Fire gates are designed to effectively contain fire and smoke in the event of a fire, thereby enabling the safe evacuation of building occupants. But how exactly do these doors work and in which areas are they used?
Tasks of fire gates
As soon as a fire breaks out, fire gates close automatically and form a protective barrier that stops fire and smoke for 30, 60, 90 or even 120 minutes, depending on the classification. As a result, escape and rescue routes remain passable, which contributes significantly to the safety of the people in the building.
Construction and functionality
Fire gates are permanently integrated into building elements such as masonry, concrete or drywall. In everyday life, they can be opened manually or electrically and are held in the open position by electromagnets.
In an emergency - triggered by the fire alarm system, autonomous smoke detectors or a manual release button - the power supply to the magnets is interrupted. The door then closes automatically due to the effect of its own weight and the closing mechanism.
Fire gates are available in various fire resistance classes:
- T30: fire-retardant
- T60: highly fire-retardant
- T90: fire-resistant
- T120: highly fire-resistant
Good to know: For use in escape and rescue routes, the doors must be fitted with wicket doors.
Versatile areas of application
Fire gates are used in a wide range of applications: they can be found in office buildings, warehouses, underground car parks, production facilities and airports. They are also indispensable in hospitals and facilities with high public traffic.
Fire-resistant glazing can be integrated as an option to allow daylight to pass through. The doors are made of galvanized sheet steel as standard, but are also available in stainless steel or RAL colors.