Fire Doors – Everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)
I'm in the process of archiving some older articles and updating the ones that are still applicable...this one was due for an update - it's an oldie but a goodie!
WW: Covering and Cladding
Last week I shared some photos of a coordinator bracket, and several eagle-eyed readers pointed out the wall covering on the doors. You're right - these fire doors have some issues.
Resources for Multifamily Properties
In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, I've put together a page of resources related to multifamily buildings, AND...I've got a podcast episode coming out any minute!
FF: Screwed
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, illustrating exactly why fire door assemblies need to be inspected after installation, after maintenance work, and annually!
Decoded: Fire Door Inspections vs. Egress Door Inspections for Swinging Doors
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered a question about the differences between fire door inspections and egress door inspections.
Plan Your Escape: High-Rise Apartment Fire (video)
This week I'm in Denver with the current members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, and I found a fantastic video from the Fire Safety Research Institute to share with them. Check it out!
Do assisted living units need fire protection?
A code change proposal has been submitted that would remove the self-closing/automatic-closing requirement for assisted living unit entry fire doors. I OBJECT! How about you?
WW: Education and Awareness
Today I am Wordless in a positive way, about this photo that was sent to me by John Lozano of Allegion. It was taken in a high school. What do you think?
WW: Open Holes in Fire Doors
I saw the door in today's Wordless Wednesday photos during a recent hotel stay, and yes, it's definitely a fire door assembly, in an elevator lobby.
Fire Door Label Location
I've noticed a few interesting door openings around the hotel where this week's BHMA meetings are being held, and these doors in particular illustrated something I hadn't really thought about before.
WW Follow Up
Last week I posted some WW photos of a propped open fire door, and one of my coworkers asked: What steps would need to be taken to solve the problem? This is a great question!
WW: Back-2-Basics
Sometimes it's important to go back to the basics, because there are always new people finding iDigHardware for the first time. And clearly, not everyone has gotten the message.
Codes in Context: Terminated Stops
I can't count the number of times iDigHardware readers have asked me to send them some "proof" to support the intent of a code requirement. Have you seen this resource from BHMA?
AIA Webinar – The Essentials of Fire Door Inspections
Are you familiar with the annual inspection criteria for fire door assemblies? Join us on Thursday, March 14th, for an AIA-approved webinar presented by Jeff Batick of Allegion.
QQ: Modifying UL Listed Products
Today's Quick Question was prompted by a recent post about a continuous hinge retrofit on a fire door: If a UL Listed product is modified in the field, does this void the listing?
QQ: Empty Silencer Holes
Today's Quick Question: On a fire door assembly where adhesive smoke gasketing is installed, is it acceptable to have open silencer holes under the gasketing?
QQ: Continuous Hinges on Existing Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: When a continuous hinge is installed on an existing fire door assembly, the labels on the fire door and frame are often covered by the hinge. How should this be handled?
QQ: Component Materials for Fire Door Assemblies
Today's Quick Question came up recently with regard to the materials of components used on fire door assemblies: Are all products installed as components of a fire door assembly required to be made of steel?
WW: Screwy
Assuming that the screws in this fire door assembly are steel, and considering that NFPA 80 doesn't limit the number of holes or screws, do you think this repair is compliant with the standard?
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update!)
It's hard to believe that it has been 6 YEARS since I last updated this post on zombie-resistant door openings, and 9 YEARS sine I wrote the original version. With the new model codes coming out soon it's time for another update, and what better day to post it than on Halloween??
WWYD? Excess Clearance on Fire Door Assemblies
If you are responsible for inspecting fire door assemblies or keeping them code-compliant, you already know that one of the most common challenges is related to perimeter clearance. Do you have a few minutes to share your insight?
WWYD? Wrap Plates on Fire Doors
If you are an AHJ or a fire door inspector, or have used listed plates to cover holes in fire doors, please share your insight. Are there limitations on hole size, door material, or fire rating? Is permission from the door manufacturer required?
QQ: Health Care Corridor Door vs. Smoke Barrier Door
Today's Quick Question has come up several times lately with regard to the code requirements for hospitals, nursing homes, and similar types of facilities: What is the difference between a "corridor door" and a "smoke barrier door" in a health care occupancy?
1982: Westchase Hilton Hotel Fire
As I have said many times before, we have a responsibility to learn from past fires and other tragedies where door openings played a role. This month is the anniversary of a fire at the Westchase Hilton Hotel in Houston, Texas, where 12 people lost their lives.
WW: Fire Door
I'm going to put this Wordless Wednesday photo from Lee Frazier of Allegion in my special collection of photos to look at when I need a good cry. It was taken in a university. :(
WWYD? Painted Fire Door Assembly Labels
Unless specifically exempt from the labeling requirements, each component of a fire door assembly must be labeled to show that it is acceptable for that purpose. Is the fire door label in this photo compliant with NFPA 80? WWYD?
WCVB: Fire Prompts Evacuations at Hospital
Yesterday morning, a 10-alarm fire occurred at Brockton Hospital, a 216-bed health care facility in Massachusetts. The fire reportedly began in the main transformer room of the hospital, and approximately 160 patients were evacuated. More in today's post...
Decoded: Code Resources and Training Available On-Demand
As the theme of the March issue of Door Security + Safety is talent and workforce development, my next Decoded column includes some of the code-related resources that I have shared here on iDigHardware.com.
News 12: “It’s a matter of public safety.”
In the year since 17 people lost their lives in a fire in the Bronx, NYC has taken steps to increase awareness of fire door safety and the importance of self-closing doors. A recent investigative report from News 12 shares more information about the current situation...
Life Safety Digest: The Importance of Fire Door Assemblies in Residential Occupancies
Based on the average number of fires that occur annually in multifamily residential buildings and the effects of non-compliant fire doors during past fires, I firmly believe that enforcing the annual requirements for fire door inspections will save lives.
WW: Double Trouble
I've said it before and I'll say it again...antique stores and thrift stores tend to be some of the worst when it comes to code-compliant door openings. This photo from Lisa Wright of Allegion is a great illustration - what purpose do these fire doors serve?
FF: Closer/Holder Fix
You may have to look closely at this Fixed-it Friday photo from Brian Lavallee of Doors by LAVA Inc. Have you ever seen this "creative" application in use?
Updated FDAI Cards
If you are involved in conducting fire door inspections or educating people about fire doors, I have updated our laminated fire door inspection card and it's now available!
November Training
Don't worry...it's not actually November yet! But there's some training coming up next week that I don't want you to miss - including a couple of sessions that I'm presenting. I hope to see some of you there!
Locksmith Ledger: Altering Fire Door Assemblies – Job Site Preparations vs. Field Modifications
After last week's focus on fire doors for Fire Prevention Week, several people asked about altering fire doors in the field. This recent article that I wrote for Locksmith Ledger covers the requirements and limitations of NFPA 80.
Fire Door Assemblies: Protect the Door
Wrapping up Fire Prevention Week is our final category in the hardware set: Protect the Door. Although these are not typically the most complex components of a fire door assembly, proper product selection, installation, and maintenance are crucial.
Fire Door Assemblies: Control the Door
Earlier this year, a fatal fire in a Bronx apartment building demonstrated the importance of code-compliant fire door assemblies that are closed and latched when a fire occurs. Today's post addresses NFPA 80's three categories of fire door operation.
Fire Door Assemblies: Secure the Door
Because fire door assemblies are such an important part of the passive fire protection system of a building, the model codes and referenced standards require fire doors to be closed and latched during a fire. Learn more in today's post.
Fire Door Assemblies: Hang the Door
For a fire door to close and latch reliably, it's crucial for the door to be hung properly, using architectural hinges, continuous hinges, or pivots that are correctly specified for the door size, weight, and usage.
Fire Prevention Week – 100 Years!
This week I will be sharing some of the resources available on iDigHardware related to fire door assemblies, to increase awareness of the requirements of the codes and standards that help to ensure fire doors perform as designed and tested.
WW: Hotel Fire Doors
Remember last month when I mentioned that I might question the condition of a restaurant's kitchen based on their doors and hardware? Well, the same goes for hotels, and these Wordless Wednesday photos of my hotel's fire doors from last week's trip are a compelling example.
Update: Labels on Fire Door Assembly Components
Back in 2016 (where does the time go??), I answered a Quick Question: Does every component of a fire door assembly have to be listed/labeled? Today's post includes some updated information found in the enhanced content for NFPA 80.
Construction Specifier: Fire door safety: How can specifiers help?
Specifiers are involved during the construction process—not throughout the life of the building, but there are many ways the choices made during the specification process can affect the durability and function of fire door assemblies for years to come.
DOIT: Processes and Products for Fire Door Gap Mitigation
After I posted my Decoded article about fire door clearance, I found out that Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions is presenting a webinar TOMORROW (Wednesday) on how to mitigate problems with fire door gaps! Here's the info...
Decoded: Allowable Clearances for Fire Door Assemblies
My next Decoded article addresses a recent study on clearances for fire door assemblies - the results of the testing may surprise you. Please share any input or questions before the article goes to print!
Listen-In Video Lesson: Fire Door Inspections
I get a lot of requests for training on fire door assembly inspection, and I just realized that one of my coworker Jeff Tock's sessions was recorded and made available on YouTube! You can check it out in today's post.
WWYD? Auxiliary Fire Pin for LBR Devices
Last week, I received some photos of a pair of fire doors with LBR fire exit hardware installed without the auxiliary fire pin. Apparently the door manufacturer's listings did not require the pin, but the hardware listings do. WWYD?
Bronx Fire Model
When a good teaching tool comes along, I get really excited. Especially when the resource is shared in the mainstream media, so it's readily available to people outside of the door and hardware industry. Please share this widely.
July Training – Last-Minute Announcement!
Because of the holiday weekend and the Webinar Wednesday sessions scheduled for the first week of the month, this is a last-minute notification of the online training available TOMORROW - I hope some of you can make it!
Last Day!
After writing countless times about fire doors needing to close and latch, and hearing about the impact of open fire doors during a Bronx apartment fire earlier this year, seeing a stairwell fire door permanently prevented from closing is just too much.