How to identify fire-rated openings
Did you know that since the State of NJ adopted NFPA80 just before COVID-19 hit, it is the LAW to have your fire doors inspected at least once a year? Fines for non-compliance can rack up FAST into $10,000s+.
Since the adoption of NFPA80 in NJ, Hogan Security Group has inspected more than 10,000 fire-rated doors in multi-family housing, higher education, healthcare facilities, K-12 and more, in NJ, MA, DE, PA and NY.
Why? Because as certified fire door inspectors, we know that fire doors save lives and are part of your total fire safety system.
The most common question our clients ask us is: how do I know if I have fire doors in my facility?
Here’s how. Grab a ladder (be careful, think OSHA) and let’s go look at some doors and frames.
Check each interior door (your exterior doors are not going to be fire-rated). Check the top rail of the door. Check both the hinge and lock edge. Check the frame. A fire-rated door will have a label indicating its status and the duration - 20 minutes, 60 minutes, etc. The label should be on the door, and frame. If you see a label on the frame, the door must be fire-rated also. The label will look like one of the examples on the thumbnail on this post. If you see a label you can’t identify, text Guy, one of our door safety & security specialists, on 609-577-8475 and he’ll help.
The second most common question our clients ask us is: my wooden doors aren’t fire-rated, right?
They could be. Wood doors can be fire-rated too, so check those edges and frames for labels also.
The third most common question our clients ask us is: how do I know if my fire-rated doors are ok?
This is where you call in a certified fire door inspector, like Hogan Security Group. We inspect each fire-rated opening to a checklist with more than 20 diagnostics that matter. We submit a report to you on each door, citing any deficiencies that need to be addressed. And if you want the experts in doors and door hardware to fix those deficiencies for you - we can do that too. One of our clients dropped their former vendor and awarded us their business because our reports are more detailed and user-friendly than most. We’re very proud of this.
To stay compliant with NFPA80 - and more importantly, potentially save lives:
Check your facility for fire-rated doors
Check every interior door
Call Hogan Security Group for a fire door inspection by the certified experts