The Importance of Fire Door Inspection and Maintenance

Fire doors are installed in commercial and residential buildings to minimize the spread of fire. With a functional fire door, you can escape during a fire emergency without being hurt. For this reason, home and facility managers must ensure the frequent inspection of its components. Read to understand fire doors and your role during emergencies.

What is a Fire Door, and Why is it Important?

Fire doors are specially designed and made with steel, timber, or glass, to minimize the spread of smoke and fire between various building sections. These doors are specifically intended to hold a fire at bay. This is important to minimize the progression of the fire and also reduce its intensity. The doors can hold up fire for about 30-60 minutes.

Important Information About Fire Door Inspection

For fire safety, the fire doors can only be used if they have been regularly checked for functionality. The following components are commonly included in a fire door inspection:

• Door Condition: Search for any signs of warping, dents, a crack line, or physical damage around the door.
• Frame and Seal Checks: To prevent smoke or fire from penetrating through the door frame, you must inspect the frames and seal.
• Hinges and Closing Mechanism: To ensure door lock efficiency, the hinges should be tight.
• Door Lock Installation: Check that the door lock system is properly incorporated and does not interfere with the door’s ability to close. Fire doors must self-close without obstruction.
• Signs and Labels: The fire rating has to be labeled on the fire door and this information has to be easily visible and not damaged.

Fire Doors Compliance: Legal Requirements and Standards

The regulations concerning the use of fire doors during installation and maintenance differ across nations. To ensure that fire doors meet the legal requirements on fire safety, many of them have to be inspected at least once a year.

In addition, the type of construction and the material of fire doors define the exact fire rating that those doors require.

The key standards are:

• Section 80 of the National Fire Protection Association: This standard provides guidelines for fire door inspection and maintenance across the United States.
• BS 476 (British Standard): Fire door certification and testing in the UK standard is covered by this.
• ISO 3008 (International Standard): International standard for fire-resistant doors.

For the safety of the occupants of the buildings, property managers/owners and tenants must ensure that fire doors installed in their buildings are compliant with the set regulations.

Common Fire Door Issues and their Solutions

Since fire doors are designed to withstand use for a long time, there may be some issues as time goes by. Here are a few:

• Misaligned Frame or Door: Misalignment of hinges and frames weakens the fire resistance of a door because of its years of use. It can be fixed by a professional locksmith who will examine the hinges to tell whether they are damaged.
• Door Closer Problems: If a door closer malfunctions, it may leave the door ajar, while letting the fire and smoke spread. This is why routine maintenance should be done by a dependable locksmith in Hampton.
• Broken Seals: Any damage or wear of the seal can compromise the ability of the door to retain smoke and flames. So, for this, seals should be inspected, and if possible, replacement should be done swiftly.

Why Choose GreenPro Locksmith for your Fire Door Needs?

Our licensed locksmith understands how important it is to maintain and inspect the fire doors in your home for safety reasons. We can ensure that your fire doors are fitted with good, high-quality locks and mechanisms according to safety regulations.

Plus, we also provide periodic inspection services to locate any possible weaknesses and offer repairs or replacements. If you need our assistance anytime, contact us swiftly.