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5 Basic Criteria for Verifying the Condition of a Fire Door Assembly

25 March 2022

Residential, commercial, and industrial properties must be built properly so they can carry out their core functions. But aside from carrying out core functions, these properties must also be built to protect people from any danger. One prominent cause of property damages is fire. Without extinguishing it right away, it can quickly destroy all the things on its path. Fire can likewise cause injuries and even death.

To avoid acquiring damages and causing injuries, properties should be engulfed with a passive fire protection system. One part of this system that must be present in the building is a fire door assembly.

An Overview of a Fire Door Assembly

A fire door assembly is a part of a passive fire protection system that aims to compartmentalise the property if a fire occurs. It can likewise deter the spread of flames, smoke, and toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to anyone who may be trapped inside the affected property.

The effectiveness of a fire door assembly relies on the quality and condition of its parts. With regular assessment, maintenance, repair, and replacement, a fire door assembly can effectively stop a fire and its accompanying elements from reaching other parts of a property.

Keep Fire Door Assembly Operational

If you currently have a fire door assembly, there are a couple of ways to maintain its operations.

One way to ensure the operations of this assembly is to clear the doorway. Doors will never be effective in providing space for occupants during a fire emergency if they are blocked by stock, debris, and others. Keeping the doorway clear ensures that you and others can evacuate immediately. Another way to keep fire door assembly operational is to lubricate the door hinges. Cleaning and lubricating the door hinges regularly can ensure that you and others can leave the premises during emergencies.

Other ways to keep your fire door assembly operational are keeping the exit signs illuminated, ensuring visibility of fire door labels, assessing fire door frames and hardware, and verifying tight door seals.

Verify Fire Door Assembly Condition

While the fire door assembly can be maintained effectively, it must still be inspected by a professional to ensure that it can be effective during a fire incident. Here are five basic criteria that inspectors consider in verifying the condition of the fire door assembly.

  1. Clear and Legible Labels: Labels must be clear and legible so they can pinpoint the areas where people can evacuate during an emergency.
  2. Fastened Glazing and Glass Kit: Glazing and glass kits or glass beads must be fastened for them to be effective. They must also be labelled appropriately.
  3. Operational Door, Frame, and Hardware: Inspectors check the operations of doors, frames, and hardware components to confirm if they can be closed fully or not.
  4. Compatible Gasketing and Edge Seals: Gaskets and edge seals must fit the specifications of the fire door so they can deter smoke and other fire elements from spreading during a fire incident.
  5. Optimal Door Clearances: Clearances are necessary so that the doors can be opened and operate accordingly.

Through these elements, inspectors can identify if the fire door assembly can be effective during a fire incident or not. To know more about fire door assembly, you can call us at Key Compliance.