www.FireDoorInspector.org

[Blaine Wiley]

Ok, I know I'm a rookie, but please.

In almost 15 years of inspecting residential and commercial buildings, I have never once been asked to inspect a fire door. I have reported upon the presence of them, but that is where it ends.

I wouldn't put my name on a sticker with an official looking bar code designed to make the inspection look more official than it is stating that the fire door was installed and will perform as intended in the event of an emergency unless I was familiar with the exact manufacturer install instructions and the local fire marshal requirements.

Any smart businessman will carefully weigh the amount of income vs. the potential costs of the income to take a proper decision.

Weigh this one carefully.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Ok, I know I'm a rookie, but please.

In almost 15 years of inspecting residential and commercial buildings, I have never once been asked to inspect a fire door. I have reported upon the presence of them, but that is where it ends.

I wouldn't put my name on a sticker with an official looking bar code designed to make the inspection look more official than it is stating that the fire door was installed and will perform as intended in the event of an emergency unless I was familiar with the exact manufacturer install instructions and the local fire marshal requirements.

Any smart businessman will carefully weigh the amount of income vs. the potential costs of the income to take a proper decision.

Weigh this one carefully.

SSSHHHHHHH....First, we sell the training. Then....we go out and find a market.

[Nick Gromicko]

I wouldn't put my name on a sticker with an official looking bar code designed to make the inspection look more official than it is stating that the fire door was installed and will perform as intended in the event of an emergency

God no. Neither would I.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

Darren,

Its not the POINT. TZh reality is that the doors are certified through UL based on the manufacturer's installation specifications, and through the inspection of said assembly by the building inspector and fire marshall after initial installation by the manufacturer's installer or representative.

Unless there is a modification, renovation, change of use, or new installation, the assembly is not re-examined.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons we dont see or hear about this stuff.

That being said, now the HI comes along and offers this new "service". On top of that, he puts his name on the doors inspection tag.

I believe Gary Heller here in Phoenix offers this service.

Where there was no finger to point at in the past, there is one now. I am not only speaking of strict liability relating to the door actually acting as a fire barrier, but any and all injuries associated with it, including a child getting their fingers pinched or crushed.

Remember, fire-rated assemblies/doors sometimes serve as a pass-through between rooms, and swing when opened and closed. We also spoke of pressure and speed of return, etc.

Finally, what heppens when you say its fine, and the client puts plans in for renovation, only to discover that the revised code requires a different size opening, style of door, or endurance rating. Now the client is staring at a cost not previously considered, as you said the assembly was okay.

My point in all of this is that these are beyond the scope of an inspection, until yo say it is included. Unfortunately, your E&O carrier will still say its beyond any SOP, and not indemnify you for it.

So, its fine if you are AWARE of the pitfalls and choose to move ahead with this stuff. But, one needs to consider all the possibilities, and examine the risk/benefit factor.

That's all we are saying here.

Joe, at one time I carried an AWS Certified Welding Inspector Bug, which meant I was trained and certified to inspect welds, on prettty much whatever you could imagine that was welded.

I am sure that if I wanted to get some National Fire Door inspection cert it would be the same.

I believe Gary Heller here in Phoenix might be doing these now. http://inspectingarizona.com/commerc...spections.html