Fire Doors: Containing Fire & Smoke

Fire doors are essential safety components designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different compartments of a building, thereby protecting occupants and property. In Australia, the design, construction, and installation of fire doors are governed by strict standards to ensure their effectiveness during fire emergencies.

Purpose and Effectiveness of Fire Doors

The primary function of a fire door is to act as a barrier against fire and smoke, maintaining the integrity of fire-resistant walls and allowing safe evacuation routes. By compartmentalizing fire, these doors help to:

Contain the fire: Limiting its spread to specific areas.
Protect escape routes: Ensuring that corridors and staircases remain usable during evacuation.
Safeguard property and lives: Reducing potential damage and providing occupants with crucial time to evacuate safely.

The effectiveness of a fire door is determined by its Fire Resistance Level (FRL), which indicates the duration (in minutes or hours) the door can withstand exposure to fire conditions. This rating is established through rigorous testing as specified in Australian Standards.

Australian Standards for Fire Doors

In Australia, fire doors must comply with the following standards:

AS 1905.1: This standard outlines the requirements for the design, construction, and installation of fire-resistant doorsets used to protect openings in fire-resistant walls. Compliance is based on prototype testing in accordance with AS 1530.4.
AS 1530.4: Specifies methods for fire tests on building materials, components, and structures, including procedures to determine the fire resistance of elements.

Adherence to these standards ensures that fire doors perform effectively during fire incidents, providing the necessary protection as intended in building designs.

Types of Fire Doors Offered by Doorpac Australia

Doorpac Australia provides a range of fire doors, each with specific characteristics and fire resistance levels:

MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) Fire Doors: Suitable for fire resistance up to 1.5 hours, with a maximum size of 3500 x 1500 mm.
SPM (Solid Pine Material) Fire Doors: Offer fire resistance up to 2 hours, with a maximum size of 2400 x 1200 mm.
Ply / Fire Retardant Ply Fire Doors: Untreated ply provides fire resistance up to 2 hours, while fire retardant ply can withstand up to 4 hours, with a maximum size of 3500 x 1500 mm.
Duracoat Fire Doors: Designed for high fire resistance, up to 4 hours, with a maximum size of 2400 x 1200 mm.
HMR-XP (High Moisture Resistant eXterior Particleboard) Fire Doors: Suitable for areas with high moisture exposure, offering fire resistance up to 1 hour, with a maximum size of 2400 x 1200 mm.
Ply / Metal Clad Fire Doors: Combining ply with metal cladding, these doors provide fire resistance up to 4 hours without capping, and up to 2 hours with capping and intumescent, with a maximum size of 3500 x 1500 mm.

Each type is designed to meet specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance based on the building's design and fire safety needs.

Fire doors are a critical component of a building's passive fire protection system. Doorpac Australia's range of fire doors, compliant with Australian Standards, offers various options to suit different fire resistance requirements and applications, ensuring safety and compliance in building designs.

A full range of door hardware and accessories are available for your Doorpac Australia fire door. Visit our online store to view the full range and place your order.

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