Selection of Fire Door Panel Materials: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Takeaways

1. Steel Panels: 0.8-1.5mm galvanized steel sheets with 30-120 minutes fire resistance, suitable for 90% of civil and industrial applications.

2. Wooden Fireproof Panels: Made from flame-retardant treated pine or birch, offering aesthetic appeal for hotels and offices with high decorative requirements.

3. Stainless Steel Panels: 304/316L stainless steel with superior corrosion resistance, ideal for chemical plants and coastal areas.

4. Composite Glass Panels: Fire-resistant glass with metal frames, providing over 70% light transmittance and 60-minute fire resistance for emergency exits.

5. Ceramic Fiber Panels: Withstands 1600°C, designed for extreme environments like power plants and steel mills.

1. Steel Panels: The Most Versatile Option

Material Properties:

• Base material: Cold-rolled galvanized steel sheet (zinc coating ≥60g/m²), thickness 0.8mm (Grade C) to 1.5mm (Grade A).

• Surface treated with epoxy powder coating, passing 2000-hour salt spray test without corrosion.

Performance Advantages:

• Fire resistance correlates with thickness: 1.0mm panels pass 60-minute fire test (GB12955 standard).

• Impact resistance reaches 1.5kJ/m², twice that of wooden doors.

• Low lifecycle maintenance costs, suitable for large-scale applications.

Typical Applications:

• High-rise residential stairwells (1.2mm panel with perlite filling).

• Underground parking lots (1.0mm panel with moisture-proof coating).

2. Wooden Fireproof Panels: Balancing Aesthetics and Safety

Treatment Process:

• Core wood undergoes vacuum-pressure treatment with flame retardant, achieving oxygen index ≥32% (vs. 18% for regular wood).

• Surface veneers like walnut or cherry, with formaldehyde emission ≤0.05mg/m³ (EN717-1 standard).

Applications:

• Luxury hotel guest rooms (with automatic door closers).

• Historical building renovations (requiring visual harmony).

3. Stainless Steel Panels: Solution for Extreme Environments

Material Types:

• 304 Stainless Steel: Contains 18% Cr and 8% Ni, suitable for general corrosive environments.

• 316L Stainless Steel: With 2% Mo, improves acid/alkali resistance by 50%.

Key Parameters:

• Thickness: 1.2-2.0mm, thermal conductivity 16W/(m·K) (vs. 45W/(m·K) for steel).

• Service life exceeds 25 years, 1.6 times longer than galvanized steel.

Case Examples:

• Seafood market cold storage doors (316L with low-temperature seals).

• Chemical lab explosion-proof doors (resistant to 98% sulfuric acid).

4. Composite Glass Panels: Transparent Fire Protection

Structure Design:

• Double-layer cesium-potassium fireproof glass (6mm+6mm) with stainless steel frame.

• Light transmittance 72%-85%, UV blocking ≥99%.

Performance Verification:

• Maintains integrity for 60 minutes with backside temperature ≤180°C.

• Sound insulation: 35dB (at 500Hz frequency).

Innovative Uses:

• Hospital ICU observation windows.

• Shopping mall fire compartments (with wayfinding function).

5. Ceramic Fiber Panels: Ultra-High Temperature Protection

Material Composition:

• Alumina-silica fiber, density 220kg/m³.

• Melting point 1750°C, thermal shrinkage ≤2% (tested at 1000°C).

Test Data:

• Fire resistance: 240 minutes (GB/T9978 standard).

• Thermal shock resistance: 20 cycles of 1100°C rapid cooling/heating without cracking.

Critical Applications:

• Steel furnace operator cabins.

• Spacecraft test chamber barriers.

6. Selection Decision Tree

Match materials to needs:

1. Standard fire protection → Steel panels (1.0mm)

2. Aesthetics priority → Wooden fireproof panels (Class B1)

3. Highly corrosive environments → 316L stainless steel

4. Visibility required → Composite glass panels

5. Extreme high temperature → Ceramic fiber

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can wooden fire doors really resist fire?

A: Properly treated products form a carbonized insulating layer when exposed to fire. Tests show no flames on the unexposed side for 60 minutes, but prolonged moisture exposure may degrade effectiveness.

Q2: Why are glass fire doors common in hospitals?

A: Transparency reduces patient anxiety while meeting 60-minute fire separation codes. Must use cesium-potassium fireproof glass (not tempered glass).

Q3: How much heavier are stainless steel doors vs steel doors?

A: Approximately 25% heavier due to higher density, requiring reinforced hinges (load capacity ≥80kg).

Q4: Can ceramic fiber doors use regular locks?

A: No, they require high-temperature locks (operating temperature ≥1000°C). Standard locks fail at 300°C.