When a fire breaks out, it is too late to make plans. Fire safety and preparedness need to happen from the very beginning, being woven into the very design of a building. This way, if a fire does break out, there are safeguards in place to ensure that as many lives and as much property as possible can be saved from fire damage.
Thankfully, fire safety strategy has been an integral part of the planning and building stages of all buildings in the recent past. Because of the integration of fire-resistant materials, fire doors and other fire and smoke mitigation strategies, many lives have been saved. How exactly do fire doors help to save lives in those critical moments?
5 Ways Fire Doors Save Lives and Property
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Properly Installed Fire Doors Stop Smoke from Spreading
One of the less obvious but equally as deadly dangers of fire is the presence of smoke. It can blind those who are looking to find an exit during a fire and can be deadly when inhaled. Intumescent seal and fire doors are designed to reduce the spread of smoke, giving those who are escaping not only clear lanes of sight to their emergency exits but also clean air to breathe as they flee the building.
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Closed Fire Doors Withstand Fire and Resist the Spread of Flames
Maria from fire door company Doors Galore said “A properly closed fire door will resist the spread of fire, giving those in the building time to escape.” Fire doors are rated by the length of time that they can withstand direct contact with flames and heat, helping building owners build adequate fire safety plans to ensure the safety of those in the building.
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Automatically Closing Doors Create Fire Barriers
Source: pinterest.co.uk
Closing mechanisms play a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building. After all, what good is a fire door if it isn’t closed? Automatic closers ensure that fire doors can play their role in the event of a fire.
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Fire Zones Can Save Lives and Limit Property Damage
Certain areas in every building have a higher likelihood of catching fire and can be cordoned off in a “fire zone” with fire doors. Places such as kitchens, mechanical rooms, and other areas where flames or the chance of fire are higher. When planning the placement of fire doors, fire zones can save lives by containing a fire in a space while people escape and emergency crews arrive.
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Fire Doors Create Safe Escape Lanes
Fire doors play a crucial role in the development of safe escape lanes in the event of a fire. Fire and smoke can make escape impossible but with properly placed fire doors, escape lanes can be kept smoke and fire-free, providing the necessary time for escape.
Saving Lives with Fire Doors
Even with perfect planning, you can’t stop every emergency from happening. That is why fire doors play a critical role in fire safety planning. Fire-resistant materials, proper planning and regular inspections and maintenance all play an important role in making sure that lives are saved in the event of a fire. Your peace of mind can come from knowing that your safety and security were considered and designed into the building itself, right from the beginning.
