October is Fire Safety Month, but it shouldn't be a month-long thing. At Masonite, we are committed to making sure you have the knowledge you need to keep your home safe, especially when it comes to your doors.
When we think about fire safety, many of us consider smoke alarms, fire extinguishers or an escape plan — but did you know that your doors play a key role in protecting your home and loved ones during a home fire?
Choosing high-quality fire-rated doors can contain the spread of fire and smoke should a fire occur in your home, giving you precious time to act. We recently spoke with Jim Theobald, Fire Academy Coordinator at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy, who shared with us the importance of doors in delaying the spread of fire. Jim said, “We as firefighters love fire-rated doors. They provide us ample opportunity to make the saves we need to and fight the fires we need to.”
Leading up to this year’s National Fire Prevention Week, which takes place October 6 – 12, we’re highlighting the importance of doors that enhance the safety of your home and walking you through how selecting the right door is a critical part of any fire prevention plan.
Fire-rated doors are specifically designed with fire safety in mind. These doors are engineered to resist high heat and block harmful smoke from spreading to other areas of the house. Whether interior or exterior, these doors are rated based on how long they can withstand fire — typically 20, 60 or 90 minutes.
Fire-rated doors aren’t just about meeting building codes; they provide an essential layer of safety. In an emergency, these doors help contain the fire and give you the extra time needed to execute an escape plan. They help make sure exit routes remain clear and accessible, improving the chances of everyone staying safe.
For more comprehensive fire safety tips and escape planning insights, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) provides an array of educational materials and guidelines for homeowners.
When upgrading your current doors, choosing a fire-rated option from Masonite is a decision you can feel confident about. All of our fire-rated doors undergo extensive testing to ensure they meet the most stringent safety codes. Whether you’re choosing an exterior door or an interior door, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your door meets the industry’s highest fire safety standards.
With Masonite, you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. Our fire-rated doors are available as wood, steel and fiberglass options and come in styles suitable for any home. Whether you’re upgrading your garage-to-home door or replacing an interior door, Masonite has a fire-rated option that fits your home’s look while enhancing its fire prevention capabilities.
Explore our fire-rated door selection and learn more about how these doors can help keep your home safe.
Certain areas in your home are more susceptible to fire hazards, making fire-rated doors even more essential in those locations. Here’s a look at where fire-rated doors can have the most impact:
Garages often house flammable materials and vehicles that can quickly ignite. Installing a fire-rated door leading from the garage to your home can be a critical buffer in a home fire. Consider options like the Square 2 Panel.
Designed with durable steel construction, the Square 2 Panel comes standard with a 20-minute fire rating and is available with up to a 90-minute rating. For those looking for a fiberglass door, the Lincoln Park 1 Panel is a stylish, high-performance option.
Browse more Masonite fire-rated garage-to-home doors here.
Basements often contain utilities such as furnaces or water heaters that can malfunction and cause fires. A fire-rated door helps contain any fire in the basement and keeps it from spreading. A door like the 2 Panel Roman Smooth can offer fire-rated protection while still providing a stylish option in the home.
Laundry rooms, with their appliances and potential electrical issues, are another common source of fire hazards. A fire-rated door in this area can help contain any fire and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the house.
Doors like the Livingston 3 panel are available as a fire-rated option and are made with up to 70% more material to help dampen noise from a busy laundry room. That extra material also makes the door more durable to normal wear and tear.
Related: Create a Laundry Room That Wows
Connecting areas are essential paths for evacuation during a fire. Installing fire-rated doors in hallways and stairwells ensures that fire and smoke are contained, helping you and your loved ones escape safely.
Doors like the Berkley 7 Panel Horizontal are ideal for areas with a lot of foot traffic. It's available in a variety of colors and as a fire-rated option.
Incorporating fire-rated doors into your home is an important step, but understanding how they perform best is key to ensuring they work in an emergency. Here's a brief fire safety awareness checklist specifically for doors to help keep your home protected:
Fire safety should be a priority for every homeowner, and fire-rated doors provide a crucial layer of protection. These doors can help contain a fire, protect your family and give you extra time to escape. Whether you're planning a home renovation or simply looking to upgrade outdated doors, choosing a fire-rated door is a smart investment in your home’s safety.
Whether you want to keep the air in or out of your home, fiberglass exterior doors from Masonite can help.
A front door is an important piece of your home that should be appropriately cared for and maintained to optimize its performance.
Whether you're looking for better energy efficiency or peace and quiet in your home, doors are surprisingly able to meet these needs.
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