What should we do to check if our fire doors are working properly

Many deaths and/or hazards during fires are not from direct contact with the flames, but the consumption of smoke. With this in mind, keep an eye out for a doorset with cold smoke seals. These should be within the intumescent seal. Exceptions may apply where the leakage of the smoke is essential for detecting a fire early. Again, this is depending on the local fire regulations. Because of their importance in protecting lives, it is imperative that fire doors receive regular inspections – frequency is likely to depend on many factors, including the age and condition of the door. It has been suggested that a minimum quarterly inspection rule may be applied. Worryingly, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) in United Kingdom highlighted that three quarters of all fire doors inspected (76%) in 2019 were condemned as not fit for purpose in UK. On the other side of the ocean, USA has a mandotory yearly inspection system to prevent such failures. In USA, each fire rated door will have a visible label that will be inspected by a qualified person every year. They will inspect the door set and report in order to maintain the standarts over a long period of time with this system. For example,every year they will check If a label is missing from a component of a fire door assembly. The component may need to be field labeled by an authorized labeling service. They will check if there are any holes or breaks in the door or frame. They will check if the glazing and glass kit / glass beads are intact and securely fastened, if the Door, frame, and hardware are in proper working order, No missing or broken parts, door clearances are within allowable limits. Door closer / spring hinges are operational and the door is self-closing. Fire doors may also be automatic-closing or power-operated, in accordance with the standard. They will check if the door coordinator ensures that the door leaves close in proper sequence. They will check if the door is self-latching in the closed position. Are you bored of the door bussiness already? Lets keep on going. They will check if the opening is not equipped with auxiliary hardware items which interfere with proper operation. An example of an unacceptable item would be a mechanical hold-open which would prevent the door from closing. They will check if there are any field modifications have been performed that void the label. NFPA 80 shows allowable job-site preparations, and field modifications that may be approved by the listing laboratory. They will check the Gasketing and edge seals, where required, are present, continuous, and of the proper type for a fire door. Note that gasketing is typically required for fire doors in corridors and smoke barriers but is not required for every fire door assembly. Gasketing installed on fire door assemblies must be listed for that purpose. Note: There is an exception for continuous gasketing in the case of a hospital stop, where the gasketing is terminated 6” 6 inches or so above the bottom of the frame due to hygienic issues faced in hospitals. And finally they wil check if the signage on the door covers less than 5% of the door face and is not attached with mechanical fasteners. NFPA 80 requires signage to be installed with adhesive and does not allow the use of screws or nails. Signs must not be installed on fire-protection-rated glazing and must not interfere with the operation of the door. That is a good example on how to make sure that a passive fire safety system is fully operational at all times. So enough with the checking, lets see how the doors are designed and tested universally.

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And that will be all about design and testing. Further notes on the future of the fire rated door bussiness What is in the future of the door bussiness in general? The transition to wireless access control, IOT & data gathering is the next step in door bussiness. The   Internet of Things  (IoT), the extension of Internet connectivity into physical devices enables devices to communicate and interact over the Internet and be remotely monitored and controlled. All doors and gates will gradually transition into being connected. This means in case of fire, more and more passive fire safety measures will be automatic including doors. Eventually, devices connected to cloud will gather data either directly through the doors and gates or by sensors on the doors and Gates.