Inspecting Fire-Rated Doors

Fire-rated doors are an extremely important part of a building’s overall passive fire protection system. A properly operating fire door and fire assembly is a key component in the compartmentalization of a building to stop the spread of deadly fire and smoke.  The fire-resisted door assembly, which includes the frame and hardware, provides a specified degree of fire protection when the door is closed, and is composed of a surprisingly complex system of parts that allow the fire door to work properly in the event of a fire: the fire door, frame, fire exit hardware, door closers, hinges, locks, door bolts, and other door components.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Code Council (ICC) and International Fire Code (IFC) have all recognized the complexities of Fire Door Openings as a cause of concern and that the failures could possibly, if not certainly, compromise any given building’s fire protection system.   The latest edition of NFPA 80 (2007 Edition), Standard for Fire Doors and Other Protective Opening Protectives and the current version of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code® (2009 Edition), have both implemented stricter inspection guidelines for fire-rated assemblies to ensure proper operation in the event of a fire. NFPA 80, Section 5.2.1 states “Fire door assemblies shall be inspected and tested not less than annually, and a written record of the inspection shall be signed and kept for inspection by the AHJ.”  

The code looks at eleven (11) main points of inspection, which the Door and hardware Institute (DHI) has further broken down into over ninety (90) points detailing virtually every aspect of the fire door assembly for inspection and maintenance.  The main points the code requires an inspector to verify items such as door clearances and gaps, glazing and improper field modifications, door coordinators and more. While it’s understood that these points may seem like they aren’t necessarily large problems to correct, any deficiency could potentially cause a fire-door assembly to fail in the event of a fire, leaving the building’s occupants unprotected from the risk of fire.

Statistics suggest that the most common deficiency in fire doors in the event of a fire is the doors inability to actually close.  According to the Door Security & Safety Foundation, formerly the Foundation for the Advancement of Life Safety and Security, fire doors blocked to stay in the open position and the area surrounding the fire door assembly blocked by furniture, equipment and/or boxes are among the top ten reasons for fire door failures. Other factors that might cause a door to fail are outlined in the Door Security & Safety Foundation’s list of Top Ten Deficiencies when inspecting a fire-rated door assembly:

1.       Painted or missing Fire Door Labels

2.       Poor clearance dimensions around the perimeter of the door in the closed position

3.       Kick down door holders

4.       Auxiliary hardware items that interfere with the intended function of the door (barrel bolts and dead bolts, etc.)

5.       Fire doors blocked to stay in the open position

6.       Area surrounding the fire door assembly blocked by furniture, equipments and / or boxes

7.       Broken, defective or missing hardware items (latch bolts and/or strike plates, closer arms, cover plates, etc.)

8.       Fire exit hardware installed on doors that are not labeled for use with fire exit hardware

9.       Missing or incorrect fasteners

10.   Bottom flush bolts that do not project 1/2” into the strike

Inspecting swinging fire-rated doors need to be performed by individuals who have a thorough knowledge of fire door assemblies, and quite frankly, the door industry in general.  Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s) such as your local Fire Marshal or the Joint Commission may not have the necessary knowledge to perform these complex inspections.  Institutions such as the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) and the International Fire Door Inspector Association (IFDIA) have developed highly-technical certification programs to prepare inspectors in the field to perform the inspections at the magnitude in which the NFPA and Building Code suggests. These organizations are also dedicated to educating AHJ’s and Facility Managers about the code and the importance of having fire doors inspected and maintained annually.

Maintaining fire doors and ensuring the honesty of a building’s passive fire protection system is at the mercy of the building owner, facility managers and engineering managers.  These inspections are enforced by code and are absolutely critical in maintaining the safety of a commercial facility. Don’t neglect the inspection and maintenance procedures in your facility – create and implement an annual fire door inspection process and preserve the integrity of your building’s passive fire protection system as it was designed to be. 

Copyright  Life Safety Services, 2010