Fire Door Market to reach $24bn by 2032

by Breaking NewsFire Doors

The Fire Door Market is expected to cross a valuation of USD 24 billion by 2032, according to the latest research report by Global Market Insights Inc.

An increase in fire accidents is expected to hasten the development of fire-resistant doors for residential and commercial buildings.

In 2021, nearly 486,500 fire accidents were reported across the US. As a result, the adoption of efficient fire security strategies has become increasingly vital for public buildings, offices, and other facilities to protect occupants against hazardous accidents. Growing concerns regarding security and safety will also escalate fire door installations to confine the fire to one area during emergencies.

Steel fire doors

The fire door market value from the steel segment will be nearly USD 11 billion by 2032, owing to the shifting preference toward rigid and strong doors for commercial establishments.

Steel doors come with unique characteristics such as heat, smoke, and toxin resistance, durability, and superior safety. Steel honeycomb has also become a preferred fire door material for interior applications, due to its excellent impact resistance and uniform crushing strength, further fostering product usage.

Sliding fire doors

The industry size from the sliding product type is set to exhibit 5% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, considering its airtight insulation, aesthetic design, and soundproof ability, among other key features. Factory development funding has also increased over the years to boost productivity and growth. These factors will contribute to the production of sliding doors, given their application scope in warehouses, shopping malls, and large public spaces for fire protection

EI60 fire-rated doors in industrial spaces

The fire door market from the EI60 fire resistance type will cross USD 9 billion by 2032, due to its usage in moderately crowded spaces including warehouses, parking lots, and industrial plants.

EI60 fire resistance class doors are equipped with self-supporting systems and safety sensors to increase building accessibility through automation. The increasing delivery of products in compliance with fire safety standards will support the growth opportunities for the manufacturers.

Safety standards

The commercial applications of fire door are projected to reach 5.5% gains through 2032, influenced by the rise in repair and refurbishment projects for commercial infrastructure. There has been a growing recognition about the improvement of facility management and the imposition of fire safety standards in commercial buildings. These factors, alongside the need for practical and innovative solutions to reduce fire risks, will augment the installation of fire doors, the report reveals.

Regulatory guidelines

The external fire door market surpassed USD 11.5 billion in 2022. Various regulatory guidelines associated with external fire door locations have been introduced to ensure rapid evacuation during fire outbreaks. The number of fire incidents has also surged in many developing nations.

Based on a report by Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, fire-related accidents killed approximately 35 people per day between 2016 and 2020. The necessity for ensuring building safety will therefore surge and promote external fire door espousal.

Rapid urbanisation in the APAC region

The Asia Pacific fire door industry expected to witness 7.5% growth between 2023 and 2032, due to the growing population and rapid urbanisation. As a result, the rate of spending on domestic manufacturing and construction is rising steadily in the region. These factors, along with an increase in smart city projects, will encourage building owners to install fire-resistant doors for the safety and protection of residents against fire outbreaks.

Product range expansion

Nihon Funen Co., Ltd, ASSA ABLOY, Hörmann Beteiligungs GmbH, Rapp Bomek AS, Chase Doors, VISTA PANELS LIMITED, UK Fire Doors Ltd., Republic Doors and Frames, Mesker Openings Group, and China Buyang Co., Ltd. are some of the key players profiled in the report. These companies are adopting product range expansions and other strategies to increase their footprint fire door market.

Under-reported fire door issues putting lives at risk

by Breaking NewsFire Doors

New research to mark Fire Door Safety Week (31 October – 4 November 2022) has found that a third (32%) of the British public would not report a problem with a fire door, with a perceived lack of personal repercussions being one of the main reasons for not reporting.

Organisers of Fire Door Safety Week said the findings show that there is a “clear lack of accountability” over reporting fire door issues, and that lives are being put at risk as a result.

Despite three quarters (75%) correctly believing that propping a fire door open stops it performing its role in the event of a fire, 44% would not take action over a propped open fire door as they would not know who to report it to, and almost half (49%) do not feel it is their place or role to report it.

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation which founded Fire Door Safety Week, said: “There were 243 fire-related fatalities in England in the past 12 months, so individual action really is crucial in preventing tragedies. Fire doors propped open put lives at risk in the unfortunate event of a fire. Without being properly closed, a fire door cannot hold back the spread of fire and smoke to fulfil its life-saving role.”

The research showed that propped open fire doors are a common occurrence, with 10% of respondents having seen a propped open fire door in their place of residence on some occasions and 20% in the workplace. It also identified that the two most common objects used to prop open a fire door are a wedge and a fire extinguisher.

31% incorrectly believed that a fire door that was propped open with a wedge or a fire extinguisher was safe and 18% did not believe a propped open fire door poses a risk to those in the building so would not take action. 15% believed that keeping a fire door closed stops it performing.

Gavin Tomlinson, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair for Protection and Business Safety said: “We urge everyone to help keep buildings and their occupants safe and Close the Door on Fire.  A fire door can only protect from fire and smoke if it is closed. We ask if people see a fire door propped open, they close it. It is a simple ask that could save a life.

“Everyone has a role in ensuring their buildings remain safe from fire, and if you have any concerns, then please ensure these are reported to the building owner or person responsible for the fire safety of that building. If it continues to be a problem or you are concerned about fire doors in a building, you can contact your fire service for advice and support.”

The research also found a lack of understanding over what constitutes a safe fire door with 44% believing that either: a fire door is a normal door covered in fire-resistant paint (13%), a fire door is a normal door but with ‘fire door’ signage (13%), or that any timber door was a fire door (7%).

Helen Hewitt added: “There is clearly still a dangerous lack of understanding and need for education on the role of fire doors. The encouraging news is that when people are better informed about fire doors, they’re more likely to report issues. Half (49%) of respondents said having a better understanding over what fire doors do and how they work would encourage them to take action.

“To Close the Door on Fire, this year’s Fire Door Safety Week campaign aims to help address the lack of education and accountability around fire doors and reporting. This will be a crucial step in reinforcing the message that a closed fire door can be the difference between life and death and driving positive action to reduce fire-related fatalities.”

Sentry Doors partners with Door Data Systems for Golden Thread solution

by Featured NewsFire DoorsProducts

Supplier of fire safety doorsets, Sentry Doors, has partnered with the leader in fire door traceability, Door Data Systems, to implement a data tagging solution.

This will allow open access to fire door manufacture, installation, and maintenance records, meeting the requirements of establishing a Golden Thread of information.

Manufacturers records will now be accessible and viewed for free via the Door Data Pin, linked to an app, in every Sentry fire door.

The Door Data Pin, which is embedded into a Sentry door during manufacture, will allow those responsible to record all processes of a door. The easily accessible system can be utilised at any stage of the doors lifecycle, providing a flexible and comprehensive location to securely store assets such as certification records, installation guides and warranties.

Also known as ‘The National Fire Door Register’, Data Door Systems’ compliance software application brings together all trades involved in the lifecycle of fire doors and provides Building Safety Managers, duty holders and those responsible with a true ‘Golden Thread’ of critical information.

Ty Aziz, Managing Director of Sentry Doors, said: “We are thrilled to have an open access solution powered by the leader in fire door traceability.

“The Golden Thread means making information on every aspect of a fire door’s compliance easy to access. Our Golden Thread solution means that data is available via a simple app with no manufacturer’s restrictions. That means better safety for our customers and increased efficiency for everyone in the fire safety industry.”

Jim Kerr, Director of Door Data Systems, said: “We have long been the leader in open access door data systems. No one should own the data that keeps customers safe – and our easy app means that it is available throughout the lifetime of the door. We are thrilled to be working with Sentry, with its history of leading fire door safety compliance to power its Golden Thread solution.”

New partnership sees Rhino Doors focus on the nuclear industry

by Featured NewsFire DoorsProducts

Rhino Doors has signed an agency contract with UniTech Services Group Ltd, based in Crumlin, South Wales. UniTech will now act as Rhino’s agent and represent the company’s comprehensive range of doors, including those designed for radiation protection, to customers working in the nuclear power and military nuclear sectors.

Rhino’s new partner is the UK subsidiary of the worldwide UniTech Services Group Inc., based in Massachusetts, which generates over $100m in turnover and has operations throughout Europe and the US.

UniTech specialises in the decontamination of PPE, tools, equipment and other consumables used in the nuclear industry, as well as offering an as-new reconditioning service, temporary on-site decontamination structures, and ancillary products to assist with decontamination routines.

The new relationship was formed through negotiations between Jon Walter, Managing Director of Rhino Doors, and Paul Chesters, UniTech’s UK Business Manager, which brought into focus the potential of a partnership.

Commenting on the deal, Walter said: “Rhino has supplied doors to the nuclear industry for several years, but we have been looking for the right partner to enable us to grow our presence in the sector.

“UniTech is well known and respected in the industry, with almost 100% coverage of all UK nuclear sites and a high-quality service and product offering.

“In particular, its radiological expertise and its breadth of contacts will be a significant resource for us in developing our business in this sector.”

Chesters added: “UniTech has always been interested in developing the scope of the products it can offer to the nuclear sector, and we’re delighted to have Rhino as a partner.

“With high-quality products, a professional approach to design and manufacture, and a strong customer service culture, Rhino Doors is ideally suited to the nuclear sector.

“As well as offering the required radiological protection, the company’s doors are extremely secure and can be supplied in an anti-terrorist format, which is highly relevant in these uncertain times. We are confident of a very fruitful partnership with Rhino.”

Geofire celebrates 50th anniversary

by Featured NewsFire DoorsProducts

Fire door holder and closer manufacturer Geofire has marked a significant milestone with the celebration of 50 years in business showing its commitment to innovation in the fire safety industry.

Originally established as an electromagnetic brake and clutch manufacturer in the north east of England in 1972, the company has grown significantly into a leading specialist in electromagnetic fire door safety solutions and its products are exported globally.

In 2013, the company moved to a purpose built manufacturing facility in County Durham, to meet the existing and future capacity demands of the business and ensure the capability for small or large volume orders.

Keith Thompson, Production Scheduler at Geofire, and the company’s longest serving employee, said that the business has changed massively since he started 39 years ago: “We were originally a team of 10 with two central lathes and only one CNC lath machine! I love being part of a larger team that achieves and exceeds. I have seen the company continually improve standards of manufacturing to supply some of the world’s leading projects. We receive new enquiries from global equipment manufacturers every day.”

Andy Collinson, CEO, Geofire added: “It’s the people, our processes and the continuous innovation that make this company, and we are delighted to be marking half a century of engineering expertise.  We have a wealth of experience and product knowledge coupled with investments in our in-house manufacturing facility and workforce to execute our progression. I am confident that with the support of our management team and the British Engines Group, we will continue to flourish.”

Rhino brings high-performance fire door to market

by Featured NewsPassive

UK manufacturer of engineered doors, Rhino Doors has completed all necessary fire tests on its high-performance integrity and insulation-rated fire door, following recent successful tests conducted on its single leaf variants.

The doors, which are available in both single and double leaf variants, with or without vision panels, are rated at 90 minutes duration for both insulation and integrity when tested in accordance with EN1634-1.

At only 63mm thick, the doors are designed to be architecturally attractive and technically proficient for use in high-visibility commercial environments.

The results of Rhino’s recent tests saw the radiated heat level (measured at 1,000mm), being 50% lower than the results achieved by the current market leading El door.

As a result, with the launch of Rhino’s new El rated fire door to market, it will offer the best possible protection against radiated heat than any other fire door available whilst still maintaining a useful, traditional integrity rating of 90 minutes.

Commenting on the results of the tests, and the potential industry-wide implications, Group Engineering Director, Dr Chris Norris, said: “It is relatively easy to design and produce an integrity and insulation resisting fire door at 90 minutes or more, if the client is unconcerned with the appearance of the final product.

“For example, the appearance of cross passage escape fire doors along the length of an active rail or road tunnel is often relatively unimportant (because they are not on view) and hence easier to engineer when you are not restricted by how the final door looks.

“Designing a high-performance, insulated fire door to provide >90 minutes protection, whilst still maintaining the appearance and profile of a traditional commercial steel door, is a far greater challenge.

“We’re delighted to have completed this development project, which has allowed us to launch this product to market and, as a result, significantly improve the protection offered to users, compared to traditional, integrity-only fire doors.”

Rhino’s new El-rated insulated steel fire door is expected to go into production this summer.

Allegion UK: keeping compliant with fire safety regulations

by Passive

Ensuring compliance when it comes to fire safety isn’t just limited to checking a fire door and its operation. Of course, this is an integral cog in the wider fire safety clockwork, but there’s much more to it than just that, Allegion UK’s Karen Trigg explains.

Keeping staff or employees in-the-know about any evacuation plans could help to save lives – this isn’t just making sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire, it’s about educating employees about all workplace fire safety features, like how to use fire extinguishers and ensuring escape routes are kept clear of any potential fire hazards.

Here are some of the most common fire safety threats and what you can do to avoid them.

Fire Doors

Ensuring fire doors are properly maintained will help to contain a fire and buy precious time during an emergency evacuation. Checking a fire door is operating correctly is quick and easy, so there’s no excuse for letting standards split.

Not only are there simple checks to follow with the fire door itself, but employees should also be trained on the improper use of fire doors.

This means steering clear of wedging fire doors open. Not only does this pose legal threats, but it also renders fire doors obsolete. After-all, their primary use is to close in the event of a fire to reduce the spread of fire and smoke.

What’s more, fire doors are often placed in areas that will protect lives and property, such as doors accessing exit corridors or escape routes, so it’s imperative that they aid free passage.

Correctly installed hardware

Potential fire hazards can be avoided and controlled if the door hardware is installed correctly from the outset. This starts with a building’s installer or fitter. When installing door hardware, it’s important to ensure that you’re using either an approved or accredited installer.

The person fitting should be fully trained, as hardware that is installed incorrectly will not function properly, and can be more susceptible to damage and accidents.

Appropriate staff training

According to comparethemarket.com, 54% of people in the UK wouldn’t know what to do in the event of a fire.

History reveals that if the appropriate fire safety plans aren’t in place during a fire, businesses could be faced with severe repercussions. For starters, they’ll have to deal with a large fine on account of breaching regulations.

Then comes the added weight of a fractured reputation, followed by the burden of rebuilding a damaged property and the additional costs that come with that, too.

Not to mention that taking simple measures could be the difference between life and death – the sort of responsibility business owners wouldn’t want hanging over them.

All in all; it’s safe to say that implementing the basic necessary precautions is something every business should be doing. This starts with ensuring staff and employees are up-to-date with fire safety training.

Not only will they be clear of an evacuation plan, but it will also tune employees into how to spot fire doors and door hardware that aren’t working properly. For example, if a member of staff comes across a faulty door closer, they’ll know to report the finding to the appropriate person to get it sorted.

Keeping compliant with Fire Safety Regulations is a requirement for ensuring the utmost safety in any kind of environment. Don’t risk compliance when it comes to fire safety. Rest assured, peace of mind is better than leaving it to guess-work.

www.allegion.co.uk