Do I Need a Fire-Rated Door

Fire accidents are unpredictable and can be hazardous, especially in commercial buildings. For this reason, experts recommend that home and business owners should take all necessary precautions to ensure that their properties, customers, and workers are safe. So in the quest to protect and buy time for people when there is a fire outbreak, researchers invented fire-rated doors.

This brings up the debate whether every commercial facility needs fire rates doors. In this article, we have listed salient factors to consider when making your decision.

What is a Fire-Rated Door?

A fire-rated door is made from steel, gypsum, and other materials to slow or prevent the spread of smoke, heat, or fire in a building. Fire-rated doors are graded based on the number of minutes they can resist the fire from spreading, usually between 30 minutes to 7 hours. Fire-rated doors are particularly important when it comes to adhering to safety protocols. They are almost compulsory for commercial buildings because of their ability to buy time during fire emergencies.

Fire-Rated Doors Required in Elevators and Hallways

If your commercial building have different floors and make use of elevators, fire-rated doors will come in handy. In case of fire breakouts, people will have higher chances of evacuating the building using the elevators and stairways. Elevators and rooms facing the hall or stairways should have fire-rated doors installed for the safety of tenants and to give an added security to your commercial building.

Delicate Buildings Need Fire-Rated Doors

Commercial buildings like Hospitals, Restaurants, Hotels and Educational Centers should install fire-rated doors. These commercial buildings handle a large inflow of people particularly the elderly and children. It can be disastrous if there is a fire breakout. It is necessary to install a fire-rated door in addition to other security hardware to prevent casualties in case of any fire-outbreak.

Fire-Rated Doors are Mandated By the Law

Depending on the design consideration and purpose of the commercial building, the government mandates there should be installations of fire-rated doors in high risk buildings. Therefore, you must confirm the building codes in your state or county before commencing the construction. In case you want more information about building codes and areas where fire rates doors are compulsory, contact Tampa Locksmith for further explanation.

Combustible-Prone Rooms May Need Fire-Rated Doors

If you run a commercial building that has numerous electrical control rooms or you deal with combustible products, fire-rated doors are advisable. Fire outbreaks can be unpredictable and you want to keep your workers and properties safe from casualties.

Fire-Rated Doors Can Improve the Feeling of Security

Sometimes, installing fire-rated doors will give you, your workers, and customers a sense of security knowing that they are protected in case a fire outbreak. Installing fire-rated doors even if your commercial building is unlikely to experience a fire outbreak is a good thing to do.

If the doors are installed properly, they can be a lifesaver. In case you want to find out more about fire-rated doors, or need other services like door lock repair, feel free to contact us.