In the event of a fire emergency, fire doors separate sections of the building to isolate and minimize the spread of smoke, fire, and toxic gases to a single room or hallway.

With proper maintenance and installation, fire doors play a very crucial role in a building’s safety, its overall fire protection system, and the safety of the lives of the building’s occupants. All commercial buildings are required to meet NFPA 80 code, a standard that regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into, or out of buildings.

In order to meet proper code requirements, all fire doors must adhere to the NFPA version as determined by the local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)

  1. Labels are present and legible.
  2. No holes or breaks in the door or frame.
  3. Glazing and glass kit/glass beads are intact and securely fastened.
  4. Door, frame, and hardware are in proper working order.
  5. No missing or broken parts.
  6. Door clearances are within allowable limits.
  7. Door closer/spring hinges are operational and the door is self-closing.
  8. Coordinator ensures that door leaves close in proper sequence (pairs only).
  9. Door is self-latching in the closed position.
  10. Opening is not equipped with auxiliary hardware items which interfere with operation.
  11. No field modifications have been performed that void the label.
  12. Gasketing and edge seals, where required, are present, continuous, and of the proper type for a fire door.
  13. Signage on the door covers less than 5% of the door face and is not attached with mechanical fasteners.

Do your fire doors comply with NFPA 80 Code? Below are some common Fire Door Code violations cited by the Door Security & Safety Foundation:

  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 installed on the door
  4. Auxiliary hardware items that interfere with the intended function of the door
  5. Fire doors blocked to stay in the open position
  6. Area surrounding the fire door assembly blocked by furniture, equipment 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 a sufficient amount into the strike

If your fire doors contain any of these deficiencies, they must be repaired immediately. Our certified FDAI Inspectors and their teams at Chown are available to help you make the necessary repairs and get your fire doors up to code.

Whatever your fire safety needs, we are the number one resource for sales, service, and product support. Working with clients in healthcare, education, multifamily housing, and more, we’re proud to create secure, accessible spaces throughout the Portland metro area. Our growing team of experienced, certified, and licensed staff are here to help with everything from hardware selection to installations and inspections, ensuring you’re taken care of for the long term.

For more information on Chown Commercial’s area of service and a full list of what is provided in a Chown Fire Door Inspection or to schedule your Fire Door Inspection with us, please visit our page on Fire Door Inspection.