Fire doors should be checked regularly as they are crucial to protecting emergency exits and maintaining compartmentation. They are usually made of wood or steel and are designed to provide 30 to 60 minutes of protection. But before you think about installing one, it's important to understand how they work and how to identify the door that's right for you. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Identifying Fire Doors Wooden fire doors normally require a space of around 3 to 4 millimeters between the door leaf and the frame. To maintain fire resistance, the space is normally protected by an intumescent seal installed either in the door or frame. The intumescent seal expands to seal gaps in the event of a tragic fire. If the door contains a glazed panel it will normally also be fitted with an intumescent material. To limit the spread of smoke at room temperature, smoke seals can also be installed. Sometimes metal fire doors may be more suitable than wooden doors, for example where fire resistance of more than one hour is required. To identify a door and its rating, you must look for a label or cap from a third-party certification system. LabelsLabels or caps from certified suppliers are a reliable indicator that a door meets the designated fire resistance. Labels generally indicate the length of time a door will resist fire. Each label is usually numbered. This is useful for locating the door manufacturer if a replacement is needed or if problems arise. Old doors have labels. But if it is of solid, heavy construction and similar to other fire doors in buildings, they are probably fire doors. If in doubt, seek professional advice on a door's performance or install a proven replacement. Gaps Gaps around fire doors should be three to four millimeters. Larger spaces are unlikely to trap fire and smoke. In older buildings, doors cannot have intumescent strips, so only a nominal 20 minute fire resistance can be expected. It is currently recommended to install a door with an intermittent strip providing a fire resistance of at least 30 minutes. Metal doors are generally not equipped with intumescent strips. Smoke protection Many fire doors are now fitted with smoke seals which prevent the spread of smoke at normal temperatures. These seals are usually polymer blades or brushes. An assessor must verify that smoke seals are present and in good condition. They must completely fill the gap between the doors and the frame. Hardware The hardware for fire doors is complex. The combinations of hinges, latches and push plates are almost endless and many are not compatible with each other or with particular types of door leaf and frame. Most fire doors will be hung on three or more hinges. If the door has fallen due to failure of the hinges or fixings or the door does not close properly, remedial work should be undertaken as soon as possible. Fire risk Assessors must also check the presence and condition of intumescent joints. They should be installed at the top and on both side edges of your door. Intumescent protection for hardware should also be used.