Things to consider while maintaining fire-rated door systems
Fire-rated doors are one of the sturdiest things that can withstand fires and wind pressures in Saudi Arabia. But don’t let this feat give you the impression that these doors don’t need maintenance.
On the contrary, these need regular maintenance.
Due to its critical nature and how important it is for any building’s safety infrastructure, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance to continue performing its essential function.
When it comes to fire exits, there are many things to consider. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this post, we’ll discuss the different things you should keep in mind when maintaining your doors. But before we go ahead, let’s understand the significance of installing fire-rated doors.
Importance of fire-rated doors
Fire-rated doors play an important role in keeping your home or business safe. They prevent the spread of fire and smoke, protect exit routes for people to escape safely, help firefighters conduct effective rescue operations, and can also slow down or stop fires before they get out of control completely.
In places like Saudi Arabia, where fire incidents are prevalent, these doors could become mandatory. Especially in new high-rise towers like the Jeddah tower. These egresses also come in a wide range of styles and finishes to match the décor of your home or office.
Now that we know how important fire-rated door systems are, let’s take a look at some tips on how to properly maintain them.
Why should you focus on fire door maintenance?
On average, it is advised to conduct at least two regular internal fire door maintenance every year. In most areas, it is mandatory for high-rise buildings.
Maintaining fire doors is essential for ensuring their proper function in the event of a fire. If these fire gates are not properly maintained, they can become jammed or otherwise disabled, which could lead to disaster.
In addition to their importance in a crisis situation. Fire egress also play an important role in providing security and privacy. By keeping your doors well-maintained, you’ll ensure that they continue to serve their purpose and protect your property from fires to come.
Here are some things you need to check while conducting proper maintenance:
Make sure to label correct signage
You need accurate signage on your doors to be fire compliant. For those of you who aren’t aware of signage, it is a message that informs you or others about something.
For example, if your fire door has glazing (glass) windows in it, then the word ‘GLAZED DOOR’ must be clearly visible and legible on both sides of the door. This is so people can see where they’re going when they enter rooms with fire exits.
Having accurate signage could play a key role in life and death situations. So be sure to double-check your signage is up-to-date.
Conduct regular visual inspections
Maintenance is not something that is just supposed to be carried out once a year. In fact, it’s a constant process where regular visual inspections are necessary. These inspections can take place in the form of daily, monthly, or quarterly checks. Depending on how often they need to happen for your building and its needs.
All three types are equally important as they all have different purposes when it comes down to ensuring fire protection at work. The following points will help you understand what each one involves:
Daily inspections –
These should be carried out by designated staff who have the authority to stop work if they notice any fire hazards. These individuals will also need to know how to safely use portable fire extinguishers.
Monthly inspections –
These are usually more detailed and are completed by a specialist, such as a qualified electrician. They will check all aspects of your electrical system, as well as lighting and ventilation systems before giving their report.
Quarterly inspections –
These can be done by either internal fire safety inspectors or external agencies. These inspections cover everything that was included in the monthly inspection. Plus some extra items like floor plans or exit routes.
Maintain a fire door register
Properties with multiple fire doors and systems should adopt the practice of maintaining a register. This register will have every detail of maintenance present in it. In places like Saudi Arabia, where skyscrapers are abundant, these registers will play a crucial part in keeping up with the maintenance schedule.
The purpose of this register is to keep track of all the fire egress and their relevant information. This includes:
- How often are they inspected (monthly, quarterly or annually)
- Information like the date when each inspection took place, what was found during these inspections, and recommendations for future maintenance work on them if necessary.
Creating and using this type of register will help organizations to be on top of their fire door maintenance schedules while ensuring that all emergency exits are compliant with regulations.
Don’t place any obstruction near the door
Fire-rated door systems are designed to perform all their activities automatically. This means that if there’s an obstruction near the door, it can prevent the door from closing and performing its function.
A common obstruction could be something like a bin or boxes that have been left next to the door. Make sure you keep these items away from your fire exits as they can cause serious problems in the event of a fire emergency.
Some people also use fire-rated doors for their convenience. This attitude should not be encouraged as it could create a significant fire hazard for everyone. When a fire door is used for personal convenience and is then not shut properly, it is unable to create an effective barrier between rooms to deplete the fire’s oxygen supply.
The best way to prevent any of these problems is by ensuring that everyone in the building understands their fire safety responsibilities. As part of your fire system maintenance program, it’s important to create and implement an effective communication strategy that reaches all employees. This will help ensure everyone knows how to use and maintain the fire gates correctly.
Closing thoughts
The most important thing when it comes down to maintaining fire doors is being proactive. If there are any issues that need repairing, then don’t wait until next year’s inspection date to sort it out.
You should also never assume everything will be fine because your fire safety system was installed recently – this could lead to problems if not addressed in a timely manner.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your fire doors in good condition and be confident that they will protect you and your building during an emergency.
For more updates on fire safety tips and products, visit virtual bridge contracting’s blog page. We regularly publish informative content that helps you enhance your knowledge of fire safety and precautions.
