Fire protection barriers is a structural or technical element that serves to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between fire compartments. Most often, these are doors, flaps, windows, or hatches that have fire resistance and, in the event of a fire, close automatically or manually, thereby preventing the spread of fire in a given space.
Types of fire barriers:
Door:
Door assembly with a movable structure closing a permanent opening in a fire partition. There are single-leaf and double-leaf doors. When closed, they prevent the spread of heat and smoke into adjacent rooms (fire compartments).
Designation: FIRE DOOR
Window
Assembly with a movable structure made of transparent material enclosing a partition structure. When closed, it prevents the spread of heat and smoke into adjacent areas (fire compartments).
Designation: FIRE WINDOW
Fire damper
A device in a ventilation duct that automatically closes in the event of a fire to prevent the spread of fire, heat, and smoke through the walls or ceilings through which the duct passes – depending on the type, it can protect against flames, heat, smoke, or all of these at once.
Designation: FIRE DUMPER or pictogram
Fire protection grille
A fire-resistant element that is installed in walls, doors, or ventilation openings to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between fire compartments.
Designation: FIRE SHUTTER
Other
Other types of fire barriers, such as elevator shaft doors, conveyor barriers, fire partition structures.
Designation: FIRE SHUTTER
Labeling of Fire barriers:
A fire barriers must be marked with a conformity label and accompanied by the following information:
- Serial number
- Year of manufacture
- Name of the manufacturer
These details must be difficult to remove, easily accessible, legible to the naked eye even after the installation of the fire barriers.
Fire resistance
The fire resistance of a fire barrier is its ability to meet the required properties for a specified period of time, which are:
integrity E, insulation I or radiation W.
Inspection and installation of fire barriers (doors, dampers, or windows) are an integral part of preparing and maintaining fire safety in buildings.
Inspection of fire barriers:
Visual inspection:
- equipment of fire barriers, including their integrity
- completeness of installation location markings
- compliance of the type of barrier installed with the design in the fire safety documentation (PBS)
- smooth operation of the movable structure when closing/opening
- coordinated movement and correct order of closing of the wings
- functionality of the safety mechanism
- integrity of the fire tape on the inner perimeter of the door to prevent smoke penetration
Fire barriers are inspected by a fire protection technician.
Preventive maintenance of fire barriers
- checking the fastening of all metal parts
- verifying the correct closing function
- cleaning and lubricating the moving parts of the barrier
Fire barriers inspection
- checking the fastening of all metal parts
- verifying the correct closing function
- cleaning and lubricating the moving parts of the barrier
These activities may only be performed by trained and authorized personnel from the manufacturer of the fire barriers.
Preventive maintenance and inspections are specified in the operating instructions. Unless otherwise specified, they must be performed at least once every 12 months.
Repair of fire barriers
After detecting defects, it is necessary to ensure repair to maintain the functionality and operability of the barrier.
The price is determined by:
- the extent of the detected defects
- the necessary spare parts
- the technician’s intervention
The repair is carried out only after the price offer has been agreed with the customer.
The accompanying documentation for fire barriers must include:
- Certificate or declaration of conformity – issued by the manufacturer of fire barriers
- Installation and commissioning instructions – with recommendations for use, warning labels and maintenance instructions
- Operating log – in written form with regular records of inspections, preventive maintenance and repairs. The current status (operational/non-operational) is recorded.
Fire barriers are structural elements such as doors, dampers, or windows that prevent the spread of fire and smoke between fire compartments.
Fire barriers are installed according to project documentation and must be fitted by certified companies in compliance with current standards.
Inspection includes a visual check, a closing functionality test, and verification for damage or mechanical failure.
At least once a year is recommended, or more frequently in high-traffic areas or after changes in building use.
Only qualified fire protection professionals. All results must be documented in the inspection record.
