Annual fire door inspections in your state?

[Ben J. Gromicko]

NFPA 80 – 2007 now establishes a mandatory 1-year inspection of all fire rated doors.

Most (if not all) states have adopted the IBC and IFC building and construction codes. Since both IBC and IFC 2009 editions reference NFPA 80, 2007 edition, each of those states (unless specifically altered by the AHJ) are ready to go with implementation of the annual fire door inspection requirement.

Agree?

Check the following link. States that have adopted the codes that reference NFPA 80 and 101.
International Code Adoptions

[James E. Braun, CMI]

So since Missouri uses 2000 IBC codes, this does not effect Missour yet, correct?

The last time I looked up any IBC codes was about 5 years ago and they was using the 2000 IBC. Sad but true.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Looking up your state code (in relation to Fire Door Inspections):

To find out what codes your state has adopted, visit: http://www.iccsafe.org/GR/Pages/adoptions.aspx

Click on your state. Read the codes your state has adopted. You can scroll down to your county and read which codes your county has adopted.

Question:

What if the code your state or county has adopted references another code or standard?

Let’s take Colorado, for example.
Using the link above, we find all of the codes the state of Colorado and Boulder county in particular have adopted. They are:

Colorado Statewide:

All State Buildings & Facilities: IBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC. All Public Schools & Junior Colleges: IBC, IFC, IMC, IPC, IFGC

* 2006 International Building Code
* 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
* 2006 International Fire Code
* 2006 International Fuel Gas Code
* 2006 International Mechanical Code
* 2006 International Plumbing Code
* 2006 International Residential Code
* 2006 International Existing Building Code

Boulder County

* 2006 International Building Code
* 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
* 2006 International Fuel Gas Code
* 2006 International Mechanical Code
* 2006 International Plumbing Code
* 2006 International Residential Code
* 2006 International Urban-Wildland Interface Code

We see that Colorado and Boulder County has adopted the IBC 2006. Let’s see what the IBC 2006 says about referenced code.

Go to the International Building Code (IBC) 2006

It states:

Section 101.4 Reference Codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

The sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 reference ICC Electrical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Property Maintenance Code, International Fire Code, and International Energy Conservation Code.

Chapter 35 of the IBC is titled Referenced Standards and lists the standards that are referenced in various sections of the IBC. These standards are an extension of the IBC code and become law to the extent to which they are referenced. A standard is a published technical document that represents an industry consensus on how a material or assembly is to be designed, manufactured, tested, or installed in order for a specific level of performance to be obtained. Although the code establishes the minimum quality and performance criteria for a material, installation or method of design, the code relies on the reference standards to provide the criteria to determine whether a material or method is in compliance with the code provisions.

Among the referenced standards are NFPA 80 Fire Doors and Fire Windows and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.

Most important point:

Referenced standards in the IBC are considered part of the code, which allows them to be as enforceable as the code itself.

What is important about NFPA 80?

NFPA 80 now establishes a mandatory 1-year inspection of all fire rated doors.

The previous NFPA 80 code has always stated that the building owner had to maintain fire rated openings in a manner for which they were intended. Fire officials have always tried to enforce this, but now the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) has given the officials some power to enforce this, by creating a Mandatory Annual Inspection Program of all fire rated openings in a building by a certified party... say... an InterNACHI Certified Fire Door Inspector perhaps.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Most of Missouri is still using the 2000 IBC, so no fire door inspections yet.
Sad but true.

[James A. Levy]

I have been paying a small amount of attention to this and started marketing FD inspections through my commercial site. No takers yet, but really just started. I have the Nachi FD SOP made into a template for HIP which I think Dom will put into his next release.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

The role of the fire door inspector is to simply record and report the condition of the door assemblies to the owner. The building owner will have to decide if, when, and what corrective actions will be taken; otherwise, they will run the risk of being cited for violations by the AHJ.

Inspectors are not passing or failing door assemblies, nor are they approving them. Inspectors inspect, record and report the condition. (That's a task that's very familiar to property inspectors.) Only the AHJ has the authority to approve, in this case, the door assemblies and building elements within their jurisdiction.

Liability for the maintenance and care of fire-rated door assemblies rests solidly on the shoulders of the building owners. However, in today’s society no one is immune from being sued and an inspector is a possible candidate, especially if problems arise subsequent to an inspection. Proper documentation of the inspections and proof of proper training will help to protect the inspectors should legal proceedings be initiated.

I think fire door inspections and property inspectors are a perfect match. IMHO 80% of the skill set is already there. Home inspectors just need another 20% of specific knowledge about fire doors.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by jlevy1

I have been paying a small amount of attention to this and started marketing FD inspections through my commercial site. No takers yet, but really just started. I have the Nachi FD SOP made into a template for HIP which I think Dom will put into his next release.

Yup, I already have it packaged in there! Thanks Drew

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Top 10 Common Problems at Swinging Fire Doors:

• Painted or missing labels
• Inadequate clearance around the door perimeter when door is closed
• Kick down door holders
• Auxiliary hardware that interferes with the door's function (dead bolts, etc.)
• Blockage keeping the door open
• Area around the door blocked by furniture, equipment, storage, etc.
• Broken, defective or missing hardware of the door assembly
• Fire exit hardware installed on doors that are not rated for use with that type of hardware
• Missing or improper fasteners
• Bottom flush bolts that do not project 1/2 inch into the strikes