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What Do I Do if I Fail a Fire Door Inspection

Updated: Sep 21, 2022

The last thing a facility manager wants to hear is that they aren’t compliant with code regulations and didn’t pass the fire door inspection.

Fire Marshalls can do random checks on your facility and can cite you if you are not compliant with code regulations. This can vary from shutting down the building and clearing it of occupants, to a fine and citation, and even a notice to fix the issue within the set amount of time.

At Loc-Doc Security, Our Mission is to help you protect your people and your property. We continue to share information like this to help you be informed so you can know the best solutions for the security of your property.


The goal of a fire door inspection is to ensure the fire doors in the building are functioning properly, have no damage, and are able to be used as intended during a fire. Should a fire break out, the safety of the occupants as well as emergency responders all depend on the inspection of the fire doors. If your fire doors aren’t code compliant they can cause a safety hazard. If your property has failed a Fire Door Inspection, you could be putting the building’s occupants at risk by not quickly making the repairs cited by the Fire Marshall.

If your facility has failed a fire inspection, you must fix the issues to become compliant with code regulations. The first thing to do once you’ve received a citation is to call us! Our team of professionals can help you assess the violations and help you get back in compliance quickly so your building will be safe. We will review the violations and create a plan for you to promptly resolve any outstanding issues that could be safety hazards. We can also provide some assistance with preventative measures.

Keeping a close eye on your fire rated openings and taking a preventative approach can save you time and headache with your local inspectors. We can help you take preventative steps to ensure your fire doors are functioning properly so you pass your fire door inspection!

We can help you protect your people and property with repairs or replacement of fire doors so you can pass fire door inspections.

Although Fire Door Inspections happen annually, you should have someone designated for your facility that checks these doors monthly to ensure they are in good working order so you don’t fail your inspection! While failing a fire door inspection can be a frustrating problem we want to share a few tips so you can be prepared for a reevaluation of your Fire Door Inspection.

Here are 6 tips to prepare for a fire door inspection.

  • Tip 1: Check that the fire label is clearly visible and legible on both the door and the frame. You want to ensure that any fire door label is legible and visible so you know when to inspect! These labels can be found on the hinge edge of the door and a second label should be on the frame. Make sure that they haven’t been painted over by maintenance personnel or they will need to be replaced.

  • Tip 2: Check if the door closer is in good condition. You want to be on the lookout for leaking oil or degraded hardware. Even if the door is currently working, those signs could mean it could become a problem.

  • Tip 3: Check the door hardware. You want to examine the lock, hinges and frame to ensure it is in good condition and in working order. Check that the latch fully engages on the strike and that nothing is prohibiting the door from fully closing. Be sure to clean the hinges so they are free of dirt and dust build up! You might also want to lubricate the hinges each month so the doors can open smoothly and easily!

  • Tip 4: Check that the door is in good condition. For wood doors, make sure that the veneer isn’t excessively cracked or separated from the rails. Metal doors must also be inspected to make sure there aren’t large amounts of rust present or if the internal welds are failing. Are there large holes or added hardware to the door that would prevent egress or positive latching?Ensure door frames, latches, hinges, and non-combustible thresholds are aligned, fully working, and secure, with no visible signs of damage. Look for any large gaps between the door and the frame. You will want tight tolerances to pass inspection.

  • Tip 5: Make sure the doorway is clear. You want to ensure that the path to evacuate your building is clear and unobstructed so it doesn’t prevent exiting the building. Some buildings can become overrun with debris and extra inventory so it’s important to continually check that the path to exit is clear.

  • Tip 6: Make sure there is nothing added to the door. Look for any extra hardware, door stops, deadbolts, hooks, or latches that have been installed or modified on to your fire door. These additions will void the fire door and become a costly code violation.

Book a free evaluation to assess your building at a time that works for you at locdoc.net/sales

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