Choosing the Right Fire Rated Access Doors for Your Application

If you list the main causes of damage done to business properties, you’ll end up putting fire at the number one spot.

Even if you don’t end up losing your business in a fire, the damage done to your building could be catastrophic if the items in your building aren’t up to code. Having the right fire-rated access doors is one of the best places to start in protecting your business.

Here’s what you should be thinking about when shopping for fire-rated doors.

Consider Your Application

When you’re looking at fire-rated doors, you need to consider where you’re going to put them. They allow secure service access to the most critical and important

areas in your walls and ceilings.

Whether you’re using them for a commercial, residential, industrial, or institutional application, you might have different needs.

Fire doors help when a fire-rated product is required by code. They can be added to new or any retrofit project. They could be added to masonry, drywall, or plaster when you need to leave access for plumbing, electrical work, or mechanical repairs.

Having the right access door can allow access to ceilings and walls for any application. You can get these doors as large as four feet. They come in ratings that allow them to last for hours during any fire.

Think About Your Sizes

The sizing options available for fire access doors is pretty broad. They are made to fit some common dimensions but can be modified if necessary. Depending on the size of your space, you might need a door that’s good for a tight area.

Make sure you have features that allow it to withstand fire. You’ll need plaster beads, a strong lock, and insulation. You can even get gasketing that keeps out hot smoke.

Ask for a quote if you need a custom-sized door. A fire-rated door that’s self-closing and springloaded is perfect for keeping your space secure. Self-latching and locking doors allow you to keep out anyone you don’t want to offer access to.

You’ll get enough keys to outfit your main staff but not so many that anyone will have access. If you’re maintaining a secure site and don’t want unauthorized actors meddling with your wiring or pipes, keep a tight watch on who has the key.

Areas where there is no recess can still be served thanks to special fire-rated doors. See if the company you’re working with can work with your specific space before you commit.

Quality Matters

When you’re thinking about a fire-rated door, you can’t skimp on quality. You need to make sure your doors were manufactured to be the highest quality. Otherwise, you could be putting your access at risk.

High-quality doors should also be insulated with high-quality materials. See what kinds of access doors architects and engineers rely on. If they’re not the people who are going to be worried about budget, they’re going to pick the highest quality out there.

Those companies that suit the needs of high-end companies and official facilities are going to have the best doors around. The best in the industry use the best in the industry. Getting a homegrown American company to build your doors means that you’ll have an easier time finding replacement parts.

Make sure you do your research so that you buy your doors with confidence behind you.

Need to Stay Secure?

A heavy-duty door with key locks might be the right choice for you. Find one that’s built with a strong gauge of steel on the doors and a stronger gauge on the trim. These doors will ensure that you stay secure until the moment you need them.

When you get a high-end door, you can find one that has strong sound control, making sure that your fire-rated door doesn’t become a nuisance. Rather than skimp on the insulation, a strongly insulated door makes sure that you’re not letting sounds in or out.

Looking for Major Ceiling Access?

There are large doors that allow for a lot of ceiling access. Some doors are as wide as four feet. These doors allow work to be done to maintain and repair any major

issues with lines that run between floors or above your head.

While you might think large doors can be flimsy or make you more susceptible for problems, it’s all in how they’re made. A well-constructed ceiling door that’s made out of high-end material can keep you protected.

Depending on your application, it might not be possible to get access to an area without a larger door. Measure a few times before you decide.

Seeking Surface Mounted Doors?

When there’s no recess available, surface mounted doors are required. Finding the right surface-mounted door can be a challenge.

However, flat panel doors are the perfect solution in these cases. Make sure that the door you’re adding is well insulated and secure no matter how perfect it might seem otherwise. Finding the perfect surface mounted door is hard, but it’s better to find the right one rather than just the first one.

Fire-Rated Access Doors Protect Your Sensitive Areas

When you need to leave access open to certain spaces and ensure that the regions you’re leaving open aren’t sensitive, you need fire-rated access doors. Choosing the right doors will not only please the fire inspector, but it could save you in a big way if the worst happens.

To make sure you choose the best door hardware, follow our guide for tips.