Fire safety is a crucial aspect of interior design that can mean the difference between life and death. Implementing safety measures within buildings, such as installing internal fire doors, can help to reduce the damage caused by an unexpected fire.
What are Internal Fire Doors?
Fire doors are specially designed to withstand extreme heat and prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. Unlike regular internal doors, fire doors are composed of fire-resistant materials and are equipped with special features that help contain flames. Here’s how they work:
- Fire-Resistant Materials: Internal fire doors are constructed using materials that are specifically chosen for their ability to resist fire. These materials include fire-rated timber, steel, and composite materials engineered to withstand high temperatures.
- Intumescent Seals: Fire doors are equipped with seals and intumescent strips around the edges to create a tight seal when the door is closed. In the event of a fire, these seals expand and form a barrier, preventing the passage of smoke and flames.
- Fire-Rated Glass: Glazed fire doors feature fire-rated glass panels to allow visibility between areas while still providing fire protection. This glass is specially treated to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of fire.
- Self-Closing Mechanisms: Internal fire doors are usually equipped with self-closing mechanisms, such as door closers or spring hinges, to ensure that the door automatically closes and latches shut in the event of a fire.
- FD Rating: Fire doors are assigned an FD rating, which indicates the duration in minutes that the door can withstand fire and prevent its spread.
The FD-30 Rating
When discussing fire doors, you'll often encounter the term FD-30, which is the most common fire door rating in the UK. If a door is FD-30 rated, it means that the door has passed the fire testing requirements laid out in BS 476-22:1987 and BS EN 1634-1:2014. As such, it is guaranteed to keep harmful fire and smoke at bay for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Other fire door ratings include FD-60 and FD-90 - the rating number indicates the duration in minutes that the door can withstand fire and prevent its spread.
When to Use Internal Fire Doors
While fire doors are most commonly associated with commercial buildings, they are equally as important in residential settings.
When it comes to private homes, the legal requirements for fire doors are much less rigorous than for public buildings or HMOs (houses in multiple occupation). That being said, you should consider installing fire doors within your home to enhance the safety of you and your family. Some key areas where internal fire doors are recommended include:
- Kitchens: Cooking activities pose a significant fire risk in homes. Installing a fire door between the kitchen and other living spaces can help contain any potential fires, preventing them from spreading throughout the house.
- Garages: Garages often contain flammable materials such as paints and solvents. A fire door separating the garage from the rest of the house can prevent fires from spreading into living areas.
- Bedrooms: Bedrooms are vital areas where you’ll spend a significant amount of time, especially during sleeping hours. Installing fire doors in bedrooms can provide valuable time for you to escape in the event of a fire elsewhere in the house.
Internal Fire Doors within Holiday Lets & Airbnbs
New legislation states that all internal hollow core and thin panel doors (less than 44mm thick) within short term holiday homes and Airbnbs must now be replaced with FD-30 rated doors. These doors will hold back smoke and fire and should provide guests with sufficient time to escape in the unfortunate event of a fire.
More information on this legislation can be found in the ‘Small Paying-Guest Accommodation’ guide from the Home Office.
Fitting & Maintaining Internal Fire Doors
Although there is no official requirement for domestic fire doors to be fitted professionally, ideally they should be installed by an experienced joiner to ensure they offer the correct level of fire protection.
Just like a smoke alarm or fire extinguisher, fire doors should be checked regularly to ensure they’re fit for purpose. We recommend having this done every 6-12 months by a qualified professional who will check the condition of the doors, including hinges, seals, and intumescent strips.
Regular checks will help to identify any potential issues early on, preventing fire door failures.
While there is no legislation for checking fire doors within domestic properties, owners of public and commercial buildings are required to check their fire doors regularly to ensure compliance to safety regulations.
Types of Internal Fire Doors
Internal fire doors come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit different interior design aesthetics. Oak fire doors are a popular choice with many homeowners as they combine the natural beauty of oak wood with the fire-resistant properties required for safety. These doors add warmth and character to interior spaces and suit most design styles. Mexicano fire doors offer a classic 5 panel vertical design, while Palermo fire doors provide a more contemporary horizontal 7-panel design.
White fire doors are another versatile option that seamlessly blend with modern interiors to provide a clean, minimalist look. Again, these come in different designs to suit all tastes - from moulded 4 panel fire door designs, to composite ladder-style fire doors.
Other options include:
- Black fire doors
- Grey fire doors
- Walnut fire doors
- Glazed fire doors
We also offer bespoke sizing across our range of fire doors, giving you the flexibility to find the right door to meet your specifications. Regardless of your preferred design, all internal fire doors are designed to prioritise safety without compromising on style.
Internal Fire Doors From Oakwood Doors
When it comes to fire safety, prevention is the best form of protection. Why not invest in modern, internal fire doors for your home today and ensure your home and loved ones are safe against the threat of fire?
If you have any questions regarding the fire doors we sell here at Oakwood Doors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team via our contact page or call the office on 01484 643394 for a friendly chat.
