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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: BHCC on January 09, 2008, 03:20:19 PM

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: BHCC on January 09, 2008, 03:20:19 PM

Greetings all

Please can somebody tell me the recommended maximum gap between the bottom of a fire door and the floor?

A Architect has told me 100mm but I'm not happy with this

Any help would be good

Mark

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: Steven N on January 09, 2008, 03:47:14 PM

I'm not surprised your not happy was it fitted using a chain saw!!! Believe it to be between 8 & 12 mm

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: Ashley Wood on January 09, 2008, 04:08:45 PM

I think you may be able to get the architects head through a gap of 4 inches (in old money)IF YOU PUSHED HARD ENOUGH! Maximum is 8mm. It's not April the 1st yet is it : - )

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: kurnal on January 09, 2008, 04:24:38 PM

They obviously didnt tell you that it is required as a means of escape for limbo dancers.

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: Wiz on January 09, 2008, 04:58:50 PM

Of course, the large gap could equally be required as a fire escape route for rodents and largish insects as recommended in the new European Directive; 'silly and hilarious excuses for use by the building trade'

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: nearlythere on January 09, 2008, 05:53:00 PM

The gap should be as small as possible, however, in a fire situation it is very unlikely that you would get smoke eminating from under a door despite what the ads show.

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: redbadge on January 10, 2008, 10:48:13 AM

The normal gap permitted is 10mm - which is to allow for floor coverings - leaving a true gap of approximately 3mm.

The limitation being required as the door will normally drop into the gap under test so transferring the gap to the head which is the most onerous location.

The issue of smoke control is a hazy one - the method of testing smoke control does not require the bottom edge to have a tested seal, it in fact requires that the bottom edge is taped over. This assumes that cold (more correctly termed ambient) smoke will stratify and that air will be drawn toward the fire from underneath the door - negative pressure hence the smoke will be kept away from the bottom edge.

Hadn't thought about testing an architects head for a smoke seal - always had it in mind that one would be more use for hard body impact testing!

Title: Gaps at the bottom of fire doors
Post by: terry martin on January 10, 2008, 11:05:37 AM

Quote from: Wiz

Of course, the large gap could equally be required as a fire escape route for rodents and largish insects as recommended in the new European Directive; 'silly and hilarious excuses for use by the building trade'

was this mentioned in the new animal premise guide? i must of missed it, silly me.