Being prepared for any emergency is a key part of being able to react properly. When it comes to commercial buildings and the safety of occupants, how you prepare and maintain your exit doors can make a huge difference. 

From understanding your products to helping you schedule planned maintenance, here are some ways you can ensure your exit doors are functioning properly. 

The Crucial Role Exit Doors Play in Building Safety

Exit doors are more than just points of egress; they play a crucial role in the safety of the building’s occupants during an emergency. These doors are strategically placed throughout the building to allow for quick and easy evacuation in an emergency situation. Since these doors play such a critical role, there are a few features that they need to be effective.

Key Features of Effective Emergency Exit Doors

With emergency exit doors, there are some features that are non-negotiable. 

The doors must be durable and constructed from fire-resistant materials that can withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of smoke and flames. 

They also need to be able to provide adequate security for your building, deterring unwanted access while still being easy to open from the inside in the event of an evacuation. 

Emergency exit doors should be equipped with panic hardware, such as a panic bar, to allow occupants to leave easily without having to use a complex mechanism to open the door.

These features are often required by government regulations, which makes understanding those regulations a big part of successful emergency preparation. 

Understand Your Local Building Codes and Regulations

Emergency exit doors are strictly governed by municipal, provincial, and federal building codes. These codes set specific standards that must be adhered to and understanding them is the best way to ensure you are prepared for anything.

The main things that are covered by building codes include:

• Proper Installation: Doors must be correctly installed, including proper hardware and signage, by a licensed professional.
• Regular Inspections: Regular inspections from an experienced technician are required to identify and address any potential problems.
• Clear Pathways: All exit routes must be clearly marked and free of any blockages.
• Proper Signage: All exit signs must be visible and illuminated.

Failure to comply with building codes can compromise the safety of building occupants and lead to severe penalties. Fortunately, Creative Door Services is here to help. We are familiar with the rules and regulations of the Western Canadian regions we service and can help you choose products that comply with all active safety standards and requirements.

Choosing the Right Exit Doors 

Ultimately, getting the best functionality out of your exit doors comes down to one simple action: making sure you choose the best ones for your needs. 

Work with the professionals at Creative Door Services, and we can help you evaluate the different models, comparing fire ratings, aesthetics, ease of use, and other features. 

We only work with tried-and-true brands that we trust, giving us the best stock on the market. For example, Creative Door Services carries Won-Door products, such as:

• Won-Door Fireguard: Fireguard doors are used extensively in facilities throughout the world, including hospitals, educational institutions, airports, and even places of worship. Plus, if you want design flexibility, Won-Door Fireguard absolutely delivers!
• Won-Door Steelguard: When it comes to horizontal security doors, Steelguard doors are the gold standard. That’s why we use them! They can integrate beautifully into your building for safety and security.
• Won-Door FireGuard Moveable Fire Wall: The solution you’re looking for, FireGuard Moveable Fire Wall has been engineered to be unconstrained by size, making it a fantastic solution for larger openings. 

When you do choose a door, remember to call us for maintenance, too. After all, even the best doors require tweaks here and there.

Regular Maintenance Ensures Optimal Performance

Broken parts, misalignments, and other issues could prevent your doors from opening or closing when you need them most, making regular inspections and maintenance are key parts of emergency preparedness.

Hinges, locks, and latches should all be thoroughly checked to ensure they aren’t compromised, and the door’s functionality, hardware, and signage should be inspected for issues. Any damage should be noted and repaired immediately to ensure your exit doors work as intended when you need them most.

Professional maintenance from Creative Door Services is a vital part of keeping your exit doors in top shape. We understand that different businesses have different needs, and we adjust our maintenance plans accordingly. 

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Make Creative Door Services Your Partners in Emergency Preparedness Today

Creative Door Services carries a comprehensive selection of exit doors and solutions, including high-speed, high-cycle door systems, fire separation doors, gates, and access control systems, exclusively from brands we believe in. With our product catalogue and our ready stock of repair and replacement parts for quick and reliable fixes, Creative Door Services is ready to tackle all your exit door needs. 

Thanks to over 55 years of experience working with countless other facility managers, we have the knowledge necessary to ensure you get what you’re looking for. We get the job done safely and efficiently, with fully trained and certified technicians. 

With 24/7 emergency availability, we can be there when you need us! We have many convenient locations throughout Western Canada to better serve you: Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Contact your nearest location today for assistance.