Sometimes a Wordless Wednesday photo comes along and I think, “Meh…another propped open fire door…” But it’s important to go back to the basics on occasion, because there are always new people finding iDigHardware for the first time. And clearly, based on these photos, not everyone has gotten the message.
Take note:
- This is a fire door assembly serving a stairwell. It is designed to withstand smoke and flames for up to 1 hour – this is printed on the label.
- The stairwell is intended to provide a protected means of egress for building occupants, should they need to evacuate during a fire.
- Someone has installed a kick-down stop (hold-open) on the door, likely for convenience. With the door in the open position, the stairwell could fill with smoke during a fire and this exit would not be available for building occupants to use.
- In 2022, open fire doors contributed to the deaths of 17 people in a Bronx apartment building, as smoke was able to spread across multiple floors of the building.
- If you see something like this…say something!
Thanks to Marc Zolner of Allegion for today’s Wordless Wednesday photos!
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There’s a label on the door — but I don’t see a label on the frame (maybe painted over?)
Lori,
I shared this on Facebook.
Brian w. Mead CFDAI, NFPA
My suspicious nature tells me that the label has been torn off of the initial door and nailed to this door. Who knows if this door is even eligible for a 1 hour rating? (a quick look at the top of the door will reveal the answers)
Comedians have been reported to say: “There are no old jokes, only new audiences”.
Also:
“The Great Ones practice the fundamentals” – Hank Hill, King of the Hill, regarding Propane and Propane Accessories.
Is the IBC specific about what the term “fire alarm” means. With today’s addressable fire alarm systems, it is very possible to assign one or more specific sensors to trigger this release. So, in practice, the pull stations by the appropriate doors could be left out in a way that permits the fire alarm to activate, but the doors do not release until specific smoke detectors detect actual smoke. You brought this up in the elevator lobby post, but what about stair doors?
There doesn’t seem to be smoke gaskets either, the label calls for them.