How does an intumescent seal work?
So, how do Intumescent seals work? An intumescent seal is a strip of material fitted around a doorway, that when exposed to heat, expands closing any gaps around the door to stop the fire spreading for a period of time. These seals usually come with either 30 or 60 minute ratings.
What is an intumescent smoke seal?
Intumescent strips are similar to smoke seals, but they’re designed to protect from fire itself as opposed to smoke. This is generally why both are necessary for full compliance with regulations. Intumescent strips have a different composition, as they’re designed to expand in response to high temperatures.
Where would you use an intumescent seal?
Intumescent strips (either combined fire and smoke or fire only) can be placed in one of two places; on a door frame or on the door itself. Most fire doors now come with grooves already designed for the intumescent strips. Usually, the strips come with adhesive backing.
Do fire doors require smoke seals?
Do I need to fit seals on my fire door? ALL fire doors MUST be fitted with the appropriate seals. They are designed to expand under heat, and fill the gaps between the door leaf and frame, thereby preventing the passage of smoke and fire to other parts or compartments of the building.
Do FD30 doors need intumescent strips?
The Building Regulations indicate where you have fire doors, these would require intumescent strips. Fire doors are designated by their required period of fire resistance FD30, FD60, FD90 and FD120, with the number representing the amount of minutes the door can contain the fire.
Do fire doors need intumescent strips on the bottom?
Intumescent strips should be fitted into the fire doors frame or lining, where possible. The gap at the bottom of the door (commonly referred to as ‘the threshold’) is usually around 10mm* for non-smoke conditions BUT 4mm when smoke seals are required.
Can you paint intermittent strips?
You can only over paint an intumescent strip which is designed for fire protection. You must not over paint a smoke seal. Also, be careful to ensure that the strip isn’t damaged by the painter’s preparations.
Do I need intumescent strips on my fire doors?
It is generally accepted that to provide the required level of fire resistance, all fire doors should be reinforced with either intumescent strips, cold smoke seals or a combination of both.
Do I need to fit intumescent fire door strips?
Fire and smoke will travel through any gap to the air beyond, so it is important that fire doors have an effective seal at all times. The best way to ensure you have a seal at all times is to install intumescent strips with fire and smoke seals on fire doors.
Do residential fire doors need intumescent strips?
What is the difference between smoke seals and intumescent strips?
A smoke seal is placed in the same places as an intumescent strip, but it is always visible. While the intumescent strip blocks off the fire itself, the smoke seal is designed to only block smoke-protecting you from smoke inhalation. Smoke seals and intumescent strips can indeed work well together.
