It is easy to see internal doors as quite simple. Whilst they are made with high-quality materials, doors are often considered to be mere rectangles with hinges on them. Whilst in practice, a lot of precision engineering and fascinating technology goes into their construction.
This is especially the case with fire safety doors, which are the first line of defence in case of a fire that help to save lives.
Here are three amazing, hidden technologies that help make a fire door work.
TECHNOLOGIES BEHIND FIRE SAFETY DOORS
Heat Sensitive Expanding Material
When a fire starts, the key priorities are to contain the fire itself and avoid the spread of smoke. The key to success in both of these cases is the use of an intumescent material that lines the edge of the door.
An intumescent is a material (sometimes a lining, sometimes a paint) that lines the edge of the door. Or is contained just within the doorframe that expands. When exposed to extreme heat, wedge the door in place and create an airtight seal that keeps the fire contained.
The versatile nature of intumescents has saved countless lives and avoided catastrophe on numerous occasions.
Automatic Closing Device For Fire Safety Doors
Many fire doors have strong self-closing hinges but beyond this. There are also many different innovative approaches to ensure the door shuts when it needs to.
One is a heat-sensitive hinge that when the temperature reaches a certain level, closes using a fail-safe state to allow for the other technologies to start working to stop fires.
Fire Resistant Glass
Many fire doors have windows that are also fire-rated, and whilst in the past wire-mesh glass was used, a more popular alternative is two panes of glass filled with liquid sodium silicate. Which works to insulate the door and protect the glass from shattering due to the heat.