Fire-rated commercial doors are designed to withstand the high temperatures of a fire for a period of up to two hours depending on the door. That time is crucial for giving the building’s occupants time to escape. Fire-rated commercial doors also help to prevent the spread of smoke and fire, limiting the damage to your property.

Strict regulations govern the construction, installation, and maintenance of fire-rated commercial doors because of their importance to the safety of a building’s occupants. Preventative maintenance is a critical part of any plan for ensuring your fire-rated doors meet safety standards. 

What Are the Regulatory Requirements for Fire-Rated Commercial Doors?

The National Fire Protection Association 80 (NFPA 80) is a standard designed to regulate the installation and maintenance of devices that are used to help prevent the spread of smoke within buildings. Fire-rated commercial doors fall under that category. 

The goal of the NFPA 80 is to ensure that fire doors or other protective openings are reliable and can perform their expected function in the event of a fire. It covers things such as:

• The installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire-rated commercial doors
• The requirements for hardware, materials, and frames that are used in the construction of fire-rated commercial doors
• The guidelines for repairs and modifications of existing fire-rated commercial doors
• The record-keeping practices and documentation related to inspections and maintenance on fire-rated commercial doors

The NFPA 80 is included in Canada's National Building Code and National Fire Code of Canada.

Preventative Maintenance and Testing for Fire-Rated Commercial Doors

As per the NFPA 80 standard, all fire-rated commercial doors must be inspected and tested at least once per year, and more often depending on local building codes. For example, Alberta mandates that fire doors should be tested monthly and inspected every 24 hours to ensure they operate correctly. 

Testing and maintenance must be done by a trained professional with proper knowledge and understanding of all the door components. 

What Does a Maintenance Inspection Include?

When you schedule preventative maintenance for your fire-rated commercial doors, an experienced and certified inspector will do the following tasks:

• Visual Inspection — A visual inspection is the first thing any inspector will do. They will check every part of the door assembly and the surrounding door to make sure:
  • That it’s properly labelled
  • All components are secure, aligned, and have no visible damage
  • All gaskets and seals are fully intact
  • The mounting and assembly bolts are properly tightened
  • The door clearances are within allowable distances
  • All components are present and undamaged
  • Fusible links and sash chain/cable links are clean
  • There is nothing around the door or frame that could interfere with the operation
• Operational Check — Once they have completed the visual inspection, the maintenance technician will check to ensure all components are fully operational. This includes inspecting the latching hardware and ensuring the door completely closes.
• Drop Test — After they’ve ensured that the door is operational, the technician will conduct a drop test. As per NFPA 80 standard regulations, all fire-rated commercial doors must be drop-tested annually to ensure they can close completely and accurately in an emergency.
• Smoke Test — Finally, the technician will conduct a smoke test. This test is meant to ensure that the doors properly prevent the passage of smoke when they’re closed. 

Any door found to be compromised or beyond repair must be repaired or replaced in accordance with the NFPA 80 standards. 

What Happens if You Neglect Maintenance?

Neglecting fire-rated commercial door maintenance puts occupants of your building at risk and violates regulations. You may also face consequences such as:

• Denial of insurance claims if your inspections are lacking
• Local fire authorities may issue you fines or notices
• You may be vulnerable to lawsuits or civil claims from injured parties
• Your reputation may suffer from disregarding safety policies
• You may suffer loss of property through fire or smoke damage

Hiring an experienced and certified maintenance technician for your fire-rated commercial doors is not only important but vital. 

You Can Count on Creative Door Services for Your Preventative Maintenance Needs

The team at Creative Door Services is highly experienced in providing preventative maintenance for fire-rated commercial doors. We are thoroughly knowledgeable in the relevant regulations and have all the necessary certifications to conduct fire-rated commercial door inspections and maintenance. We are COR-certified and we have an extensive inventory of parts and products. We also provide installations for fire-rated commercial doors, giving you long-lasting performance that helps to keep the flames at bay. 

You can count on us for 24/7 emergency repair services at most of our branches. Call your nearest location today. We have locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.