What Is the Difference Between Smoke and Intumescent Seals?
It’s a common query that we receive. What are the differences between smoke and Intumescent seals? Here we will provide some clarification on the differences as well as where and how to use them appropriately.
Firstly, What is an Intumescent Seal?
An intumescent strip is chemically designed to expand when exposed to extreme heat. Usually placed around door frames. Once a fire breaks out in a room, the heat causes the strip to expand and seal the gap around the frame to contain the fire. This gives you enough time to escape and call your nearest fire brigade for help. These seals not only protect you from a fire, but also minimise damage to the building. It does this by containing the fire to one area-preventing it from spreading.
They come in either 60 or 30 minute ratings, which denotes how long the material will function before failing. These 30 or 60 minutes are vital, they will give people chance to escape, or will buy people that are trapped time for the emergency services to arrive.
Smoke Seals
A smoke seal is different. Smoke seals are placed between the door frame and the door on all sides. These seals will stop smoke from passing through the gaps so that the rest of the building is not affected by toxic smoke – which can pose a threat to life.
Whereas fire seals only become visible when they expand in the case of a fire, smoke seals are constantly present and visible. They work by simply creating a barrier that smoke struggles to pass through.
So, What’s the Difference?
A smoke seal is placed in the same places as an intumescent strip, but it is always visible. While the intumescent strip blocks off the fire itself, the smoke seal is designed to only block smoke-protecting you from smoke inhalation.
Smoke seals and intumescent strips can indeed work well together. Certain variations of intumescent strips include smoke seals as part of their makeup:
Standard Intumescent strip and smoke seal: A regular fire and smoke seal will be fitted to a fire door. This will prevent both fire and smoke from seeping through the sides or bottom of the door.
Hygienic fire and smoke seal: This seal is popular for its easy-to-clean benefits. A simple wipe with a wet cloth will remove any dirt or dust and keep the seals looking like new. A great choice for hospitals, schools, and businesses.
Containing a fire to one room reduces the risk to life and damage to property, allowing plenty of time for people to evacuate safely and fire the fire service to arrive to handle the threat. For more information on how you can protect your building, contact us today.
