Keep Your Staff and Customers Safe with Fire Doors

For many business owners, safety for both staff and customers is a top priority. By having the right type of fire doors in your place of business, you can be confident that you are doing your part to protect everyone in the event of a fire.

How They Work 

Fire doors are specifically designed to be resistant to high heat and are not very flammable. They can hold up in extreme situations and provide a protective barrier while the people inside evacuate. Some doors prevent smoke from reaching through, and this gives people even more time to escape. The doors are designed to last for a specific amount of time, making it possible for you to create a feasible evacuation time.

Fire doors are layered with certain fire-resistant materials, and vary in construction depending on the needs and requirements of their application. Possible materials include the following:

• Glass

• Gypsum

• Steel

• Timber

• Aluminum

• Particleboard

The door includes strips known as intumescent strips that expand in heat and seals the gap between the edge of the door and the frame. Many doors are equipped with an electromagnet that keeps he door closed if the fire alarm is triggered. Others are designed to be kept closed at all times. 

Benefits of Fire Doors

Aside from the obvious benefit of providing a safe escape for your employees and customers, a fire door also protects the content of your business. It does this by reducing the spread of the fire. In addition, it makes it easier for fire fighters to extinguish the fire. This further reduces the damage to your business and the building's contents. 

The piece of mind that comes with efficient fire doors is invaluable. You and your employees will feel much safer knowing that there is a good plan, and morale is boosted in their knowledge that their safety is your concern. Depending on your insurance, you may also experience a savings if the proper doors are installed.

Types of Fire Doors

As mentioned above, you may have a fire door that you can open and close on a daily basis or one that is designed to remain shut. You can also have a fire roller screen, which can cover a door but is not designed for daily use.  For larger openings, a roller shutter can protect your business inside or outside.

Different models have different options; you can customize the color, have special detectors installed, and have various controls available. The doors can be designed to resist flames from anywhere between 20 minutes to four hours. No matter what type of business you own or what type of escape plan you have, you can find the right fire door to keep your business and your patrons safe and out of harms way.