NFPA 80 includes limitations on alterations that can be made to a fire door assembly in the field, to ensure that the doors, frames, and hardware are able to perform as designed and tested throughout the life of the assembly.  These alterations are divided into two categories – job site preparations and field modifications.

Job site preparations are alterations that are specifically listed in NFPA 80 or allowed by the manufacturer’s listings, which can be performed in the field without voiding the label on the door or frame.  Alterations beyond those allowed as job site preparations are considered field modifications.  These modifications must be approved in advance by the listing laboratory.  Job site preparations and field modifications do not typically require re-labeling of the door or frame, if the proper procedures are followed.

When holes are left in the door and frame due to removal of existing hardware, NFPA 80 includes several acceptable methods for filling fastener holes.  Other holes are addressed as field modifications, and require pre-approval from the listing laboratory.

Read this Decoded article to learn more about the limitations that apply to field alterations of fire door assemblies, and then proceed to the review questions below.

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Review Questions

1. Which of the following would NOT be acceptable as a job-site preparation, according to NFPA 80?

  1. Mortise lock function holes including a 3/4-inch diameter spindle hole and a 1 1/4-inch diameter cylinder hole
  2. A 1-inch x 2-inch rectangular hole for an electronic viewer
  3. Fastener holes for installation of a protection plate
  4. Three holes of 1-inch diameter each, for fire exit hardware

2. Who is responsible for approving a request for a field modification?

  1. Door or frame manufacturer
  2. Hardware installer
  3. Listing laboratory
  4. Fire door assembly inspector

3. When a lockset is replaced with a different model, how should the extra holes and voids in a hollow metal door be addressed?

  1. Cover them with the new hardware
  2. Install a stainless steel wrap plate
  3. Weld on a cover plate of the same steel gauge as the door face
  4. Follow procedures detailed in the manufacturer’s fire door listings

Answers: 1 – B, 2 – C, 3 – D