Static Security

A lot of people overlook steel fire doors. Good building design makes safety systems unobtrusive. Yet, there’s a lot of interesting design behind the dull gray or painted panels. Fire doors have the critical job of containing fires to a room or area and, at the same time, keeping people out of areas they should not be in.

Two Jobs, One Frame

Traditionally, fire and security doors have been designed and treated as two separate systems. Fire doors would have to be designed to contain smoke and fire for a minimum of 30, 60, or 90 minutes. The rest of the security systems would be the responsibility of another designer and incorporated through the use of high security locks, alarms or even security glazing. A Steel Fire Door is a different solution entirely and is designed to accommodate both fire and security requirements as an integrated unit, not as an afterthought.

People often overlook the benefits of steel as a construction material. Steel does not warp or bow under heat as other materials like wood do. A fire door’s integrity can also be compromised by a security door’s forced entry. Steel helps provide the defense of both fire and forced entry in warehouses, server rooms, plant rooms, etc. Steel fire doors help protect your valuable assets.

What’s Actually Inside It

When looking at the cross-section of one of these doors, the outer layers can be peeled back to show a core of various minerals or maybe even vermiculite board, which sits in between steel skins. This core is what allows a Steel Fire Door to achieve the performance standards required. It acts to absorb heat and slow down the process of heat transfer, while the steel outer skins of the door remain rigid and do not collapse into a gap that would allow smoke to transfer.

The Intumescent seals around the edge of the door are also an unsung hero of the system. They appear as a thin frame within the door, and, under normal circumstances, are unnoticeable. They react to heat and close any gaps to seal off the space in the door. This is done without any wiring or batteries, which contributes to how reliable the systems are.

Locking Systems Under Pressure

Well-designed locking systems strike a balance between deterring intruders and maintaining the ability to quickly exit the door in an emergency. This balance must also be maintained in a system that is designed in a way that allows for the construction around the door to heat up without the door failing to function. This is the case with the systems that are designed with both fire-rated locking systems and panic hardware. This allows a Steel Fire Door to maintain this balance of being secure and safe at the same time.

Hinges are more important than many people know. During a fire, if a door droops on its hinges, small openings can be created at the worst possible time. Because of this, fire-rated hinges are tested as a part of an entire system, instead of being randomly placed components.

Testing and Certification

Appearance isn’t everything. A door with a solid steel face and a heavy-duty frame means nothing without testing. In order to know how a door acts in a real fire, it has to meet the testing and certification requirements. Manufacturers who are serious about safety and functionality test the entire door assembly, and not just the fire door. A Steel Fire Door will only serve its purpose when the door, frame, seals, and all hardware are tested and certified as a unit.

What This Means for Building Owners

 

For those who are in the position of purchasing doors for industrial or commercial buildings, fire and life safety as well as security should not be considered mutually exclusive. The design of a certified Steel Fire Door ensures this as well. Knowing how the core, seals, and hardware work allows people to ask the right questions before the doors are installed.