The role of fire doors in airports

Large public buildings, such as an airport terminal, contain great numbers of people at any given time, and a fire outbreak could have tragic consequences.

That’s why airports and similar travel hubs have strict, mandatory safety measures in place, amongst which are the installation of specialist fire doors. Fire doors can be the powerful barrier between a person being injured of worse. Their role is to restrict the spread of fire and protect people behind them.

Here is some information on the make-up, function and importance of fire doors in airports:

Fire Doors In Airports

Fire doors are engineered and tested to very demanding safety standards and form part of the vital passive fire protection system of a building, and are a mandatory safety requirement in all public buildings, including airports.

They protect escape routes, such as corridors and stairs, and play a key role in preventative fire protection. Fire doors are usually fitted with self-closing mechanisms to prevent fire spreading into adjoining areas from the initial fire outbreak source. The speedy closure of these doors in a fire outbreak is critical to the safety of those in the area where the fire occurs and in limiting damage to the building itself.

Fire door sets comprise of the door itself, fire-resistant door furniture and glazing where required, and the frame in which the door sits. The complete unit forms an effective barrier against smoke, heat and flames.

A fire door also fulfils the normal function of a standard door. It is only in the event of a fire outbreak that they will fulfil the protective purpose for which they were designed and manufactured. In a busy environment like an airport, fire doors can prevent deaths as well as assisting firefighters to access the fire outbreak efficiently.

Types of Fire Doors in Airports

Depending on where the fire doors are located, and the function of the area or room, doors with the relevant time resistance and protection will be installed.

The minimum period of resistance provided by these fire doors is 30 minutes with a door type commonly referred to as an Fd30 – other set time periods of 60, 90, 120. The fire resistance offered by these doors help provide the time for people to safely evacuate an area or a building where a fire outbreak has occurred.