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. This fire door inspection normally happens annually for many commercial office buildings, warehouses, schools, hospitals and health care facilities. 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.
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. While this can be a frustrating problem we want to share a few tips so you can prepare for a Fire Door Inspection. Fire Door Inspections happen annually, but you should have someone designated for your facility that checks these doors monthly to ensure they are in good working order.
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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.
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 are able to help you ensure your fire doors are functioning properly so you pass your annual 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. Book a free evaluation to assess your building at a time that works for you at locdoc.net/sales