NFPA Fire Codes & Compliance – Avallone Architectural Specialties, LLC

To keep your business and employees safe, it’s integral to keep everything up to fire code. The NFPA, The National Fire Protection Association, asserts that the biggest issues with fire code and compliance are inspection, testing, and maintenance.

“5.2 Inspections.

5.2.1* Fire door assemblies shall be inspected and tested not less than annually, and a written record of the inspection shall be signed and kept for inspection by the AHJ.

5.2.2* Performance-Based Option.

5.2.2.1 As an alternate means of compliance with 5.2.1, subject to the AHJ, fire door assemblies shall be permitted to be inspected, tested, and maintained under a written performance based program.

5.2.2.2 Goals established under a performance-based program shall provide assurance that the fire door assembly will perform its intended function when exposed to fire conditions.

5.2.2.3 Technical justification for inspection, testing, and maintenance intervals shall be documented.

5.2.2.4 The performance-based option shall include historical data acceptable to the AHJ.

5.2.3 Functional Testing.

5.2.3.1 Functional testing of fire door and window assemblies shall be performed by individuals with knowledge and understanding of the operating components of the type of door being subject to testing.

5.2.3.2 Before testing, a visual inspection shall be performed to identify any damaged or missing parts that can create a hazard during testing or affect operation or resetting.

5.2.4 Swinging Doors with Builders Hardware or Fire Door Hardware.

5.2.4.1 Fire door assemblies shall be visually inspected from both sides to assess the overall condition of door assembly.

5.2.4.2 As a minimum, the following items shall be verified:

1. No open holes or breaks exist in surfaces of either the door or frame.
2. Glazing, vision light frames, and glazing beads are intact and securely fastened in place, if so equipped.
3. The door, frame, hinges, hardware, and noncombustible threshold are secured, aligned, and in working order with no visible signs of damage.
4. No parts are missing or broken.
5. Door clearances at the door edge to the frame, on the pull side of the door, do not exceed clearances listed in 4.8.4 and 6.3.1.
6. The self-closing device is operational, that is, the active door completely closes when operated from the full open position.
7. If a coordinator is installed, the inactive leaf closes before active leaf.
8. Latching hardware operates and secures the door when it is in the closed position.
9. Auxiliary hardware items that interfere or prohibit operation are not installed on the door or frame.
10. No field modifications to the door assembly have been performed that void the label.
11. Gasketing and edge seals, where required, are inspected to verify their presence and integrity.”