Most people don’t give a second thought to the entry door between your garage and house. This entry door is actually the most necessary component of one’s home. For those not familiar with fire doors, you probably don’t believe this claim.

Think about what is regularly stored inside a garage; lawnmowers, automobiles, and the oil and gas contained inside each piece of machinery. Items like these, all within proximity of one another, make the garage a hotbed of potential fire-starting material. If you let your imagination run wild, a hundred scenarios that can cause a house fire will pop into your head.

Now, what’s standing between your garage and home? The entry door. 

What is a Fire Door? Why Are Home Fire Doors Important?

This particular entry door is referred to as a fire door. The purpose of a fire door is to hold off a garage fire from entering the home.

Are Older Homes at Risk?

Inadequate entry doors in this entry point are mostly seen within older homes. Chances are that this entry door is a hollow core door comprised of two thin plywood layers with nothing filling the empty space. This style of door will not protect again garage fires. In fact, this material will easily fuel a fire. The obvious lack of safety here is why national fire codes were developed.

City of Omaha Fire Door Regulation

In the city of Omaha, residential doors leading to the garage must be 20-minute fire rated. This means the entry door can hold back flames from spreading into your home for a minimum of 20 minutes. This window of time gives you the opportunity to reach safety and possibly enough time to extinguish a garage fire before the rest of your home is up in flames.

What’s the Difference Between Fire Doors and Standard Doors?

The simple answer is the special materials used throughout a fire door.

1. 1. 1. The Door’s Core
         Auto-froth foam fills the space within the door slabs. The auto-froth foam acts as insulation day-to-day, BUT in an event of a garage fire, the foam swells within the door’s core putting pressure on the door frame creating a tight barrier from the garage.
      2. Weather Stripping
         The type of weather stripping used on a fire door is tested and UL certified to resist flames. UL Solutions is a safety organization that sets industry-wide safety standards for various products. You can look at your door to see if the UL Certified Seal is present.
      3. Hinges
         A fire door has two spring-loaded hinges. Spring-loaded hinges are engineered to swing the door shut avoiding the possibility of the door accidentally being left open and your home without a barrier from a garage fire.
      4. Deadbolt and Doorknob
         The exterior of both the deadbolt and doorknob will look normal, but internally, the mechanism is fire rated. You will find a UL Certified logo for these parts too.

How Can You Tell if a Door is a Fire Door? 

A fire door is required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to have a fire-rated label that remains legible throughout the lifespan of the door. You will find the fire-rated label on the door’s edge on the hinge side.

If you cannot find the door label, there is no proof the door has been inspected and meets required safety standards. Your next step should be to have a certified fire door installed.

Importance of Commercial Fire Doors in Omaha

Commercial fire doors play a critical role in protecting lives and property during a fire emergency. These specialized commercial doors are designed to withstand heat, contain fire, and prevent the spread of smoke between different areas of a building. They serve as a vital component of any fire protection system, offering businesses not only protection but also compliance with local and national safety regulations.

The Role of Commercial Fire Doors

A fire in a commercial building can spread rapidly, threatening occupants, employees, and customers while causing significant property damage. Fire doors are strategically installed in key areas to create a barrier, allowing people to safely exit and reducing the spread of fire and smoke. By maintaining the integrity of specific compartments within a building, fire doors can buy precious time for evacuation and for emergency services to respond.

These commercial fire doors are constructed from materials such as steel, gypsum, or fire-resistant wood, and they often feature fire-rated glass to ensure visibility. Fire doors are tested and rated based on the duration they can withstand fire exposure, typically ranging from 20 minutes to 3 hours.

Omaha Regulations for Commercial Fire Doors

In Omaha, as in many cities, the installation and maintenance of commercial fire doors are governed by strict regulations to ensure compliance with national standards like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Building Code (IBC). Here are some key guidelines specific to Omaha:

Fire-Rated Door Requirements: Commercial buildings in Omaha are required to install fire-rated doors in areas such as stairwells, corridors, and any fire-resistance-rated walls. The rating of these doors must align with the wall’s fire rating, meaning the door’s ability to resist fire should match the wall’s designed protection.

Self-Closing Mechanisms: Omaha’s building codes mandate that fire doors are equipped with self-closing devices to ensure that they automatically close during a fire. Propped-open doors can negate the safety function of these fire barriers, which is why the proper maintenance of self-closing devices is critical.

Regular Inspections: Businesses are required to regularly inspect their fire doors to ensure they are in working order. Any damage to the door, such as gaps, warping, or faulty latches, could compromise its ability to prevent the spread of fire. Omaha’s fire code specifies that these doors should be inspected annually by a certified technician.

Accessibility Considerations: Fire doors in Omaha must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that all occupants, including those with disabilities, can safely exit the building in case of an emergency.

Other Considerations for Commercial Fire Doors

Beyond regulations, there are other important factors to consider when installing and maintaining commercial fire doors:

Proper Installation: It is essential that fire doors are installed by certified professionals to ensure they meet all necessary codes. Improper installation can lead to gaps that allow smoke or flames to pass through.

Material and Durability: The choice of material for fire doors should reflect both the building’s fire risk and its daily usage. For example, steel doors may be preferable in high-traffic areas, while fire-resistant wood might be chosen for areas where aesthetics are important.

Maintenance and Repairs: Fire doors require routine maintenance to remain effective. Business owners should schedule regular checks to verify that hinges, seals, and latches are functioning correctly. Any necessary repairs should be handled promptly to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with Omaha fire codes.

Smoke Control: Some commercial fire doors are equipped with smoke seals that prevent toxic gases from seeping through. This is especially important in multi-story buildings where stairwells and hallways can become hazardous during a fire.

For business owners in Omaha, installing and maintaining commercial fire doors is not just about meeting regulations—it’s about ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and property. By investing in high-quality fire doors and adhering to local building codes, businesses can mitigate the risk of fire, protect their assets, and create a safer environment for all.

Where to Find Top Quality Fire Doors in Omaha? 

Contact Omaha Door & Window to install a fire door. All the hardware used by ODW is UL certified to meet city and state fire codes. ODW also offers standard and custom-size fire doors to fit all entry openings. If you are in the middle of renovating your home, we also have a variety of styles and color options for you to select from. A fire door can both protect your home AND match its aesthetic.

Come visit our Showroom to see our doors in person!