7 Simple Tips to Ensure Fire Door Compliance
Fire doors
are integral components of any building’s fire protection design.
As we
know, fire doors protect against the spread of fire and smoke within a building.
Tragic fires have led to the revision of codes related to fire doors more
recently, but with all the other responsibilities of running a large facility,
fire doors often fall to the wayside. However, should a fire occur, fire doors
are critical to the safety and well-being of building occupants and emergency
responders.
Although
it is well-known that annual fire door inspections are required by NFPA code,
this isn’t always enough to ensure code compliance. To ensure optimal fire door
efficiency, follow these 7 Simple Tips for Fire Door Compliance:
- Pay Attention to Your Doors. Simply
by paying attention to the operation of your doors while moving through your
facility on a regular basis, you can catch damaged or compromised door
assemblies before they become larger problems. If a door is not latching
properly, make sure to take note and get it repaired as soon as possible. NFPA
80 requires that any repairs and defects that could interfere with operation be
repaired without delay.
- Operate Open Doors Regularly. Some
fire doors are designed to remain in the open position until the self-closing
device is activated. NFPA 80 recommends that these doors are operated at fixed
intervals to ensure that they properly operate. Self-closing devices could
unintentionally become stuck or non-operational over time. Testing these doors
on a regular basis ensures they will close properly in the case of a fire.
- Use Caution When Painting Doors. Make
sure not to paint over fusible links or other heat-actuated or release devices,
which could prohibit the activation of self-closing devices. Also prevent any
paint from accumulating on any moveable parts as it could prevent the door from
moving and latching in the closed position. NFPA 80 mandates that a label
indicating the fire rating of the frame be permanently affixed to the door or
frame. Painting over this label can be costly.
- Ensure Documentation is Current. NFPA 80
requires thorough documentation of any inspections and repairs made to your
fire doors. Make sure that any repairs or modifications made are documented
properly. This will not only suffice for AHJ approval, but will also help you
to stay organized and aware of the condition of your fire doors.
- Do Not Make Modifications Before Checking With
a Professional. Often, doors and frames have additional hardware that prohibits
the door from functioning properly. Before making any modifications to fire
doors or the door assembly, contact the manufacturer or testing laboratory
(i.e., Intertek) whose label is affixed to the door. Many field modifications
such as kick plates, door stoppers, etc. will prohibit the door from
functioning as designed and is therefore not compliant. The door manufacturer
and/or testing laboratory will be able to guide you in making proper modifications
without compromising the integrity of the fire door.
- Educate Other Staff Members on Importance of
Closing Fire Doors. NFPA 80 requires that fire doors are operable at all times and
kept closed and latched or arranged for automatic closing. One of the top cited
issues during Joint Commission surveys is blocked fire doors due to clutter in
the hallway. Make sure the staff in your facility is aware that you cannot
ensure reliable fire door performance unless doorways remain clear of anything
that could obstruct or interfere with the door’s operation. Blocking or wedging
doors in the open position must be prohibited.
- Make Annual Inspections & Testing a
Priority. NFPA 80 requires the annual inspection and testing of fire door
assemblies by individuals with knowledge and understanding of the operating
components of fire doors. Staying on top of these inspections can help to
ensure that your fire doors and frames are working as intended. Annual
inspections are more detailed and will catch problems or deficiencies that you
may not otherwise notice. If you are not aware of the intricacies of fire door
assemblies, using a professional contractor may be your best option.
Setting up a maintenance plan with these tips in mind can help you find
and repair any issues with your fire doors more quickly and ensure your
compliance at all times.
SOURCE: PREVENT LSS