Glossary - Smoke Seals

Definition

Smoke Seals are essential fire protection components designed to prevent the passage of smoke through door gaps and openings in the early stages of a fire. Positioned around the edges of fire doors, these seals are crucial for maintaining the integrity of a building's fire safety barriers, offering enhanced protection against the dangers of smoke inhalation and visibility reduction during a fire.

What They Are

Smoke seals are made from brush or rubber strips. They are installed in the door frame or on the door itself, effectively sealing off gaps to block the passage of smoke. The brush or rubber elements provide a continuous barrier to smoke, ensuring protection is in place from the outset of a fire.

How They Work

The primary function of smoke seals is to fill the gaps between the fire door and its frame when a fire occurs, creating a smoke-tight barrier. This is achieved through:

• Physical Barrier: Brush or rubber elements act as a physical barrier to smoke, effective even before the heat has risen enough to activate the intumescent material.

  
  

This approach ensures that smoke, which is often the first and most dangerous element of a fire to spread, is contained alongside the fire itself.

Smoke seals play a pivotal role in the comprehensive strategy of fire protection and safety within buildings. Their inclusion in fire door assemblies is not just a matter of regulatory compliance, but a critical measure for safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring the wellbeing of occupants in the event of a fire.