What is an essential feature of fire doors?

Fire doors are specifically designed to contain fire and smoke, significantly enhancing safety within a building. Their primary function is to compartmentalize areas, preventing the spread of fire from one section to another, which allows for safer evacuation routes and limits property damage during a fire incident.

By slowing the movement of flames and smoke, fire doors can provide critical time for occupants to escape and for emergency responders to control the fire. They are built from materials that can withstand high temperatures, often featuring special seals that close off gaps when the door is closed, further enhancing their effectiveness in smoke containment.

In contrast, while the other options involve aspects relating to building safety and design, they do not address the fundamental purpose of fire doors as effectively as this particular feature does. Ventilation increase, aesthetic considerations, and the misconception that fire doors are only necessary in commercial buildings are secondary and do not align with the primary goal of fire doors in enhancing fire safety.