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Installing fire doors in your commercial building is a must. Not only are fire doors required in certain areas to stay in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, but they provide important safety benefits for your building, protecting fire from destroying property. And, of course, they preserve the lives of everyone inside.
But the question often arises一how much can I customize my fire-rated door? The concern springs from the fear that by customizing a fire door, you may undercut the door’s fire rating, which can put you at increased risk of fire damage and fines during inspections.
This fear is reasonable. All fire doors need to meet regulations set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which addresses materials, construction, and installation. Any changes that you make to a door can potentially compromise the door’s ability to prevent the spread of flames and smoke.
But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have options when it comes to fire doors. There are many ways for you to customize fire doors for your specific needs, allowing you to find the perfect door for every situation. While there are some limitations on changes you can make, you can still make plenty of modifications to suit your fire doors to your needs.
You can typically find fire doors made of either wood or steel. While wooden doors can be rated to withstand fire for up to 90 minutes, you can’t beat the durability of a steel fire door, which you can purchase with fire ratings of up to three hours.
Fire doors come in single or double configurations, ranging from 24 to 48 inches wide and up to 8 feet tall. Steel doors come painted with a gray primer intended to stop rust, while wood doors are usually varnished. In both cases, you can apply regular paint after hanging the door because the fireproofing is internal.
While most people think of fire doors as heavy and imposing, that doesn’t have to be the case. Many fire doors can be made much more appealing by adding a window constructed with fireproof glass.
Although glass is fire-resistant, glass in fire door window kits undergoes additional fireproofing to meet code requirements. There are a number of different types of glass available, including:
Adding glass to a fire door can afford you several additional benefits. When added to exterior doors, windows make an entry more inviting while giving those inside the building better visibility to see who is trying to come inside.
Windows also provide visibility in the case of a fire, making it easier to escape. Finally, windows brighten dark rooms, adding light and enhancing spaces that might otherwise feel dull.
For secure areas needing airflow, install a louver for optimal ventilation and security. For fire-rated doors, consider installing a fusible link louver designed for such applications.
Fusible links are simple devices attached to a louver that move in response to heat. As the fusible link heats up, it closes the louver to create a fireproof seal that remains shut.
Fusible link louvers are rated for up to 90 minutes and must be installed in fireproof doors rated at least 20 minutes.
If you’re considering installing new fire doors in your commercial property, contact the experts at CDF Distributors. Our customizable quotes and nationwide rapid delivery ensure you get the door you need promptly. And with no minimums to qualify for delivery, you’ll only buy what you need.
Once you partner with CDF Distributors or talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable reps, you’ll be showing other companies the door.
September 20, 2021
Wayne Foreman
