FDAI
On this page, I’ve pulled together some resources regarding the requirements for annual inspection of fire and egress door assemblies. If there’s something you think should be included here, please let me know!
FDAI FAQ Document (including NFPA 80 inspection text)
Summary of Inspection Criteria
NFPA 101 Excerpt Regarding Inspections
Great YouTube Video – egress route compromised by a deficient fire door
(video available for purchase and allowed for use in educational presentations)
Blog post about Parkside West fire (video above)
FDAI Website: www.firedoorguide.com
Information from the Door & Hardware Institute: http://dhi.org/shared/fdai/index.php
New England Chapter DHI Presentation
(We’d be happy to assist other chapters to conduct this presentation.)
Inspection Software: www.doordatasolutions.com
Measuring Device for Door/Frame Clearances: www.doorgapgauge.com
Online registry for fire door inspectors: www.CAFDI.org
October 5th, 2010 11:22 am
Lori – I love your blog and have encouraged others in our firm to read it! Please keep up the great work!
FYI – Regarding Fire Door Inspections, regardless of the benefits of it, it is important to note that mere reference to NFPA 80 does not make inspections a REQUIREMENT (this seems inferred at the top of the IR FAQ document). I have verified in writing with ICC that while IBC 2009 references NFPA 80 it does not require fire door inspections (it only references NFPA 80 for “installation”, not “maintenance”. Meanwhile IFC 2009 does require the inspections.
Some of our clients are squeemish about the possible costs and paperwork of fire door inspections. So knowing that it is not a requirement has been a relief to them.
February 4th, 2011 2:23 pm
I would like to see this written verification from the ICC that staes NFPA 80 is only referenced in the 2009 IBC for installation not maintenance.
February 5th, 2011 1:11 am
Hi Richard -
I’d like to see that too. I’ll see what I can do.
- Lori
January 27th, 2012 10:07 am
IBC 2006 715.4 bottom of para. “…Fire door assemblies and shutters shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this section and NFPA 80.” Does NOT mention “maintenance”. However IFC does and that is how you ‘connect the dots’. IFC 2006 703.2 “…Opening protectives shall be maintained in an operative condition in accordance with NFPA 80.”
This sucks in maintenance from NFPA 80. Now this language is accurate for IBC/IFC 2009 as well, and the slam dunk for connection occurs when your jurisdiction adopts either NFPA 80 2007 or the 2009 version of IFC. Before that occurs your ‘sales’ job is harder. In some jurisdictions they are adopting IBC 2009, but continuing on with the older fire code (e.g. BOCA fire 1999), those jurisdictions are harder to convince as well.