When it comes to fire safety, understanding the role of a fire door is critical for protecting lives and property during emergencies. Simply put, fire doors play a vital role in protecting your assets and can ultimately be the difference between life and death.
This introductory guide offers a valuable overview of fire doors, their purpose, and essential features to consider when integrating as part of a passive fire protection system.
What is a Fire Door and What Are They Designed to Do?
Fire doors have two significant purposes: A containment barrier, and a means of escape in the event of an emergency.
Fire doors are purpose-built doors engineered with fire-resistant materials and specific features designed and tested to AS 1905.1:2015 / NZS 4520:2010 to impede the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building. They act as barriers compartmentalising and confining fire to specific areas for a designated period, delaying the spread of fire from one area to another, allowing occupants time to evacuate safely while mitigating the potential of asset damage or loss.
Key Fire Door Features
Fire doors are typically constructed using various specific fire-resistant materials including steel, gypsum, and timber. Fire doors are often solid timber frame, sometimes with fire resistant glass, and always an intumescent seal or strip around the edges designed to seal the gaps between the door and the frame.
Seals and Intumescent Strips:
Intumescent seals are typically rated to 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes and are designed to chemically expand under heat, sealing gaps between the door and frame restricting smoke and flames.
Considerations: It is important to note that statistically the majority of fire related deaths occur due to smoke inhalation rather than direct exposure to flames. Consider prioritising doorsets equipped with cold smoke seals integrated into the intumescent seal.
Exceptions may exist however where allowing smoke leakage is necessary as part of the passive fire system for early smoke detection purposes.
Fire Resistant Glass (optional):
Vision panels should be tested as part of the door set to conform with AS 1905.1:2015 / NZS 4520:2010 and are designed to withstand 30 - 120 minutes (depending on the rating) exposure before reaching a temperature hot enough to soften and compromise the glass.
Considerations: some brands provide products that turn the glass opaque in the event of a fire. This can be a useful feature for minimising panic among evacuees, which could be beneficial in healthcare or elderly care suits for example.
Certification:
Certified doors are assigned a fire resistance rating that specifies how long the door and its materials can endure smoke and fire, typically 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. AS 1905.1:2015 & NZS 4520:2010 specifies the criteria for these ratings and how the door must perform during fire tests.
Doorsets meeting these standards should have visible labelling or certification marks indicating their compliance and fire resistance rating.
Considerations: it's important to note that specific requirements and local policies might exist in New Zealand's building codes or standards. NZS 4520:2010 provides a comprehensive framework, but local Building Consent Authorities (BCA's) may have additional regulations. Please contact your local BCA or PFITS to assist with any specific compliance inquiries.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Checked?
Regular inspections are crucial to ensure fire doors remain effective. As per New Zealand standards, fire doors should be inspected and maintained at least every six months. These checks involve examining door hardware, seals, hinges, and overall functionality to confirm compliance with safety regulations.
5 Step Quick Fire Door Checklist
- Certification
- Check for gaps
- Intumescent seals
- Hinges
- Closed - fire doors should always be fully closed
Regulations in New Zealand Surrounding Fire Doors
In New Zealand, fire door compliance is governed by the Building Code and related documents like NZS 4520:2010. The regulations provide guidance on acceptable standards for materials, construction, installation and performance criteria.
Keep in mind that specific details within the standard might vary based on the type of fire door, its intended use, and the level of fire resistance required based on the building codes and regulations in New Zealand. Always consult the standard itself, the relevant authorities or your PFITS consultant for precise and up-to-date information regarding fire door requirements.
Some key points and requirements for the standard are outlined below:
Labelling & Certification: Fire doors meeting the requirements of NZS 4520:2010 must be labelled or certified to indicate fire resistance rating, manufacturer details, and compliance with the standard.
Materials: frame, seals, hardware and any glazing must be capable of meeting the specified fire resistance rating.
Testing & Performance Criteria: fire door assemblies are tested to determine the fire resistance rating compliance with regulations.
Installation Standards: Fire doors must be installed correctly, following installation procedures to ensuring proper functionality.
Maintenance and Inspections: Regular checks and maintenance are mandatory to ensure fire doors continue to meet the prescribed standards.
PFITS' Commitment to Fire Door Compliance
At PFITS Consultancy, our expertise in fire engineering and compliance aligns perfectly with New Zealand's regulatory framework. We offer:
Comprehensive inspections: Thorough assessments to verify fire door compliance and functionality.
Consultation and advisory: Guidance on optimal fire door selection, recommendations for maintenance and inspection schedules. Futureproofing strategies aligned with evolving regulatory requirements.
Understanding fire doors and their adherence to New Zealand legislation is pivotal in ensuring the safety and protection of occupants and assets. PFITS stands at the forefront, advocating for and ensuring compliance with these critical safety measures for a safer built environment in New Zealand.
Click the button below for a link to the New Zealand Standard on Fire Resistant Doorsets NZS4520:2010
