has anyone heard about some new fire door inspections that are coming
what o we have to do?

I went to a meeting of Maintenance Managers sponsored by ES3, Environmental Services, Staffing & Solutions in early June and they gave us all some insight to these inspections. The OPS boss, Bob Misko had met with a CDI, Certified Door Inspectors in Ormond Beach and was provided a checklist that all door inspectors will probably be using to inspect the doors. As I understand it, when the 2006 Fire Prevention Codes were adopted (Jan 2009), burried in there somewhere was a requirement to have an annual Fire Door Inspection. OK, we all know when your Life Safety Inspector shows up at your facility when you are in your state survey, the inspector inspects the doors as part of his duties. But in the new codes, now an annual Fire Door Inspection is directed.

Anyway, moving forward, Misko gave us this checklist but it is all greek. It has the inspection criteria, but it means nothing to the maintenance man if he cant cross-reference it to the codes. The way this works is there is a STANDARD (NFPA 80) regarding Fire Door Inspections. Now, the CODE details WHAT the finished product will be and the STANDARD tells you HOW to get there. So now a bunch of us is running around wondering WTF is required for this Door Inspection. NFPA 80 states that an annual Fire Door Inspection will be performed by a KNOWLEDGEABLE INDIVIDUAL. Pretty vague? I would take that to mean that a KNOWLEDGEABLE INDIVIDUAL would be the Maintenance Boss. Misko stated that during his dialogue with the CDI, he stated that the persons who develop the codes, wrote it that way because there are only a handfull of CDI's available in the state. (4 that he knows of in this area). He stated that if the code was written to reflect that the inspections were to be performed by a CDI, they would be able to retire soon, because there would be alot of work and only a few to do it, thats why the knowledgeable individual comes into play. You can bet that the next set of codes that are adopted, will reflect that a CDI will perform the door inspections. There is a big push now to get CDI's qualified. What they will charge will probably be in direct proportion to the supply/demand.

Misko went on to state that it is the responsibility of the building, to catalog their doors. Each door should get a number so it can be tracked. If a card would be generated on each door, it should have the minimum information: Door Location, Locally assigned number, Fire Rating Tag number, and Fire Rating and Date. Sounds easy, however, now comes the kicker.. If a door has a tag that is missing or painted over and can not be identified, then you will need to contact a CDI to come in and validate/bless the door to complete the inspection process. Pretty much the rest of the "Inspection" can be performed by the Maint Boss however, (OK another kick in the pants), all the hardware on the door must be UL Certified. Now we all have had the door handles or closers fail on us and what did we do?, we trotted our happy A-- down to Home Depot and got a cheap lock or closer, not worrying whether it was certified or not. I know in my building I have a "B" load of Quickset door handles, guess what, they're not UL Certified and will cause the door to fail. Same thing with closers..

OK, talked with my State AHCA Life Safety Inspector and he did tell me that they are using the 2006 codes, HOWEVER, the LCDR (FED GUY) that may come in after him, uses the 2000 codes.

Anyway what I am doing to try to satisfy this requirement is:

-- Catalog all my fire doors with numbers I have given them.
-- Using a spreadsheet, made up a card on each of the doors with the local number, location of the door, fire rating, and rating tag number
-- I made up a section in my Life Safety Book, "Annual Fire Door Inspection" and keep the file cards there.
-- Being a "Knowledgeable Individual", perform the inspection IAW the Quick Reference Checklist (that ES3 provided) to the best of my ability. Taking a hard look at the door hardware to ensure it is UL Listed.
-- For doors which don't have any rating tag, I have to contract a CDI to come in and validate them, I have 2 doors that need to have that accomplished. Other doors I have to change out some of the hardware.

I'm taking a stab at this, but I understand the next maintenance managers meeting in Jax on 9/11/09, ES3 will have a CDI present for Q & A session.

16. International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Fire Doors

16.1 About these standards for inspecting commercial fire doors

Many buildings, including schools, high-rises, health care facilities, churches, office buildings, factories, and warehouses are likely to have fire doors. Should a fire occur, the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants and emergency responders depends on the regular inspection of fire doors.

16.2 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to establish international standards for the inspection of commercial fire doors. This document also provides a universal, commercial fire door inspection reporting form.

16.3 Definitions

16.3.1 Fire door specific definitions

· Active Leaf: The door of a pair of swinging doors that is normally used.
· =2 0Automatic-Closing Device: A device that causes the door to close when activated by a fusible link or heat-actuated device.
· Barrel: A cylindrical part of a rolling steel fire door that contains the counterbalance springs.
· Bottom Bar: The lower edge of the door assembly.
· Coordinator: A device used on pairs of swinging doors that causes the inactive leaf to close before the active leaf.
· Flame Baffle: A hinged piece of sheet metal that closes the space between the top of a rolling steel fire door and its hood.
· Fusible Link: A device consisting of pieces of metal held together by solder that melts during a fire.
· Hood: A sheet metal housing that contains the rolled door.
· Inactive Leaf: The door of a pair of swinging doors that is normally latched.
· Noncombustible: Not capable of igniting when subjected to& nbsp;fire.
· Sill: The bottom part of a doorway opening.

16.3.2 Terminology commonly found in commercial property inspection reports

Visit http://www.nachi.org/comsop.htm#2

16.4 Goal of the inspection

The goal of a commercial fire door inspection is to provide an indication as to whether or not the door is in a state of readiness to perform its intended function during a fire.

16.5 Limitations

It is not the purpose of this standard to establish inspection procedures to determine the fire rating or the degree of protection provided by a fire door or surrounding wall, determine the need for a fire door in any particular location, determine proper placement of detectors, determine the functionality of fire detection systems, heat test fusible links, determine the combustibility of floor coverings extending through doorways, inspect accordion, folding, hoistway, elevator, chute, access, or dumbwaiter doors, inspect fire windows, or inspect fabric fire safety curtains.

16.6 Optional add-on inspection service

InterNACHI's Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties does not require the inspector t o perform fire door inspections. This fire door inspection may be offered in conjunction with a complete commercial property inspection or as a separate, stand-alone inspection service.

16.7 Inspection Frequency

Fire doors should be inspected after any incidents that may have damaged the door or its components or upon noticing possible damage, but not less than annually.

16.8 Visual Inspection

16.8.1 The inspector should visually inspect from both sides of the door assembly.
16.8.2 The inspector should inspect the door opening and surrounding area for potential obstructions or items or conditions that might interfere with the free operation of the door.
16.8.3 The inspector should inspect for auxiliary items that could interfere with door operation.
16.8.4 The inspector should inspect for missing or insecure mounting and assembly bolts.
16.8.5 The inspector should inspect for evidence of field modifications that may void the door’s fire rating.
16.8.6 The inspector should inspect for open holes or breaks that exist in either the door or frame.
16.8.7 The inspector should inspect for failed glazing and glazing beads that are not intact or securely fastened.
16.8.8 The inspector should inspect for missing or broken parts.
16.8.9 The inspector should inspect for combustible sills. Sill should be noncombustible.
16.8.10 The inspector should inspect for clearances (of swinging doors) between the top and vertical edges of the door and the frame, and the meeting edges of doors swinging in pairs, measured from the pull side of the door, that exceed 1/8 inch (3.18 mm) + 1/16 inch (1.59 mm) for steel doors and + 1/8 inch (3.18 mm) for wood doors.
16.8.11 The inspector should inspect for clearances (of swinging doors) under the bottom of the door that exceed ¾ inch (19 mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) for doors that have sills more than 38 inches (965 mm) above the finished floor (such as repair counters).
16.8.12 The inspector should inspect the opening (of sliding doors) at the sides and top for overlaps that are less than 4 inches (102 mm).
16.8.13 The inspector should inspect and note whether or not combustible floor coverings extend through the door opening. Although depending on the rating of the door, some combustible floor coverings are permitted to extend through door openings, determining compliance lies beyond the scope of a commercial fire door inspection. Combustible flooring should never extend through doorways protected by 3-hour (or greater) rated fire doors.

16.9 Operational Check

16.9.1 Before checking, the inspector should identify anything that might create a hazard during the operational check. If, in the opinion of the inspector, a hazard might be created by operating the door, the inspector shall not perform the operational check portion of the inspection.
16.9.2 The inspector should open and close the door using normal operation. Doors should open and close easily.
16.9.3 The inspector should inspect the condition of any gaskets or edge seals.
16.9.5 The inspector should inspect the guides and bearings for lack of lubrication.
16.9.6 The inspector should inspect for blocking or wedging of doors in the open position or blocked or wedged release arms and weights (of sliding and rolling doors).
16.9.7 The inspector should inspect for kinked, pinched, twisted, or excessively worn chains or cables (of sliding and rolling doors).
16.9.8 The inspector should inspect the condition of any fusible links and heat–actuated devices (if equipped). Links should not be painted or coated with dust or grease.
16.9.9 The inspector should inspect signs installed on the surface of the fire door for interference with the proper operation of the door.

16.9.10 The inspector should inspect for signage that exceeds 5 percent of the total area of the face of the fire door to which they are attached.
16.9.11 The inspector should inspect for signs that are attached by mechanical means such as screws or nails. Signs should be attached to fire doors by use of adhesive only..
16.10 Simulation (drop) Test

16.10.1 Before testing, the inspector should identify anything that might create a hazard during testing. If, in the opinion of the inspector, a hazard might be created by testing, the inspector shall not perform the testing portion of the inspection.
16.10.2 The inspector should perform all testing and resetting of the release mechanism in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If inst ructions are not made available at the time of the inspection, the inspector should continue only if the inspector has knowledge and understanding of the operating components of that type of door.
16.10.3 The inspector should inspect for missing closing devices (self or automatic). Every fire door should have a closing device.
16.10.4 The inspector should test any self-closing devices (of swinging doors) to assure that they close and latch the door completely when operated from the full open position.
16.10.5 The inspector should inspect closing mechanisms (of swinging doors) for hold-open features. Closing mechanisms should not have hold-open features unless they are on doors that are designed to automatically close during an alarm condition.
16.10.6 The inspector should test any coordinators (of dual leaf doors) for failure to close the inactive leaf before the active leaf. A coordinator is not needed where each door leaf closes and latches independently of the other.
16.10.7 The inspector should inspect for latching hardware that fails to operate or fails to secure the door when it is in the closed position.
16.10.8 The inspector should inspect for normal operation and full closure (of sliding and rolling doors) with an initial simulation (drop) test.
16.10.9 The inspector should inspect the closing for speeds slower than 6 inches per second (152 mm/sec) or faster than 24 inches per second (610 mm/sec).
16.10.10 The inspector should perform a second simulation (drop) test (of sliding and rolling doors) to verify that the automatic-closing device has been reset.

16.11 Sample Reporting Language
____________________

Commercial Fire Door Inspection Report

Client ____________________________________________________________________________________

Location of garage door ______________________________________________________________________

This inspection was performed in substantial compliance with InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Fire Doors. It is designed to provide an indication as to whether or not the door is in a state of readiness to perform its intended function during a fire. Fire doors should be inspected after any incidents that may have damaged the door or upon noticing possible damage, but not less than annually. A signed copy of this report should be maintained and made available to the authority having jurisdiction, insurance representatives, employees, and other interested parties.

___The inspector was not able to visually inspect from both sides of the door assembly.
___The inspector noted obstructions in the surrounding area that could interfere with the operation of the door.
___The inspector noted missing or insecure mounting and assembly bolts.
___The inspector noted auxiliary items that interfere with door operation.
___The inspector noted open holes or breaks that exist in either the door or frame.
___The inspector noted evidence of field modifications that may void the door’s fire rating.
___The inspector noted failed glazing or glazing beads that are not intact or securely fastened.
___The inspector noted missing or broken parts.
___The inspector noted combustible sills.
___The inspector noted clearances (of swinging doors) between the top or vertical edges of the door and the frame, or the meeting edges of doors swinging in pairs, measured from the pull side of the door, that exceed 1/8 inch (3.18 mm) + 1/16 inch (1.59 mm) for steel doors and + 1/8 inch (3.18 mm) for wood doors.
___The inspector noted clearances (of swinging doors) under the bottom of the door that exceed ¾ inc (19 mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) for doors that have sills more than 38 inches (965 mm) above the finished floor (such as repair counters).
___The inspector noted overlaps at the sides or top (of horizontally sliding doors) that are less than 4 inches (102 mm).
___The inspector noted combustible floor coverings extending through the door opening. Although depending on the fire rating of the door, some combustible floor coverings are permitted to extend through door openings, determining compliance lies beyond the scope of this inspection. Combustible flooring should never extend through doorways protected by 3-hour (or greater) rated fire doors.
___The inspector identified a condition that might20create a hazard during the operational check and so did not perform the operational check portion of the inspection.
___The inspector noted that the door does not open and close easily using normal operating procedures. Doors should open and close easily.
___The inspector noted that the gaskets or edge seals were in poor condition.
___The inspector noted that the guides and bearings lacked lubrication.
___The inspector noted blocking or wedging of doors in the open position or blocked or wedged release arms and weights (of sliding or rolling doors).
___The inspector noted kinked, pinched, twisted, or excessively worn chains or cables (of sliding or rolling doors).
___The inspector noted that the fusible links or heat–actuated devices (if equipped) were painted or coated with dust or grease.
___The inspector noted that the signs installed on the surface of the fire door might interfere with the proper operation of the door.
___The inspector noted signage that exceeds 5 percent of the total area of the face of the fire door to which they were attached.
___The inspector noted signs that were attached by mechanical means such as screws or nails. Signs should be attached to fire doors by use of adhesive only.
___The inspector identified a condition that might create a hazard during testing and so did not perform the simulated (drop) testing portion of the inspection.
___The inspector noted that the manufacturer’s testing and resetting instructions were not made available at the time of the inspection.
___The inspector noted missing closing devices (self or automatic). Every fire door should have a closing device.
___The inspector noted that the self-closing devices (of swinging doors) do not close and latch the door completely when operated from the full open position.
___The inspector noted that the closing mechanisms (of swinging doors) include hold-open features. Closing mechanisms should not have hold-open features unless they are on doors that are designed to automatically close during an alarm condition.
___The inspector noted coordinators (of dual leaf doors) failed to close the inactive leaf before the active leaf. A coordinator is not needed where each door leaf closes and latches independently of the other.
___The inspector noted latching hardware that failed to operate or failed to secure the door when it is in the closed position.
___The inspector noted abnormal operation or partial closure (of sliding and rolling doors) with the initial drop test.
___The inspector noted that the closing speed was slower than 6 inches per second (152 mm/sec) or faster than 24 inches per second (610 mm/sec).
___The inspector noted that the second drop test (of sliding and rolling doors) failed to reset the automatic-closing device.


This inspection was performed by _________________________ Signature _____________________________

This inspection report expires on _________________________ (one year from the date of inspection).