12 Top Tips for Passing Your Fire Door Inspection

If you’re a building owner or facility manager, then you’ll know only too well the importance of keeping it up to date with all fire and safety regulations, and that being present for regular fire inspections, is part and parcel of your role.

Passing your buildings fire inspection is vital if it’s to remain open and fully functioning, but with the following top tips, you should be able to pass it with flying colors:

Make sure the fire door label is present and can clearly be readEnsure every door has the correct clearances on the tops, hinges and lock edges. A gap between the door and frame exceeding 1/8” for wooden doors and 3/16” for steel doors, is not correct clearanceOnly ever use fire rated (labeled) door holders that are electronically linked to a buildings fire detection systemProducts that interfere with the intended function of a door, should never be usedNever prop open a fire door; they should always remain closed when not in useNever block a fire door with anything. If a fire door isn’t being used, have it professionally removed and replaced with a wall that meets the fire rating of the adjacent wallsImmediately replace or repair broken or missing hardwareAlways use specially designed panic hardware with a visible label that identifies it as both Fire Exit Hardware and Panic HardwareEnsure all fasteners are in place and the correct type for the hardware they’re holding in placeAll bottom flush bolts must project ½” into the floor strikeSignage should be attached using appropriate adhesives and must not exceed 5% of the door surfaceAll unused fastener holes must be filled with steel screws or a special fire door caulk designed and approved specifically for use on fire doors

Following these tips, conforming with FDAI guidelines and consulting with a fire door specialist, are all great ways of ensuring that your building or facility passes its fire inspection. Failure to do so can result in penalties and even closure, not to mention the fact that you could be endangering people’s lives, so it’s in your best interests to ensure that your building is always compliant.

If you’d like to know more about fire door inspections, or would like to arrange for one to be carried out, check out our website, give us a call or complete our online inquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Door and Dock Solutions is a fully insured dock and commercial door repair company with over 20 years of experience in the field of Commercial Doors, Automated Doors, Loading Dock Systems, Motor Operated Gate Systems and garage door repair.