If you want fire safety doors put in or replaced on your property, it’s critical to understand the difference between the two. In this post, we’ll explain how a fire exit door differs from a fire door in terms of function.
Fire Doors
Internally installed fire doors are intended to serve as a barrier for fire and smoke between separate compartments of a structure, allowing for a clear evacuation route for people inside the structure.
When closed, fire-rated doors will resist heat and smoke for a minimum period of time established by their FD rating.
A Fire Exit Door
In the case of an emergency, they may be readily unlocked from the inside using a panic bar or push pad. They can also be opened by breaching them with an external access device from the outside.
Differences between Fire Exits and Fire Doors
The primary function of a fire exit door is to make it easier for you to leave the building in case of a fire or other emergency. Its first and major goal is not to impede the spread of fire (although some fire exit doors are built to do just that). In contrast, while a fire door’s main goal is to prevent or slow down
Location
Fire doors and fire exit doors are generally located in different areas of a building because of their diverse goals. A fire exit door is most frequently found on the outside of a structure, serving as the final barrier before exiting. Fire doors, on the other hand, are commonly positioned indoors within stairwells, between rooms and on front entrances for flats in
Locking
Fire exit doors must never be blocked from the inside in such a manner that they cannot readily be unlocked without a key. Most fire exit doors are lockable externally using an OAD (Outer Access Device), although the mechanism is “overridden” and the door opens without a key if the internal panic mechanism is activated.
On the other hand, in order to ensure that fire doors are always closed, they should have a self-latching feature. Because fire doors are completely internally installed and designed only to prevent fire spread, they seldom need to be locked. In certain cases (such as a front door of an apartment complex), however, the fire door must also enable the fire door will also need to allow a quick and easy escape. In these instances, a panic bar isn’t required, but you’ll need to utilise a special type of lock that can be unlocked without a key from the inside, such as a thumb-turn euro cylinder.
Both types of fire safety doors must not be obstructed at any point.
Signage for a for A Fire Door And Fire Exit Doors
Green signs with the word “EXIT” should be on fire exit doors. Because it is now the worldwide colour for “go,” fire exit signs are green. Every fire exit sign should be illuminated by a dependable light source and, if necessary, activated automatically.
Fire doors should have blue and white signage placed on both sides of the door. These signs are blue as they indicate positive instruction, telling people to keep the door closed.
Maintenance for A Fire Door And Fire Exit Doors
Both doors must be maintained and tested on a regular basis in the event of an emergency. In these inspections, looking for any obstructions or harm to the doors is one of the most crucial checks. A working push bar is required for fire escape doors. Seals, gaps, and hinges should all be checked.