Frequent mistakes when using fire-rated doors and how to avoid them

When properly installed and used, fire-rated doors can save lives during a fire. They strop smoke from getting to staircases and from spreading to the apartments area, offices, or other compartments of a building.

Therefore, it is important to inform the users of the right way to use a fire-rated door so that it accomplishes its function, and urge them to collaborate on creating a safer environment.

Here are some bad habits that create dangerous situations.

Common mistakes:

1. To wedge the door open, to tie it up, or to use any other obstacle that prevents it from closing.

A fire-rated door that cannot close is useless. It must remain closed in order to offer protection if fire occurs. In that sense the door closer is an essential complement to the fire-rated door, according to current regulations. The door closer must also be periodically checked to make sure it works properly.

2. Padlocks or chains must never be used on a fire-rated door. The proper way to prevent the access form outside is by using a panic lock, which allows to lock the door from outside at the same time as allowing the escape from the inside with no need of key, only by using a handle or a panic bar.

3. A door placed between the garage and the staircase must never need a key to be open from the garage side. Neither is it recommended to lock the door with key from the staircase area, but this last option is not forbidden by the current regulations.

Your regular fire-door maintenance check

To assure the proper functioning of the firer-rated door, maintenance check-ups must be done regularely. Follow the manufacturers instructions in order to do so.