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The Importance Of Fire-Rated Barriers In A Building

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The compartmentalization of a building using fire-rated barriers is a form of a passive fire protection system. A passive fire protection system is an integral component of a building’s fire protection and safety system. Local building codes cover the need for a structural fire protection system in all establishments and premises to ensure the safety of building occupants in cases of disasters like fire. The most common form of passive fire protection structures are fire proof doors, walls, and floors. These structures are usually built in all together to retard the progression of fire inside the building.

A fire-rated barrier like a fire proof door can act as a barrier between the fire side compartment and the non-fire side compartment for a certain amount of time. As a result, there is a slow propagation of fire and smoke. This allows trapped victims to safely exit the building even without the aid of rescue personnel. Emergency exits are usually built behind fire proof doors, walls, and floors.

The use of these fire-rated barriers can save many lives and can limit property damage. Fire proof structures can reduce property damage by slowing the spread of fire from the room of origin. This can minimize the risk of a building to become totally damaged which can result to business loss and unemployment.

How reliable is a fire proof door? Building fire proof doors, walls, and floors in a building does not guaranteed total safety during actual cases of fire. Regulations and protocols regarding fire-rated structures must be taken into serious consideration by building owners and contractors. A fire-rated structure such as a fire proof door can encounter failure to operate in actual cases of fire for some reasons.

Due to this, it is important to strictly comply with the local building codes’ recommendation regarding installation, modification, inspection, repair, and maintenance. A fire-rated barrier that fails to operate during actual cases of fire is mostly likely due to lack of compliance. Below are some tips on how to improve a fire proof door’s reliability:
  • Hire a skilled contractor to install your fire proof door, walls, and floors. Fire-rated structures must be installed within certain specifications to ensure its reliability and performance.
  • If there is a need for modification or repair, your in-house technician must inform this to the certifying body for approval.
  • When replacing hardware parts, replacement parts must be installed within the certain specifications of the certifying body.
  • Hire an in-house technician who is familiar with all the hardware parts and operating mechanism of the fire proof door.
  • Building owners must conduct inspection and testing at least twice a year. A written record of the inspection must be kept and signed by the authority that is in jurisdiction.


The goal of a fire protection system is life safety, all buildings and establishments must be well-equipped with structures and equipment to secure the safety of all building occupants especially during disasters.  Preparedness is the key to reduce the catastrophic physical injuries and property damage due to unintentional fire. The use of fire –rated structures like a fire proof door can mean the difference between life and death. For more information about best price fireproof doors, click here.

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Scanline Fire Doors is fully licensed and insured to perform fire door inspections which are compulsory in Queensland. They must be inspected and maintained in accordance with AS1851, Part 17-2005 and therefore the Queensland Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

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