Signs Your Fire Doors Need Repair

Fire doors are integral to your home’s safety, providing a barrier of resistance and slowing the spread of fire. As a result, it’s critical to address fire door damages or wear and tear promptly, scheduling repairs or replacements as necessary to ensure these doors function properly. Continue reading to learn when it’s time for a fire door repair and the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. 

How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected and Repaired?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80 requires fire door assemblies to be inspected and tested annually. The NFPA establishes these guidelines to ensure safety and property protection.

If left in a closed position, fire doors can prevent fire and smoke from spreading between barriers in your home. They help compartmentalize the fire, smoke and toxic fumes, keeping them from quickly reaching other areas of a building so you can evacuate safely. If not thoroughly inspected or serviced when needed, your fire doors may not work properly in the event of a fire, putting you and other inhabitants at risk. 

While you’ll need to schedule regular professional inspections, you should report poorly working or damaged doors between visits. For example, you might check your fire doors every six months — or three months for heavy use — just as you would inspect your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Fire doors might require more frequent checks if you’re in a new property, just to ensure everything is working properly. 

How Long Do Fire Doors Last?

There are no set rules for how long fire doors should last, and many factors can impact their life span. That’s why it’s critical to schedule regular fire door inspections and relabeling and recertification services. While sturdy, fire doors are susceptible to wear and tear. They can become unsafe as a result of a fire, excessive use or natural deterioration.

However, a damaged door does not always need to be replaced. In some cases, professionals can repair the door and restore its protective capabilities to help you meet compliance. Common factors that influence a fire door’s life span include:

• Exposure to fire damage.
• Damages from misusing the door.
• Wear and tear from placing too much force on the door.
• Frequency of use over time.
• Natural deterioration.

Fire doors consist of several materials and moving parts, meaning a higher risk of malfunction. They contain a core structure that can degrade over time and experience delamination. The structure can separate with time or from exposure to elements. Visible damages from forced entry or vandalism can also create weakness in the structure. 

Damages and wear can cause noncompliance and put lives at risk. As a result, you’ll want to ensure your fire doors work correctly in case of an emergency. This means inspecting, repairing and replacing damaged or worn parts as soon as possible. 

When to Repair Fire Doors 

Fire doors play an important role in fire safety, so it’s critical to recognize the signs warranting a repair or replacement. Note that repairs or alterations to fire doors must be approved by a qualified inspector to comply with NFPA standards. Common signs of fire door wear include:

• Issues closing the door or keeping it closed firmly.
• Gaps around the edge of the door when closed.
• A stiff door that is difficult to move easily.
• Visible damages, broken hardware on the door or missing parts.
• Glass kits and beads that are not intact.
• A door not closing automatically.
• A door not closing in proper sequence.
• A door failing to self-latch when closed.

Look for performance problems and inspect your fire door to ensure it provides adequate protection. Professionals will follow an NFPA inspection checklist to verify your fire door meets compliance and functions optimally. Due to evolving building regulations, a replacement may sometimes be necessary to help you meet current requirements. 

The Importance of Fire Door Maintenance

Fire door maintenance is a critical part of compliance, helping reduce fire risks and ensuring your fire protection systems work properly. When functioning correctly and serviced as needed, fire doors can save lives, protect your home from severe damage and ensure compliance. Schedule fire door maintenance for the following reasons:

• Prevent costly replacements: With regular maintenance and repairs, you can ensure damages rarely reach the point of needing a full fire door replacement. Professionals can correct issues early, addressing minor defects before they become costly, major ones. This way, you prolong the life span of your fire door and save time and money in the long run.
• Meet compliance: NFPA 80 requires all fire doors to be inspected regularly. They must also have the proper hardware to withstand high temperatures and fire pressures. Failure to address issues promptly and schedule maintenance can result in noncompliance, which can lead to safety hazards, fines and penalties. 
• Protect property: By scheduling routine maintenance and inspections, you can ensure your fire doors function properly in the event of a fire. When working correctly, fire doors can prevent the spread of fire and potentially slow its growth by limiting the amount of oxygen available, protecting your home and assets. Ultimately, scheduling routine fire door maintenance can ensure fire systems safeguard your home’s structure and save you money from fire damage.
• Prevent fire hazards and injuries: Fire doors can protect escape routes from the impact of fire, such as gases and flames, to help inhabitants exit safely. Scheduling routine maintenance helps ensure your fire doors work properly in a fire emergency, preventing fire from spreading and protecting you and your family from injuries. 

If a professional identifies any problems during an inspection, they will repair your fire doors to reduce fire risk. Fire door regulations can be complex, with specific requirements ranging from accessibility to proper hardware. For this reason, it’s critical to work with a professional team to ensure you do not miss any steps. 

Consult Alliance Environmental Group for Prompt Fire Door Repairs and Inspections

Fire doors are critical for home safety, making it essential to know when to repair them. It’s important to check your fire doors regularly and schedule services as needed. Routine inspections are also required, where professionals can identify problem areas you might have missed. 

At Alliance Environmental Group, our knowledgeable team has the expertise necessary to identify and address fire door issues. We provide routine fire door inspections, repairs and replacements to help you meet compliance, protecting your home and inhabitants from fire hazards. Whether you require a one-time fire door service or ongoing maintenance, our experts are ready to assist you.

Contact us to learn more about our residential services or get a quote.