Question: When adhesive smokeseal is installed on a fire-rated frame, the silencers are not installed and the silencer holes are left open beneath the gasketing. NFPA 80 says that rated doors and frames are not allowed to have any open holes. Are the open silencer holes a problem?
Answer: The open silencer holes will be covered by the adhesive gasketing, so smoke transmission in the early stages of a fire will not be an issue. The gasketing should keep the door properly aligned in the absence of silencers, so the door will latch properly. When a fire door assembly is tested with silencers in place, the silencers would eventually melt away leaving open holes, and the assembly successfully passed the test in that condition. In my opinion, having gasketing in lieu of silencers with open holes beneath the gasketing, does not negatively impact the performance of the fire door assembly.
What do YOU think? Agree or disagree?
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I would recommend using intumet adhesive smoke seal (ZERO 188FS). This will cover the hole when rubber melts, thus adding to the integrity of fire door.
wondering if you meant “intumescent” ?
I think con·tem·plat·ing silencers is like con·tem·plat·ing navel lint!!!!!!!!!!
good subject, soon we will dissect the door!!!!!!!!
Im looking at the manufacturers installation instructions for Pemko S88D204. All instructions and pictures show the product being installed on the jamb face, however you are given the option to install it to the front of the stop face as long as the door operates correctly and latches. It does not specify the procedure for applying to a frame with silencer holes, but you’ve got options.
What was the configuration the National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) approved. If you deviate from the NRTL’s approved design you relieve the door manufacture of any responsibility of the doors failure. Yes even “upgrading the door seal” changes the NRTL’s approved design.
NFPA 80 States “In cases where a field modification to a fire door or a fire door assembly is desired, the laboratory with which the product or component being modified is listed shall be contacted through the manufacturer and a written or graphic description of the modifications shall be presented to that laboratory.”