The importance of fire resistant doors in hotels

In hotel buildings, security is one of the most crucial elements. Ensuring that all people can evacuate quickly and safely in an emergency is essential in the construction and design process.

One of the biggest risks during a fire is smoke, which poses a significant threat. In fact, most fire deaths are caused not by the flames, but by smoke inhalation. This is due to toxic gases, lack of oxygen, reduced visibility, irritation and damage to the airways, panic and disorientation.

To prevent disasters, every building should include smoke and heat detectors, fire alarms, suppression systems, extinguishers, and ceiling sprinklers. It’s also essential to have clearly marked emergency exits, signposted evacuation routes, a defined evacuation plan, and designated assembly points.

Among these measures, fire-resistant doors are essential. These doors not only help contain fire and smoke, but also allow for safe evacuation. They are considered by engineers and architects as a primary component in the security of hotel and residential buildings.

Here we explain why they are so important:

Fire and Smoke Containment: These doors are designed to contain flames and heat for a specific time, between 20 and 90 minutes, depending on their rating. They act as barriers, preventing fire and smoke from spreading to other areas of the building. This containment is essential to limit the spread of the fire and protect areas that could otherwise be quickly compromised.

Protection of Evacuation Routes: One of the biggest dangers during a fire is the obstruction of evacuation routes due to smoke and flames. Fire-rated doors help keep escape routes clear, providing valuable time for occupants to safely evacuate the building. By preventing fire and smoke from invading corridors and emergency stairs, these doors facilitate a more orderly and faster evacuation.

Property Damage Reduction: In addition to protecting people, fire-resistant doors play a crucial role in reducing property damage. By containing the fire, they prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building, resulting in lower economic and structural losses. This is particularly important in large or complex buildings, where an uncontrolled fire could devastate large sections of the property.

Regulatory Compliance and Insurance: Certified fire-rated doors are a requirement in most building codes and fire safety regulations. Its installation is mandatory in many areas. Additionally, having these doors correctly installed and maintained can be crucial to complying with insurance policies, reducing premiums and ensuring coverage in the event of an accident.

Safeguarding Lives and Property in Critical Spaces: In critical areas such as server rooms, laundry rooms, or archives, where a fire could cause irreparable damage or put vital information at risk, fire resistant doors are essential. They protect these spaces not only by containing the fire, but also by isolating possible ignition sources from other parts of the building.

Automatic and Manual Actuation: Fire resistant doors can operate automatically or manually. In many cases, they are equipped with automatic closing systems that activate when a fire is detected, ensuring that they remain closed when they are needed most.

“In most international chain hotels, fire doors are required as part of the NFPA standards to guarantee a safe space in the event of a fire,” says architect Alondra Castañeda of the renowned IHG firm, who has supervised and built several hotels throughout the country.

“I have been part of construction teams where the finishes for the doors and the different fire resistances are selected, such as the doors on emergency stairs, which are 90 minutes; doors for evacuation routes, also 90 minutes; and doors to enter the rooms, which are 20 minutes. Making sure you choose the right door for each space is a task of great complexity and responsibility,” adds architect Castañeda.

Making this decision requires a deep understanding of safety regulations and a careful evaluation of the specific needs of each space. Correct selection and installation of these doors is not only crucial to complying with regulations, but can also make the difference between safety and risk in the event of a fire. Therefore, this process must be carried out by experts and professionals, such as architect Castañeda.