In the overhead door industry, we know that rolling fire steel doors not only provide security, but also serve as the front line of fire protection designed to prevent the migration of fire and smoke throughout a building. We’re also aware that these closures will only respond to a fire event as planned if one annual activity takes place: periodic fire door inspection and drop testing.

The significance of periodic inspections cannot be understated. Testing ensures that the door works as intended and will perform as expected during ordinary and emergency use. It includes a visual damage inspection, a physical evaluation of how the door operates, and the actual drop test (where a fire door is activated and reset twice to prove that it’s been set up properly).

If not executed correctly by an experienced and trained rolling fire door technician, an improperly conducted fire door inspection procedure can spell– and has spelled – disaster. This is why, after many years of discussions, articles, and proposals, the National Fire Protection Association has approved new language for the 2022 publication of NFPA 80, Chapter 5.

According to our own David Dawdy, Director of Fire and Life Safety and New Product Development, there are key changes to the standard, including:

• A clearer definition of who a “qualified person” is regarding periodic (annual) inspections and drop testing – NFPA 80 will now include language that reads “periodic inspections and testing shall be performed by a trained rolling steel fire door systems technician.” – Effective January 2022.
• This technician is defined as someone “employed in the rolling steel fire door industry with documented training by a recognized industry organization or by a manufacturer of a listed rolling steel fire door.” – Effective January 2022.
• New International Fire Code verbiage: “Rolling steel fire doors shall be inspected and tested annually by a trained rolling steel fire door systems technician in accordance with the applicable provisions of NFPA 80. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.” – This will be published in the 2024 edition of IFC, available in fall 2023.
• Although NFPA 80 is a standard that isn’t necessarily enforceable, IFC actually is enforceable code, and building officials are obligated to enforce the code as written.

All service technicians will be subject to producing proof of training when annually inspecting and drop testing fire doors and shutters. It should be clearly understood that this is not a requirement for installation, however, it is a new era of inspection responsibility and professionalism required of our industry, enhancing fire protection and life safety in facilities around the globe.

For more information on the updates to NFPA 80, visit the resources below:

• National Fire Protection Association – NFPA 80 – Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
• David Dawdy’s article in International Door and Operator Safety – “Trained Rolling Steel Fire Door Technicians: We Have Become Enabled,” p. 52
• Cornell blog – “Fire Door Drop Testing – What You Don’t Know”

This is great news for the safety of anyone who owns, works in, or visits a building and for the rolling fire door and fire protection industries. Making buildings safer for everyone involved is a win-win, and we’re excited to be part of these important changes.

For more information, reach out by phone: 833.958.1273 or contact form: cornelliron.com/contact-us. 

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