Replies: Fire-rated doors • They slow down spread of fire and smoke

We thank Madam Lee Soo Mien for her letter "Raise awareness about closing mechanism of fire-rated doors" (Aug 4).

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All buildings in Singapore, including HDB flats, are required to be built in accordance with the prevailing Fire Code. Every HDB unit is fitted with a fire-rated entrance door and frame to contain fire and smoke, and prevent the spread of fire across units, except for units which directly face open corridors.

Under HDB's renovation guidelines, owners of flats replacing their fire-rated entrance door and frame must replace them with a new door and frame which are half-hour fire-rated, and the frame must be fitted with a self-closing device.

Proper closing of the fire-rated door can significantly slow down the spread of fire and smoke to adjoining areas.