In an active fire protection system, do the fire doors remain locked unless there is a trigger from the detection/ fire alarm system. We have a control room whose fire doors are locked always and cannot be opened manually. It can be opened only during emergency when the fire/ smoke detector activates. I believe the fire doors are never to be locked. It must be only closed. Is this as per the standard? Can someone advice the relevant standard specifying this? Regards, P

Can we be sure of what you are talking about. A fire door is a devise that control the spread of fire and isolates one area from another. This is different to the fire exit, which does not need to be fire retardent as it is simply the last door before exiting the building. If the fire door is an internal door it must be released upon activation of the fire alarm or have an overide devise to release it in an emergency. There is nothing wrong in locking a fire door provided it is free to open when the alarm is activated. The impoprtant thing is the exit is available when a fire alarm is activated and as long as that is achieved the door may be locked to prevent unauthorised access.

A fire door is a door that helps to seal a fire compartment and should either be always closed or closed upon the operation of the fire alarm. Never locked shut unless it is the door to a room that needs to be secure. Never held open by such as a fire extinguisher or wedge. If on the means of escape they must be available for use at all times. A fire exit door must never be locked unless there are strict controls in place to ensure it will be unlocked upon evacuation.

I agree with all of the above comments BUT. I note that you are a Middle East member? What country? What standards?