By Heather Bender
Fire-rated counter doors are a staple for counter-height openings in areas such as cafeterias, laboratories, and concession stands to contain and control a space in the event of a fire. Constructed of steel, this door style is engineered to withstand flames and extremely high temperatures for several hours, making it an important component in a building’s larger fire protection system.
More than just a safety component, fire-rated counter doors also offer a variety of colors and sleek, compact designs, making them a versatile option capable of complementing a variety of applications. To get up to speed on all the features and benefits available in a fire-rated counter door, here is a closer look at what they offer.
Fire safety features
One of the most dangerous aspects of any fire is the toxic smoke it releases into the air. Fire-rated counter doors are designed to contain flames and control intense heat, even around the door perimeter. To prevent dangerous smoke infiltration, some door models include integrated gasketing to control drafts and limit smoke’s ability to pass through the door. Some gasket systems are “S” labeled, indicating they are tested to UL 1784, Standard for Safety of Air Leakage Tests of Door Assemblies, which is required by many provisions of the International Building Code (IBC).
To meet the UL 1784 standard, the air leakage rate of the door assembly cannot exceed 0.1 m3 (3.0 cf) per minute per square foot of door opening at both an ambient temperature and an elevated temperature of 204 C (400 F). While the air leakage performance criteria outlined in the UL 1784 standard do not directly address counter doors, the architects, engineers, and specifiers who use them can benefit from this feature in several ways.
- Compliance with building codes. Building codes mandate specific fire safety measures, and smoke and draft control are crucial requirements. By specifying fire-rated counter doors that meet the UL 1784 standard, building professionals ensure their buildings adhere to these codes. This avoids potential delays or non-compliance issues during inspections.
- Personal injury and property loss. Fire-rated counter doors with the UL-listed air leakage performance package restrict early smoke migration, which helps prevent smoke damage to property and inventories.
- Project documentation. Specifying fire-rated counter doors with UL-listed air leakage performance provides clear documentation for the project. This can be helpful during inspections, building handover, and future maintenance processes.
Since fire-rated counter doors are frequently specified in commercial construction for areas where food prep or other equipment can create an opportunity for fire, having a counter door that meets the UL 1784 standard provides enhanced safety for building owners and occupants. A counter door with an integrated smoke-blocking gasket system and good air leakage performance can help contain a fire within its zone, creating safer evacuation conditions and allowing firefighters to control the fire more effectively. For occupants in the area, a high-performance gasket system on a counter door can help limit smoke inhalation and aid visibility for faster escape.
Other available fire safety features of fire-rated counter doors include a UL label for up to three hours of fire protection and a failsafe in-tube motor or in-tube crank operator to ensure dependable door operation, and optional integration with the building’s fire alarm control panel or activation by local smoke detectors. When the door is tied to the fire alarm control panel or smoke detectors, an electrical signal during a fire event triggers the door to close.
From an operational perspective, hand-crank, push-up, and motor options allow designers and specifiers to choose how door users will open and close the curtain. Models supported by a guide assembly attached to the jamb construction do not require additional header support for any of these operational options unless the door’s opening width is especially large. This can be an added advantage where limited space is a factor.
Overall, specifying fire-rated counter doors with safety features that meet UL 1784’s air leakage criteria is a win-win. The specifier benefits from reduced liability and clear project documentation, while the building owner and its occupants have enhanced fire protection provided by smoke and draft control and dependable operation in a fire emergency.
Attention to aesthetics
Recognizing that every door, even a fire-rated counter door, contributes to interior design and impacts overall aesthetics, manufacturers offer models that account for form as well as function.
To integrate seamlessly and naturally into a broader range of design contexts, some manufacturers produce fire-rated counter door models with low-profile tube operators tucked seamlessly into a compact coil box with end caps that hide the end assemblies. Likewise, curtain bottom bars on some models sit flush with the door’s headbox when the door is open, creating a soffit-like look and adding to the clean appearance. The smoke gasket system for fire protection can also be concealed in the guides, and a color-matched hood, brackets, guides, and bottom bar can complete the sleek, cohesive aesthetic.
Materials include galvanized and stainless steel options and doors are available in a vibrant palette of powder coat colors and finishes. For applications that require a more durable finish, manufacturers may offer an upgrade to a polyester-based, textured clear coat that provides increased resistance to curtain corrosion and more durable wearability against abrasion and scratching during cycling. This array of colors and protective finish options provides designers with the freedom to fine-tune the look of the counter door without sacrificing its fire-protective features.
Compact size
Fire-rated counter door manufacturers have always kept an eye on size, paying particularly close attention to available headroom to mount the assembly. The latest updates boast a further refinement in engineering, offering the smallest footprint of any fire-rated counter door to date, starting with a 216-mm (8.5-in.) headroom requirement for the tube motor option and the new tubular awning crank option. Products of this type typically require 305 to 356 mm (12 to 14 in.) of headroom, so this feature adds an important component to the options for design professionals.
A complete package
The fire-rated counter door is one example of how engineering and aesthetics can work together to deliver better safety features and dependable function without forgetting about design. From compact, low-profile components to color-matched finishes, fire-rated counter doors now complement a wider range of architectural styles and contexts with a modest footprint that allows for efficient use of space—a combination that may find these doors rolling up in some unexpected places.
Author
Heather Bender is the director of commercial product marketing at Clopay Corporation, with 16 years of experience in manufacturing and building materials. Excelling in product management, she adeptly handles product inception to commercialization. Her role involves finding unique solutions for building owners and designers, highlighting her strategic and innovative approach to complex industry challenges. Bender can be contacted at hbender@clopay.com.
