A fire-rated door is designed to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. Here are some key features of how a fire-rated door operates:
- Materials: Fire-rated doors are typically made of materials that are resistant to fire, such as steel, gypsum, or fire-resistant glass. These materials are designed to slow down the spread of fire and smoke.
- Intumescent seals: Fire-rated doors often have intumescent seals around the edges of the door and in the frame. These seals expand when exposed to high temperatures, creating a barrier against fire and smoke.
- Self-closing mechanism: Fire-rated doors are usually equipped with a self-closing mechanism, such as a door closer or spring hinge. This ensures that the door automatically closes and latches when released, helping to contain the fire.
- Positive latching: Fire-rated doors typically have a latch or locking mechanism that holds the door in place, even in the event of warping or deformation due to high temperatures.
- Fire rating: Fire-rated doors are classified by their fire resistance rating, which is determined by the amount of time the door can withstand exposure to fire and high temperatures. Common ratings include 20, 45, 60, and 90 minutes.
