The second class in this series was on the requirements for fire door assemblies, including the annual inspection requirements.
Evaluation: Click here if you have a few minutes to evaluate this class.
Presentation: Click here to download the presentation for this session in PDF format.
Exercise: Click here for a 10-question quiz that covers some of the topics in this class.
Videos: The 30-second video of the news studio fire door can be viewed here, or downloaded here (right-click link and save). There is another video showing the value of a closed door in a fire here, and a NIST analysis that includes the effects of a door failure here.
Homework: Effects of Fire Doors on an Apartment Fire (watch this video for a better understanding of the value of fire doors)
Practice: If you’d like some extra practice, you can download an additional exercise here.
Smoke Doors: Many people ask about smoke doors. The problem with “smoke doors” is that they’re not specifically defined in the codes and standards. There are doors in smoke partitions or smoke barriers, doors that are required to resist the passage of smoke but are not labeled, and fire doors which have to meet the limits for air (smoke) infiltration when tested per UL 1784. The requirements vary for each of these different locations. I did an in-depth study of the IBC’s requirements for the different locations, and the article is here. When you run into a situation where you need to know the requirements of a smoke door, check the article and try to figure out which category the door fits into. Once you do that, the requirements are pretty clear and I included the references in case you want to go back to look at the code. Do not confuse the requirement for gasketing with intumescent gasketing. Intumescent material expands when it is heated, and is required for some doors in order to pass the positive pressure test. It is not required for all fire doors – only where the manufacturer’s listings require it. The gasketing required to meet the limits when tested per UL 1784 is standard smoke gasketing, listed for use on a fire door if the door is fire rated.
Links to Fire Door Articles on iDigHardware:
- Decoded: Patient Room Doors in Health Care Occupancies
- Decoded: Double-Egress Pairs in a Health Care Occupancy
- Decoded: Alterations to Fire Door Assemblies
- Fire Doors – Everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)
- Fire Door Inspection – Top 10 Deficiencies
- Decoded: NFPA 80 – 2013 FDAI Changes
- Decoded: Fusible Links and Smoke Actuated Hold-Opens
- Decoded: Less Bottom Rod Fire Exit Hardware
- Decoded: Electric Strikes on Fire Doors
- Decoded: Opening Protectives
- Filling Holes in Fire Doors
- Signage on Fire Doors
- A Fire Door Test First-Hand