When it comes to fires in commercial buildings, many preventative tools can be implemented to reduce the risk of damage. Installing fire rated roll up doors is one of the most crucial ways to prevent and protect against fire outbreaks.
Although they are one of the best lines of defense against fires, not many people fully understand the importance, the applications and the various types of these doors. Understanding the ins and outs of fire rated roll up doors can help you decide if they are the best fire protection solution for your building.
Understanding Fire Rated Roll Up Doors
Fire rated roll up doors are specialty doors designed to protect openings and restrict fire spreading in commercial and industrial facilities. Unlike regular roll-up doors, fire rated roll up doors contain fire-resistive materials and comply with strict testing standards, earning hourly fire ratings.
Rolling fire doors feature spring-loaded rolling mechanisms allowing them to open vertically and take up minimal space. But unlike typical doors, all components from steel slats to side guides to bearings are engineered to withstand extreme heat and contain fires.
Fire Rated Roll Up Door Design, Materials and How They Work
Fire rated roll up doors use panels made from steel or aluminum. Materials are chosen to have fire-resistant properties sufficient for the desired rating.
Insulation inside slats improves resistance, such as high-density fiberglass or mineral wool which can withstand over 1000°F before structural failure. Seals around edges prevent smoke and hot air passage. Rollers and guides are steel-encased to ensure consistent performance under emergency conditions.
Sophisticated components like fusible links, heat sensors and side guides containing intumescent strips activate during fires to create tight seals. Wireless systems trigger automatic closure when alarms sound. When exposed to fire conditions, these doors maintain closure integrity to compartmentalize and prevent fire and smoke spread for a rated duration, allowing safe egress and emergency response.
Benefits of Fire Rated Roll Up Doors
The key benefit of fire rated rolling doors is fire containment by resisting burn-through. This prevents flames from spreading to other areas, limiting fire damage. Other benefits include:
Compartmentalizing danger zones from other building sections
Protecting inventory, equipment and structural stability
Allowing safe emergency evacuation of occupants
Providing sufficient time for emergency response
Reducing smoke infiltration which causes harm
Without rated doors, fires breach walls rapidly compromising the building. Properly tested doors save lives and property.
Types of Fire Rated Roll Up Doors
Many types of fire rated roll up doors are available for various needs:
Rolling steel models are the most common providing economical protection. Galvanized steel withstands heat exposure, making them a safe and reliable choice.
Aluminum doors are lightweight but still UL-rated for fire resistance.
Stainless steel offers superior corrosion and fire resistance where environments are harsh.
High-speed doors can open rapidly but still provide fire ratings of up to 2 hours for active access points.
When deciding which type of fire rated roll up door is best, facility managers should evaluate needs, codes, budgets and use patterns to select appropriate rated roll-up door for their workplace environment.
Guidance on Inspection Schedules and Knowing When to Replace
Like all fire safety systems, fire rated doors require periodic professional inspection and maintenance to verify proper operation. General recommendations include:
Visual inspection monthly with full operational tests every 6 months
Lubricating bearings/gears and checking seals annually
Verifying legible labels are intact and ratings are designated
Documenting inspections and retaining records
Doors should be repaired or replaced if they are damaged, fail drop testing, have missing labels or mechanisms fail to release as intended. Units exceeding 10 years old often benefit from proactive replacement to avoid failure during fires.
Notable Fire Door Applications
Fire rated roll up doors safeguard facilities across industries including:
Warehouses: Fire rated roll up doors protect valuable inventory and operations by separating high-hazard areas like battery charging stations in a warehouse environment.
Manufacturing: Manufacturing facilities often contain dangers like ignitable dust. Fire doors block smoke from spreading through plants to allow orderly shutdown procedures.
Cold Storage: Roll-up doors can help to maintain frozen goods while blocking fire spread in freezer structures. Fire rated roll up doors can easily withstand frosty conditions.
Transportation: Fire doors provide fire separation in bus depots, train platforms, airports and ports to limit widespread emergencies.
Self Storage: Fire rated roll up doors can also subdivide long rows of storage units to prevent fires from involving the entire building, protecting client assets.
Advancements in Fire Rated Door Technology
Connected doors: Doors with Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities allow remote system diagnostics, cloud-based video monitoring and alerts to quickly identify and resolve issues.
“Smart” doors: Onboard intelligence lets doors detect threats and react autonomously in emergencies without human input by integrating sensors and learning systems.
High-speed operation: Advanced motors, lighter materials and improved designs enable doors to open or close with rapid access when needed.
Wireless failsafe: Redundant wireless triggers automatically close doors when alarms activate, even if wired connections are damaged.
Battery backup: Batteries allow remote electronic doors to operate if power fails, keeping openings covered.
Trust SG Architectural Specialties for Fire Rated Roll Up Doors
Fire rated roll up doors provide vital, life-saving fire protection in commercial and industrial facilities. They contain fires in isolated zones, prevent widespread smoke and flame spread, minimize asset loss and create time for evacuation.
Property owners and managers must understand code requirements, proper installation methods and the diligent inspection and maintenance schedules required to ensure rated roll-up doors deliver their labeled fire resistance rating when called upon. Don't cut corners on routine care or training for these essential fire barriers.
With a selection of rolling steel and aluminum doors manufactured under stringent protocols using top-grade fire-resistant materials, SG Architectural Specialties delivers best-in-class fire rated roll up doors to meet the most demanding standards for commercial and industrial settings.
Our products provide facilities with reliable fire-resistant openings to protect lives and property. For essential fire rated roll up doors, trust SG Architectural Specialties. Contact our experts today to get started!
