Do I need fire doors in my home?

We’ve written numerous articles relating to the importance of fire doors in commercial and public buildings, the regulations that apply, and what to look out for.  What we haven’t done before is talk about fire doors in the home – after all, fires can break out anywhere!  Even if regulations don’t apply, it may be a very sensible investment to make!

Let’s start by reminding ourselves how fires start and spread.

The 3 necessities for a fire

1. Heat – the temperature must be sufficiently high to cause ignition; a spark would suffice
2. Oxygen
3. Fuel – the material which the fire will burn

Once the heat source has caused ignition, and as long as there is sufficient oxygen and fuel, the fire will continue to burn.  As it does, a large amount of heat will be produced which will flow from regions of high temperature to regions of low temperature.  This process in turn causes the fire to spread.

Now let’s look at how heat is transferred.

The 3 main methods by which heat is transferred

1. Conduction

The transmission of heat through materials. When there is sufficient heat present, it may be enough to ignite fuel through other objects. Combustible materials are most susceptible to heat transmissions.

2. Convection

The transmission of heat within a liquid or gas which is due to their difference in density. Heated liquid or gas expands and becomes lighter, thereby becoming displaced by their heavier counterpart. When this happens, oxygen is drawn in, further inciting the chemical chain reactions. In an enclosed setting, such as in a confined office space, the movement of the fire will most likely be forcing the gases lower in height as the heated gases spread along ceilings and walls. Superheating then occurs in the fire, thereby causing it to rise further, but this time, carrying with it products of incomplete combustion, such as embers.

3. Radiation

The transmission of heat by waves travelling until heat is absorbed by other objects. An example of this would be a bar heater or open fireplace radiating onto a drying rack or curtain.

Direct Burning

This is the simplest way to spread fire. A lit match, for example, can easily burn paper. The more objects the fire gets in contact with, therefore, the bigger the probability that the fire will be able to spread faster.

Fire doors in the home

All of the above, of course, apply anywhere and everywhere the conditions are met … and that includes the home.  Knowing that fire doors can play a vital role in slowing down the spread of fire and smoke – some models can resist fire for up to 240 minutes – it makes sense to think about them even if regulations don’t apply.

That said, if you are undertaking a renovation or building an extension, your architect will advise you whether the local Council’s Building Control Officer will grant you permission.  Building regulations stipulate that fire doors are required in the home in the following circumstances:

• in a two-storey house which has a door leading from an internal garage into the house
• new build or renovated properties which have three or more storeys (including loft conversions, note!) must have fire doors to every habitable room off the stairwell

If you are simply replacing internal doors, there is no necessity to install fire doors, but you might choose to do so for safety reasons.

If you are planning to fit them, note that they are thicker than standard doors, so you need to make sure that they will fit into the frame.  Also, unless fitted (and used) correctly they won’t work properly, so please talk to experts – and ideally ask them to fit the fire doors for you.

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The fire door experts

 Our team of experts is always on hand to guide you and give you sound and pragmatic advice based on years of experience and successful installations.

If you would like further information on our company please visit our home page ; alternatively you can go directly to our page on fire doors, or you can contact us.  We look forward to helping you.