6 Reasons Why You Need Fire Doors and Not Smoke Doors

Today’s modern office buildings are more than just a place to work. They are designed to keep workers happy, productive and stress-free by providing spaces that are conducive to their needs and interests. Apart from that, they also need to meet stringent fire safety standards. These buildings have several compartmentalised spaces with one or more means of egress. Most office buildings have a common area on each floor for the occupants to gather and exit via after-work hours. These common areas must also comply with stringent fire codes in order to be approved as safe for occupancy by building managers, owners and tenants alike. With so many rules and regulations involved in designing an office space, it can be challenging for architects and designers to strike the perfect balance between creating an aesthetically pleasing space while also ensuring its safety from potential fires or other disasters. The following are some reasons why you need fire doors and not smoke doors in your workplace:

What Is The Difference Between A Fire Door And A Smoke Door?

A fire door is a door designed to protect the building’s occupants from being affected by a fire and to prevent the spread of a fire. It has several safety features built into the design to make it more effective at protecting the building’s occupants from fire hazards. Fire doors are rated based on the amount of time the door can withstand a fire. Fire doors also have a “NFPA” label, which stands for National Fire Protection Association. Fire doors are usually made of metal because of its strength and durability. It is also fireproof and can be made of a variety of materials, including steel and aluminum. On the other hand, a smoke door is a door used as an alternative to a fire door, especially in hotels and other buildings where the use of a fire door would be disruptive or inconvenient. A smoke door is simply a door that is installed in an exit way to permit normal use and egress while providing additional protection in the event of a fire. Typically, smoke doors are installed in large rooms such as ballrooms, convention centers and large office buildings where a full-sized fire door would be disruptive to normal business operations.

Why You Need Fire Doors In Your Office Building

Fire doors are crucial to the safety of your building’s occupants as they act as a barrier against fire. Fire doors are designed and built to withstand fire and smoke, which means that they keep the fire from spreading to other parts of the building through the use of positive pressure. This pressure is created by fans installed next to the fire doors that suck air from inside the building and draw it out through outside exhaust systems. The fans are designed to be powered by the building’s electrical system and are triggered automatically when a fire alarm is activated in the building. Fire doors can be either “hardware” or “soft-close”. Hardware fire doors are self-closing, which means that they automatically shut by themselves when triggered by a fire alarm. Soft-close fire doors are manually operated and require some effort to close them. And while they may seem like a hassle when you’re in a hurry, their added safety features make them well worth the trouble.

How fire doors protect against more than fire

Apart from being able to resist fire, fire doors also ensure your building’s occupants are safe even in the event of a natural disaster. Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes can cause damage to your building and result in injury or death. To keep your employees safe in such situations, it is important to install fire doors. Fire doors can withstand high winds, which makes them ideal for use in hurricane-prone areas. Fire doors are heavier than smoke doors and have a higher barrier rating, which makes them more effective in blocking out smoke and other toxic fumes in the event of a fire or natural disaster. Although smoke doors are also effective in preventing toxins from entering the building, they can easily be damaged by debris that may be blown off by strong winds. Fire doors are stronger and more durable than smoke doors and are less likely to be damaged even if there is a strong gust of wind.

3 Things To Remember When Installing Fire Doors In Your Office

As an office manager, you should always keep an eye out for fire hazards in your building and take immediate action to keep your employees safe. Some of the things you should be on the lookout for and act on are: 

– Electrical hazards – Electrical hazards are often responsible for sparking fires in buildings. Electrical hazards can be minimized by regularly inspecting your electrical wiring and electrical appliances. 

– Open flames – Open flames can easily cause a fire in your building and can also pose a threat to the health and safety of your employees. Open flames should be avoided in the workplace, both indoors and outdoors. You should also make sure that everyone in the office uses a fire extinguisher when a fire breaks out. 

– Combustible materials – Combustible materials like paper, cardboard and refuse waste can cause a fire to break out in your building. Office workers should be mindful of the use of combustible materials and dispose of unwanted items properly.

Final Words: Wrapping Up

Fire doors are more effective than smoke doors at keeping out toxic fumes caused by fire and other disasters. They are heavier and have a higher barrier rating, which makes them more effective in blocking out smoke and other toxins in the event of a fire or natural disaster. Fire doors are crucial for keeping your building’s occupants safe from the potential dangers of fire or toxic fumes. Make sure you install fire doors in your office building and take the necessary precautions to prevent fire hazards. For more information about why fire doors are important and how to choose them, visit Capital Fire Doors.