The National Fire Protection Association, in regulation NFPA 80, requires at least an annual rolling fire door inspection. Cities and towns in the Janesville WI area may have additional requirements as well. The NFPA has a three-part process:
- The door must be inspected by a certified technician and tested for proper operation, including full closure.
- Each door must be reset in accordance to its manufacturer’s instructions.
- You must keep a written record of each test to make available to any and all agencies with the authority to examine it.
Depending upon the amount of use the door gets and its surroundings, rolling garage door professionals suggest an inspection every 6 months is an even better option.
Drop-test Is Key To Rolling Fire Door Inspection
A key element of each inspection includes dropping the door from a fully-open position. That’s to: (A) see that it works properly, and (B) to make sure it resets itself correctly. During the first drop inspectors look to be sure the door fully closes across its entire bottom surface. The second drop makes sure it works right again and has reset to manufacturer specifications. After the second drop, all moving parts are examined to be sure they are free from debris and anything that might restrict motion. Additional drop sequences may be required if anything isn’t exactly right during the first two. A visual inspection is also included, looking at:
- Signs of open holes, breaks or other damage.
- Missing or broken components.
- Any improper modifications – painting over movable pieces is a common problem.
- Hardware added to the door or nearby that might interfere with smooth, rapid closure.
- Proper, accurate safety labels.
Completing the inspection, technicians make sure the steel curtain, barrel assemble and guides all align, are level plumb and true.
Give Rolling Fire Doors Space
NFPA 80 also requires keeping all door openings and surrounding areas clear of anything that could become an obstruction and interfere with the door. Providing enough space around the door is easy to overlook. But keeping the area clear around protective doors makes sense, doesn’t it? When you need to protect people and property you can’t have an odd piece of equipment falling under a rolling steel fire door so it doesn’t seal, right?
Don’t forget, if your fire doors activate automatically triggered by a fire or smoke alarm, the fire door inspection must also include testing these systems.
When properly adjusted and working per manufacturer’s specification rolling steel fire doors close fast. Most should close at a speed of at least 6 inches per second but not faster than 24 inches per second. You’ll have to time and measure them to know if your doors comply.
Choose The Right Rolling Fire Door
Common rolling steel fire doors are designed to fit large openings. However, they do come in an assortment of sizes. Most use fairly large slat designs but these, too, differ greatly depending upon the application – shutting off a section within a building may require a different configuration than shuttering the loading dock.
It’s always best to have a factory-trained professional technician inspect your doors, but you can find more detailed information by checking the website of the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers’ Association (DASMA).
Rolling Fire Door Inspection – Put Experience To Work
It takes very little time to keep your people and business safe and compliant. Is there ever an excuse for putting these valuable assets at risk? Fire doors protect property and save lives.
The NFPA 80 requirement applies to all fire doors, even those that are seldom if ever used and remain in the closed position. The doors must be checked regularly insuring they will work if necessary.
Country Door Systems serves business customers throughout southern Wisconsin. Representing the best commercial garage door manufactures, it brings the latest technology to every commercial overhead door inspection, installation and repair. Country Door Systems repairs, installs and stands behind the best commercial doors, commercial garage door openers and loading dock/warehouse accessories. Its commitment and relationship with elite garage door manufacturers insures high-tech solutions and well-trained technicians. Take advantage of our wide service area and decades of experience. Call or email Country Door Systems at 608-752-9537 and schedule a rolling fire door inspection for your Janesville WI area facilities.
NFPA – How Is A Rolling Fire Door Inspection Different From a Swinging Door?
IDEA – Commercial Rolling and Rolling Steel Fire Door Technical Essentials