Fire resisting doors, industrial shutters and associated hardware

Question 1

Describe the purpose and the operational features of fire resisting rolling shutters. (6 marks)

Answer 1

The purpose of a fire resisting roller shutter is to provide compartmentation. Insulation properties are rquired if the shutter is more than 25% of the compartment wall in which it is located.

Operation

• A local heat detection release mechanism such as a fusible link, where for example, a fire
  shutter has been formed across a means of escape route
• An automatic release mechanism operated from remote smoke detection equipment or an
  alarm system
• A door closure delay device where an audio/visual warning may be deemed necessary in
  addition to the normal operational safety

Question 2

Describe the checks that you would carry out when inspecting the installation of ironmongery
fixed to fire doors. (6 marks)

Answer 2

Locks and lever handles

• Lock levers fully return to the horizontal after use
• Latch bolt is engaged smoothly and completely into the keep
• Wipe any metal dust deposits off the latch bolt and keep
• Adjust, lubricate or replace as per manufacturers recommendation

Hinges

• No visible wear, dark marks or stains around the hinge knuckle which could indicate wear and
  impending failure and 3 of them

Closing and opening devices
* Open the door fully and check it closes without binding on the floor
* Open the door to approximately five degrees and check again that it closes fully, engaging any
latch or seal

• Check the door closing speed to be approximately ten seconds from ninety degrees and
  ensure that the door does not slam
• Ensure that doors are not being wedged open
• Make sure that door hold-open devices are not straining the doors against the self-closing
  devices
• Check that mechanical hold-open devices have not been fitted
• Hold-open devices on fire doors should be electro-magnetic and connected directly to the fire
  detection and alarm system, so that they can be released automatically if there is a fire

Letterboxes are fire/arson resistant