Fire doors are a physical barrier between a fire and a potentially safe area. They slow down the movement of fire, and they prevent damage. To assure the integrity of fire doors, they should be inspected regularly. If you have installed fire doors in your building, this blog post will shed light on why regular maintenance is paramount in keeping your fire doors in top shape. 

Maintaining Fire Doors: The Importance of Regular Upkeep

Fire doors are typically installed in entranceways, such as on the entry door of a building, in hallways, or on doors that lead to stairwells. 

Fire doors do more than provide protection from smoke and heat. They actually help protect the fire door itself. Fire doors are designed to close automatically in the event of a fire. This is a safety measure to keep the fire from moving into a potentially safe area. They also protect the door from heat and smoke damage. But if a fire door does not operate properly, it cannot do this.

However, as earlier mentioned, fire doors need to be maintained to do their job.

How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?

Typically, fire doors should be inspected at least twice a year. The first inspection should be performed before the fall and the second one sometime during the spring.

You should also check to make sure that the door opens easily when you pull on the doorknob. The door should open and close easily and should not stick. If it does stick, check to see what is preventing it from opening and closing.

What Happens If Maintenance Checks Are Neglected?

If you neglect to have your fire doors inspected, they could potentially be a fire hazard. If a fire door does not close properly, it leaves a room vulnerable to fire.

A fire door that is not regularly inspected and maintained is at a greater risk of breaking down. In other words, fire doors do not last forever. The hinges, latches, and other parts of a fire door wear out over time and will eventually need to be replaced. This is especially true with wear and tear from the elements.

Conclusion

A fire door will never last forever. These doors need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Failure to do so could lead to a fire hazard in your building. This is why working with a reliable inspector is the key to ensuring the job gets done right.

Should you be in need of a fire door inspection, contact All Things Inspector. We have the inspection tools that you need. We carry specialty tools for fire door inspections, door pressure gauges, door gap gauges, and ADA knee and toe clearance templates. We have a custom line of ADA site survey equipment to quickly check for ADA knee clearance and ADA compliance.