Fire protection components for fire doors and fire windows

Fire doors are specially designed doors with a fire-resistance rating and part of a passive fire protection system used to prevent the spread of fire and smoke in a building. They play a crucial role in protecting human life and property during a fire.

They are used in escape routes, stairwells, corridors and sections that separate different areas of a building. Fire doors are often part of a comprehensive fire protection system that may also include smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinkler systems. In the event of a fire, the hold-open systems are controlled by fire detectors and automatically close the fire doors. This prevents fire and smoke from spreading to other areas, allowing people to evacuate safely from the building and giving firefighters time to tackle the fire.

All fire doors are designed to have a specific fire resistance rating. The required fire resistance or class depends on the use of the building and the fire protection requirements for the wall in which the fire door is integrated. Windows or ventilation grilles integrated into the door must have the same fire resistance class. The requirements are specified, for example, by DIN 4102-5 in Germany or by ÖNORM B 3850 in Austria. The British Standard BS 476-22:1987 is also widely used.

The fire resistance classification and duration is given in minutes and depends on the specific requirements and regulations, e.g. T60 or FD60 according to British Standard for doors with a fire resistance duration of 60 minutes.

To withstand fire for a longer period of time, fire doors are made of special fire-resistant materials such as steel or special composite materials. They are also usually equipped with insulation in the door leaf, which serves to delay the spread of heat and flames. In addition, special smoke protection doors (marked with the suffix “RS” for the smoke protection function, for more information see DIN 18095) are equipped with circumferential seals to prevent the penetration or passage of cold and hot smoke gases.

Applications of intumescent and ablative materials in door and window construction

Various materials and components are used in the construction of fire doors to ensure their fire protection properties.

Intumescent substances expand or foam at high temperatures and form a protective insulating layer that slows the spread of fire, heat and smoke. Ablative substances retard the passage of heat to the materials to be protected by releasing chemically bound water.

These materials thus play an important role in improving the fire-resistant properties of doors. By forming an insulating layer on critical components such as closing devices, hinges and seals, intumescent and ablative substances can help maintain the integrity and function of the fire door for longer.