Rookdeuren

Rookdeuren are doors designed to limit the spread of smoke in buildings and to protect escape routes during a fire. They form part of a building’s passive fire protection by restricting smoke movement, thereby improving tenable conditions for occupants and allowing more time for evacuation and for firefighting operations.

A rookdeur is typically a fire-rated door that incorporates seals and gasketing to minimize both heat transfer and smoke leakage. Construction can vary from wooden to metal or composite cores, and doors are often single or double leaves mounted in a reinforced frame. Common features include intumescent strips, door seals around the perimeter, and closely fitting gaps at the floor and frame. Many rookdeuren are equipped with automatic door closers and, in some cases, hold-open devices that release on fire alarm activation to ensure the door closes in an emergency.

Rookdeuren are normally tested and rated for both fire resistance and smoke control. In Europe and many other regions, the performance is described by a fire-resistance rating (for example, 30, 60 or 90 minutes) and through compliance with standards that address smoke leakage and containment. The exact requirements depend on national building codes and local regulations, and installations must be carried out according to professional standards to ensure the door performs as intended in a fire event.

Applications for rookdeuren include corridors, stairwells, entrances to mechanical rooms, hospitals, schools, and other facilities where restricting smoke spread is important for safety. Regular maintenance is essential: seals, closers, and hardware should be inspected, and any damage to the door or frame should be repaired to preserve performance. In practice, rookdeuren are often used in conjunction with branddeuren (fire doors) to provide comprehensive containment of both flames and smoke.