1. Differences in Materials
Wooden fire doors are made of wood; the door frame, door leaf skeleton, and panels are typically constructed from timber, meeting the relevant fire-resistance rating standards. Steel fire doors are made of steel. In addition to the steel frame, components such as the skeleton, panels, and infill material must be non-toxic, eco-friendly, and fire-resistant/insulating. When combined with the necessary hardware, they form a compliant fire-resistant door.
2. Differences in Installation
For wooden fire doors, the frame dimensions must be 20 mm smaller than the rough opening, and the bottom of the frame must be embedded 20 mm into the floor. The frame must be securely anchored to the wall. During installation (setting and bracing the frame), care must be taken to ensure it is plumb, square, and straight to avoid the need for excessive planing. There must be at least three fixing points on each side of the frame, spaced no more than 800 mm apart. For steel fire doors, potential frame deformation must be considered; the frame width should be braced with timber supports, and the bottom embedded 20 mm into the floor. The frame is then welded to pre-embedded wall components. Finally, an opening is made in the wall above the frame to pour in a concrete mixture (cement, sand, and expanded perlite), which is allowed to set before use.
3. Differences in Performance Requirements
For wooden fire doors, the frame thickness must exceed 50 mm, and the door leaf must utilize double-tenon joinery; the tenon and mortise must fit tightly, be bonded with adhesive, and be secured with glued wedges. For steel fire doors, the overlap between the door leaf and the frame must be at least 10 mm, and the gap between them must not exceed 4 mm. Excessive gaps after installation would compromise the door's sealing performance, rendering it ineffective at containing fire and smoke.
Summary
The above outlines the differences between wooden and steel fire doors. As the article demonstrates, they differ in terms of materials, installation, and performance requirements. When selecting a fire door for practical use, it is essential to consider the installation environment and specific needs to ensure effective fire protection and better safeguard the safety of property and lives.