When it comes to safeguarding buildings from the devastating effects of fire, fire doors play a crucial role.
But with so many fire door ratings available it’s important to understand what each of these designations means. At Preston Plywood Ltd, we supply high-quality fire doors that are BM Trada certified, ensuring your safety and compliance with building regulations. In this blog post, we’ll break down fire door ratings and explain the key differences between them.
What is a Fire Door Rating?
A fire door rating refers to the amount of time a fire door is designed to withstand fire and heat before it fails. This rating is measured in minutes and indicates how long the door can effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a building. The rating is determined by rigorous fire tests, during which the door is exposed to flames and heat to ensure it can hold up under these conditions.
Fire doors are crucial in providing safe evacuation routes for building occupants, as well as limiting the damage and spread of fire. The higher the fire rating, the longer the door will protect the building.
FD30 – 30 Minutes of Protection
An FD30 fire door offers a 30-minute fire resistance rating, which means it can withstand fire for 30 minutes before it begins to fail. This is the most common rating for internal fire doors in commercial and residential buildings, including offices, schools, and apartment buildings. FD30 doors are ideal for areas where there’s a lower risk of fire or where fire risks are controlled but still need to be contained for a limited time.
FD60 – 60 Minutes of Protection
FD60 fire doors are designed to withstand fire for 60 minutes, making them a more robust option for areas with a higher risk of fire or for buildings where longer protection is required. These doors are often used in corridors, stairwells, and utility rooms in commercial buildings, providing additional time for occupants to safely evacuate and for fire services to respond. FD60 doors are also common in buildings where fire compartmentation is required to limit the spread of flames and smoke.
FD90 – 90 Minutes of Protection
FD90 fire doors are rated for 90 minutes of protection, offering even more enhanced fire resistance. These doors are often used in high-risk areas, such as industrial sites or large public buildings, where fire safety is of paramount importance. FD90 doors are ideal for creating fire-resistant barriers between different sections of a building, giving people in the building more time to evacuate safely.
FD120 – 120 Minutes of Protection
The highest common fire door rating, FD120 doors provide up to 120 minutes (2 hours) of fire protection. These doors are typically used in large commercial buildings, data centres, or areas with significant fire hazards. FD120 doors help limit fire spread across wide areas, providing crucial extra time for people to evacuate and for fire crews to intervene. In some buildings, such as high-rise structures or complex facilities, FD120-rated fire doors may be required as part of stringent fire safety regulations.
Choosing the Right Fire Door Rating
When selecting a fire door, it’s essential to consider several factors to determine the appropriate fire rating for your needs:
Risk Assessment: The level of fire risk in a building will dictate the required fire door rating. Higher-risk areas, such as kitchens, boiler rooms, or industrial spaces, may require doors with a higher fire rating.
Building Regulations: Different types of buildings and uses are governed by specific regulations and standards. Make sure to check local building codes and fire safety regulations to ensure compliance.
Escape Routes: Fire doors are a critical part of ensuring safe evacuation routes in case of a fire. If the door is on an escape route, it will likely need a higher fire rating to allow ample time for evacuation.
Door Location: The location of the door within the building can also determine the necessary rating. For example, doors leading to stairwells or between fire compartments often require higher ratings.
Why Choose BM Trada Certified Fire Doors?
At Preston Plywood Ltd, we provide a wide range of fire doors, including FD30 and FD60 both of which are BM Trada certified. This certification ensures that the doors have passed rigorous fire resistance tests and are manufactured to the highest standards. Our fire doors are tested to meet the latest fire safety regulations, providing peace of mind that you are investing in products that can protect lives and property.
Conclusion
Understanding fire door ratings is essential for ensuring your building complies with fire safety standards. Whether you need FD30, FD60, FD90, or FD120 fire doors, each rating serves a specific purpose and provides varying levels of protection. Choosing the right fire door rating depends on your building’s layout, risk factors, and regulatory requirements. At Preston Plywood Ltd, we’re here to help you navigate these choices and provide you with certified, high-quality fire doors that deliver reliable protection when it matters most.
For more information on our range of fire doors or to get advice on which fire door rating is right for your project, contact us today. Stay safe with Preston Plywood Ltd, your trusted supplier of premium fire safety solutions.