call triple 0. Approach this post as an educational tool – reading alone is not substantial enough to ignore standard protocol.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms are a passive form of fire protection that quickly alert everyone in the near vicinity of a potential fire threat. One of the most important ways to keep smoke alarms effective is by installing them in the right places. For example, smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or high on the wall as hot air rises.

Installing a smoke alarm within 3 metres of any cooking appliance is a must. Unsurprisingly, most fires begin in the kitchen, so it’s crucial to make sure your smoke alarm is active and functional there.

A few final pointers:

  • Smoke Alarms should be tested once a month
  • Avoid installing alarms near windows (drafts can set them off unneccesarrily)
  • If you have more than one smoke alarm, interconnect them.
Image: StayWise

Fire Extinguishers

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.

Pull the pin – At the top of the extinguisher, there’s a pin. Pulling it will break the seal. Now, the handle can be pushed down to release the water. But before you do, you must be aiming correctly. You need to combat the fire from a safe distance and point the nozzle right at the base of the fire – that’s the most effective place for elimination.

Once you’re squeezing the handle and releasing water, aim from left to right, ensuring all corners of the fire are covered.

Sprinkler Systems

This active fire protection method is a fantastic tool for fire safety and should be an essential installation for any environment with increased flammable risk.

Sprinkler Systems have a design that allows them to release water automatically as soon as fire becomes prevalent. Each sprinkler contains a bulb filled with alcohol-based liquid, purposely designed to smash the glass from expansion. Expansion occurs when the room becomes hot, triggering a release of water.

Talk to a verified sprinkler installer to ensure a safe, reliable installation that triggers only when necessary.

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.