Fire Doors and Finger Guards in Schools: Can You Improve One Type of Safety Without Compromising Another?
Fire doors are a critical component of a school’s safety infrastructure. They are designed to protect escape routes, contain fire and smoke, and provide occupants with sufficient time to evacuate safely. But these same doors are also used continuously throughout the school day. Students, staff and visitors rely on them as part of normal movement within the building. As a result, fire doors must function effectively not only in emergency conditions but also during routine use. This creates a practical challenge for schools. The challenge is to improve everyday door safety, specifically regarding finger trapping risks, without compromising the fire door’s primary function. The dual safety requirement Fire doors are different from standard internal doors in some ways. They are heavier, fitted with self-closing mechanisms and installed in locations where fire containment is critical, like escape routes or stairwells. These characteristics can increase the risk and severity of fin...