Fire-Rated Doors – Why Do Hospitals Need Them?

Fire-rated doors are an essential component to your comprehensive passive fire protection plan. BRAND SERVICES offers detailed fire door inspections, repairs, replacements, and labeling throughout New England, NY, PA, NJ, DE, D.C. Designed to slow the speed of a spreading fire, smoke, and potential toxins, a fire-rated door is critical to providing occupants adequate time to safety evacuate a building or area.

How Are Fire-Rated Doors Graded?

Fire-rated doors are given a rating by a certified testing facility based on the amount of time they can prevent the spread of fire. Ratings range between 20, 45, 60, 90 and 180 minute increments. Ratings granted to the door and frame as a whole are based on the component of the door that can withstand the least amount of time exposed to fire.

For example, if the frame of the door is granted a 90 minute rating, the body of the door may be projected to last 90 minutes; however, if the lock has a fire rating duration of 20 minutes, then the frame’s 90-minute rating will be superseded by the lock’s shorter rating. The door in its entirety will therefore receive a fire-rating of 20 minutes. Should a fire-door not be labeled, it will be considered a failed door, and a certified testing laboratory will have to re-certify the door.

Why Are Fire-Rated Doors Crucial for Hospitals?

In addition to protecting equipment, the structural integrity of the building, and the lives of employees and occupants, fire-rated doors are also important to hospitals because they are part of the necessary criteria to meet the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Should a hospital not meet the requirements of the NFPA as stated in the Life Safety Code, federal reimbursement to that hospital or health care facility can be revoked.

In addition to meeting the requirements of fire-rated doors, the doors must also be annually inspected and tested by a person of knowledge with formal fire door inspection training. A written record of the inspection must also be signed and kept for review by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) such as a fire marshal.

BRAND SERVICES Helps Hospitals Comply With Code

NFPA 80 5.2.3.1 states that the functional testing of fire door and window assemblies must be performed by “individuals with knowledge and understanding of the operating components of the type of door being subjected to testing.” In addition to BRAND’s inspections services we also have a staff of fire door repair technicians that can repair or replace damaged or defective doors or frames.

BRAND inspects and repairs thousands of rated fire doors yearly. Our inspection procedures, documentation systems and highly trained inspectors and repair technicians provide you with a consistent high quality service. When working within hospitals and health care settings, BRAND SERVICES aims to ensure you can feel confident that your building is as protected and compliant. BRAND works in CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, ME, NY, NJ, PA, DE, and D.C.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to fire protection in New England, feel free to contact BRAND SERVICES, serving NJ, NY, CT, PA, RI, and all New England, by clicking here or by calling 888.551.4055.