You can’t fight fire with fire, but you can contain it. Ensuring your fire doors are fully functional and up to code is essential to protecting your building, employees and visitors.
The U.S. Fire Association reported that a study by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) found over 1.5 million residential and non-residential fires burned in the United States in 2022, leading to 3,790 deaths and over $18.1 billion in direct dollar loss.
More than one third (35%) of fires in 2022 occurred in or on structures, and most of the fire losses that year were caused by these fires, amounting to 2,790 (77%) of the civilian fire deaths, 11,720 (88%) of the civilian fire injuries, and $15 billion (83%) of the direct property damage.
Fire doors play a vital role in reducing these damages and saving lives.
The NFPA 80 3.3.52, defines fire door assemblies as “any combination of a fire door, a frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a specific degree of fire protection to the opening.”
Fire doors protect escape routes from the effects of fire and limit the amount of oxygen available to slow or stop the spread of fire. They are an essential piece of protection, designed to sustain fire anywhere from 20-180 minutes (depending on the protection rating), granting first responders more time to arrive.
“Fire door inspections and building code compliance are critical to ensuring the safety of any commercial building,” said Nicole Casa, Fire Door Inspection Program Manager at The Cook & Boardman Group and CFDAI, DSI, QFDI, QFDT. “A properly functioning fire door can mean the difference between containing a fire and a catastrophic event.”
But, for fire doors to be fully effective, they must be maintained, fully operational and compliant with current safety codes. Inspections and testing are required after installation, after maintenance and annually.
Keeping up with regular fire door inspections, maintenance, and repairs is the best way to keep your building safe and compliant.
Compliant fire doors are critical in protecting your building from fire hazards, helping to contain and prevent the spread of fires, and ensuring the safety of your employees and customers.
Regular inspections and maintenance can improve your ability to negotiate better insurance rates, saving your business money in the long run by demonstrating your commitment to safety.
Prompt repairs and ongoing maintenance prevent major issues down the road, helping you avoid costly repairs and potential fines for non-compliance with safety regulations.
Fire door maintenance and repairs require experience and proper documentation to remain in compliance. It’s essential to remember that:
Building owners are responsible for ensuring that the fire doors in their facilities are maintained properly and a part of an annual inspection program.
Understanding and following these guidelines can be daunting. The team at The Cook & Boardman Group offers full-service inspections and repairs from industry experts, ensuring your fire doors are fully functional and compliant.
“By staying vigilant with regular inspections and adhering to code requirements, we not only protect lives but also preserve the integrity of the structures we rely on,” said Casa. "Compliance isn't just about meeting standards—it's about prioritizing safety at every level.”
Let us take care of your fire doors so you can focus on your business. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or repair service and ensure your facility is protected.