Fire-rated doors are an important part of a building’s fire protection system. They help slow and prevent the spread of fire and smoke and protect egress routes to allow for a safe escape, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities. However, fire-rated doors must be properly maintained to provide the necessary protection. Here are a few tips for keeping your fire-rated doors in good working order.

How To Maintain Your Fire-Rated Doors

According to Standard 80 of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), which has been incorporated into the National Building Code of Canada, all fire-rated doors must be tested and inspected at least once a year by a trained professional with the proper knowledge and understanding of the operating components of the specific door.

Fortunately, the specialists at Creative Door Services™ have the necessary certifications to conduct fire-rated door assembly inspections. We can also make any required updates to your doors or hardware and provide and sign off on the record of inspection to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Here’s an overview of what’s examined during this process:

1.) Visual inspection

The first thing the inspector will do is conduct a visual inspection. Every part of the door assembly and the surrounding door set will be examined. On top of making sure the fire door is properly labelled, the inspector will ensure that:

• The door, frame, hinges, and hardware are secured, aligned, and have no visible damage
• The gaskets and edge seals are intact
• The mounting and assembly bolts are not missing or loose
• The door clearances don’t exceed 1/8-inch or 3/4-inch undercut
• There are no damaged or missing components
• The fusible links and sash chain/cable links are not painted or coated with dust or grease
• There’s nothing attached to the door or frame that could interfere or prohibit its operation

Furthermore, they’ll ensure the glazing, vision light frames, and glazing beads are intact and securely fastened.

2.) Operational check

Once the visual inspection is complete, an operational check will be conducted to ensure all door components are working correctly. Among other things, the inspector will ensure the latching hardware operates and secures the door, and that the door completely closes when operated from the fully open position.

Any issues that could create a hazard or prevent the door from operating correctly must be fixed before proceeding with a drop test. In addition, any repairs or replacements must meet the requirements for fire protection and be installed as required by standards for new installations.

3.) Drop test

Once the door is deemed operational, the inspector will proceed with a drop test. All fire-rated doors must be drop-tested annually to ensure the assembly will close completely and accurately in an emergency. This test ensures the door will completely close with an average speed of at least 6 inches per second, while not exceeding 24 inches per second.

Additionally, if your building has multiple fire-rated doors, it’s a good idea to create a fire door register. This will allow you to keep all information on door specifications, components, maintenance, installation dates, and fire certificate numbers to ensure you don’t miss any vital inspections.

Our Fire-Rated Doors

If you manage a commercial building, a high-quality fire-rated door can provide you with protection in the event of a fire. Here’s an overview of some of the fire-rated door models we carry:

• Raynor’s FireCoil commercial doors are constructed from thick, heavy-duty steel with a four-hour fire-resistance rating. They feature an automatic door closure initiated by fusible links that melt at 74 C. Furthermore, smoke and heat detectors can be added to the closing mechanism to automatically shut down the doors in the event of a fire.
  
  
• Wayne Dalton’s FireStar® 700, 700C, and 540-550 are all built with the same standardized component design. This improves the accuracy of installation and reduces the possibility of potential service calls in the future. These doors feature roll-formed slats, steel hoods, and several inches of insulation for optimal fire protection. In addition, they’re compatible with accessories such as smoke detectors and safety sensors.
  
  
• SDI’s fire-rated rolling doors are made of galvanized steel and have a four-hour fire-resistance rating. They’re equipped with smoke gaskets to seal in noxious fumes that could otherwise cause considerable harm and damage to your facility. You can also connect SDI fire-rated doors to smoke detectors and sounder strobes to alert occupants and first responders of a fire-related emergency.

We also carry a variety of commercial pedestrian doors that can be fire-rated and equipped with exit devices.

Fire-Rated Doors in Western Canada

If you need to install a new fire-rated door or have your existing one repaired or maintained, the experts at Creative Door Services™ can help. We carry an extensive catalogue of fire-rated commercial doors, shutters, and pedestrian doors to keep your business safe.

To learn more about our products and services, or to get a free quote, contact us today. We have eight locations from which we’re happy to serve you. You can find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.