Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 112 THE door industry journal spring 2022 Fire Doors, Safety & Security Ok, so these might be extreme examples and not your everyday enquiry, however, it is not uncommon for end-users to misunderstand the door specification they need for a project. Quoting and being successful in a steel door project is just as much about asking the right questions, as it is giving the customer exactly what they want. By going deeper behind the use case for each steel door and the reasons behind why your customer is requesting a certain feature, you can value engineer the right product, at the right price for the needs of the customer, often saving you and your customer money. Strongdor, take us through 6 of the top steel door features to consider when selecting the best door for your customer. Ventilation requirements Where does the door lead to? Are there any ventilation requirements, for example, a bin store or electrical cabinet? Selecting the right ventilation can also be important to ensure the door is fit for its purpose. A louvre panel inside a steel door can provide excellent free airflow, however, the percentage of air permeability depends on the size and type of the louvre panel. Free airflow in a standard Strongdor Steeldor can be as high as 50% free area, 36.6% when using insect mesh or 27% if PAS 24/ SBD specification is required. Insulation This is an increasingly common request, with customers looking to achieve the optimal thermal efficiency rating (U value), which complies with relevant regulations, alongside offering value for money. Steeldor thermal was developed to comply with door efficiency targets stipulated by the government in The Building Regulations 2010. The leaf has an insulated, internal Rockwool core enabling it to achieve a certified U-value of 1.9, compliant with the guidance of 2.0 for new dwellings and 2.2 for new commercial buildings. These door-sets meet the standards set out in the 2010 approved documents L1A and L2A. For projects that require higher thermal efficiency and those looking to comply with L1B and L2B, the Climador can be offered with a certified U value of 1.4 and can even offer a fire rating of up to 4 hours. Another thing to be aware of is the difference between a certified U value and an estimated (through the door) U value. Whilst the certified U value is tested on a fully installed door, giving a true reflection of insulation performance, an estimated U value only tests thermal performance directly through the door leaf. Fire door terminology When a customer requests a fire door, it is important to initially differentiate between a fire-rated door or a fire escape. Essentially fire-rated doors are used as a barrier to withhold smoke and fire for a specified period of time. Whereas a fire exit is a steel door fitted with a panic exit (push bars) used as a means of escape rather than to keep a fire in. A door can be both fire-rated and have a push bar fitted. Ensuring this difference is clarified with your client is It’s All in the Detail…The Art to Successful Specification and Installation of Steel Doors “I need a steel door with the highest acoustic rating possible…” “I definitely need an SR4 for my garden shed…” “I need the door to be fire rated to 6 hours, security rated, 56 Db, delivered tomorrow and cheap!” Do any of these enquiries sound familiar?
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