I have been asked by the person who does our maintenance what spec for the final exit door on a fire exit route, I wanted , 1/2 hour resisting or an hour ?

My initial thought was: why does it have to be fire resisting at all. I then wondered about protecting people inside the building from a fire outside, so decided to look it up.

Everything I found seems to suggest it does not have to be fire resisting. Is there anyone who could enlighten me on this? I understand the internal fire door specs and requirements, just interested in the final exit door ( to the outside and wild blue yonder- ok blue with a hint of black smoke).

Is there a need for fire resistance and if so is there guidance for determining resisting time?

Thanks
Chris

I guess if members of the public had access to the door from outside there could be a risk of a fire being started outside the final door/building? But yes, I don't think there is a stipulated requirement so would be down to risk assessment and depending on the cost differential - probably worth erring on the side of caution?

Final exit doors are not required to be fire rated as they are provided as a means of egress from a building and not to hold back flames and smoke. If you wish to do so, final exits can be left open which makes egress even easier.
The main reasons that final exits are kept shut is for security purposes. The requirements for fire doors are that they easy to open (from inside the building) and are not locked shut whilst the building is occupied.

Safe_ray

Hi based on old guidance from my memory it should be a minim of 750mm or 1200mm for wheel chair users ( public access ).This then equates to a maxim of 40 people per minute been able to pass through a door of 750mm. So you should look at density factors of the building and travel times, classification of building material and risk assess accordingly,to how quickly it would take to evacuate the building safely.

Thanks All

Yes it seems the main issues are adequate size, opening mechanism ( which may depend on who is opening the door ie public or workforce who are familiar - either way single action).

It was mainly the fire resisting issue that got me. As I said initial reaction way why at all, then wondered why they made fire resisting external doors, so started to doubt my thoughts. Had a read of Part B and also re-found a very good gov guide I remembered from some time ago. Though Gov not longer have it (I had the ISBN number and found a copy on a LA web site) called Fire Risk assessment Factories and warehouses (there are other guides). Also general Internet search, but nothing to actually say it does not have to be, or providing a spec.

Providing the only requirement is via RA then that is fine. I have reviewed all doors to see what may be outside that could cause a problem inside, and all buildings are relatively small, so only a few minutes to evacuate.

We currently buy 1/2 hour, so I suggested no reason to change.

Cheers all

Chris