Scott Jeli, our Certified Fire + Egress Door Assembly Inspector (CFDI), sits down with us to talk about why your annual fire door inspections are so important. This is a guide for what every facility manager ought to know about NFPA 80 fire door inspections.
1. What’s the difference between a fire door and a regular door?
A regular door is not fire rated. A fire rated door means that the door has been tested in a furnace. All of the components have been tested in a big blast furnace. That’s why you see the difference in ratings, depending on how long it melts in the furnace. For it to even be a fire rated assembly, the hardware, door, and frame, and the wall have to be fire rated. If a part isn’t compliant, then the whole assembly has failed. The fire door is only as good as the lowest rated component of the assembly.
2. What is a fire door inspection?
The purpose of a fire door inspection is to make sure the fire door assembly is NFPA 80 compliant. Fire and egress doors are required to be inspected at least once annually in the state of Oregon and Washington.
3. Who needs a fire door inspection?
Anyone who has a fire door; most public spaces have them. For example, schools, high rises, and hospitals. Also, just because it has an emergency exit sticker on the door doesn’t mean it is a fire rated door. There’s specific stickers on the doors and frames, often on the interior of the door, that mark a fire rated door.
4. Why are fire door inspections important?
To protect life and safety! If you’re a facility manager it is your responsibility to ensure building safety codes are met. To some the annual fire inspection may seem tedious. In reality, these fire door assemblies are vital in preventing loss of life in case of an emergency.
5. How often do I need to get a fire door inspection?
At least once annually as per NFPA 80. NFPA 80.5.2.4.1 states that “periodic inspections and testing shall be performed not less than annually. What happens if you don’t? If you don’t get your fire door inspections completed annually, you’re in violation of NFPA 80 and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) could write you up for building code violations.
6. Who performs fire door inspections?
NFPA 80 and building codes require door inspections to be completed by a certified and knowledgeable person. The inspector provides a detailed report to the party requesting inspection informing them of any deficiencies in fire code found on their swinging fire-rated assemblies. Ultimately, the AHJ has final say in all building fire code compliance. HESI communicates with the AHJ to find cost-effective solutions for the customer to remedy any deficiencies. If you’ve made some changes to your fire-rated door, you will need to have it reinspected for compliance. Also, some modifications to the assembly may require re-certification of the opening.
7. How often do I keep fire door inspection records?
Records must be kept a minimum of 3 years, and for some facilities 5 years.
HESI is members of the International Fire Door Inspector Association and our professionals are Certified Fire + Egress Door Assembly Inspectors. We help remedy compliance issues and ensure your facility meets NFPA 80’s requirement of annual fire door inspections for swinging fire-rated doors.
If you’re looking for a local fire door inspection company, have questions about fire door inspection requirements, or need a same day inspection— contact our CFDI Scott Jeli today.
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