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Hi there!
Are you meeting the standard?

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding building codes. That’s why we’ve assembled a handy checklist that helps you make sure that your elevator shaft protection is meeting life safety building codes. Complete the form below to download your safety guide.

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We Know the Code

Total Door Systems makes integrated door systems that meet the strictest fire and smoke containment building codes.
We’re the expert, so that you don’t have to be. Total Door Systems meets all life safety and sustainability certifications:

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// LIFE SAVING CODES

For Elevator Shaft Protection, Focus on Three Basic Ideas.

When fire breaks out in a high rise, the elevator hoistway can become a chimney, spreading smoke from floor to floor. Building codes focus on three basic ideas: stopping the spread of smoke, allowing an easy exit, and creating a field of vision for fire fighters.

Five life saving codes break those goals down this way:

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Both smoke and fire protection are required.

Most deaths during a fire are attributed to smoke inhalation. If your elevator hoistway protection is only fire-rated, you're only halfway there. Code requires swing doors protecting elevators be both fire- and smoke-rated and labeled as such.

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Don’t obstruct the exit when the elevator car is open.

In other words, people must be able to get out quickly and easily, with nothing in their way.

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Firefighters need to see what they’re walking into.

Essentially, your elevator hoistway protection door needs a window. But not just any window. If your door is fire- and smoke-rated, the glass must support the rating of the door.

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No “artificial bottom seal” during testing.

Many manufacturers use duct tape across the bottom of the door to seal off the undercut during testing. That allows testing of the headers and jambs for air leakage and listing of those parts as meeting the standard. Products that protect life safety, however, need to show certified proof that they’ve been tested without such a seal so that users can be sure that the door system contains smoke and fire, and gives people precious time to escape.

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No special keys, tools, or secret handshake.

Even a rated elevator protection device must not require special keys, tools, or knowledge to open. When you’re rushing to leave a burning building, the last thing on your mind is finding the right Allen wrench to open a smoke containment device.

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So, do you meet the standard?
Download the checklist to find out.

Have more questions? Contact us at (800) 852-6660

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