Fire doors serve a critical function in building occupant protection, limiting the spread of fire and smoke. However, they only work if they are properly maintained and regularly inspected. fire door inspection specialists are responsible for inspecting, documenting, and testing fire door assemblies to ensure that they comply with NFPA 80 – Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.
The qualifications for a fire door inspection specialist vary, but the role generally requires a thorough understanding of the construction and operation of fire, egress, and panic doors as well as knowledge of fire safety regulations and standards. It is also helpful if they have experience in the installation, locking systems, and overall functionality of fire doors. Additionally, the person in charge of conducting the inspections should be capable of preparing an inspection report for review by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
In order to qualify for the job, individuals must undergo training and education. This involves studying relevant codes and standards, learning inspection techniques, and completing hands-on practical training involving real buildings. After completing the training and passing an exam, they will receive a certificate proving that they are qualified to perform a fire door inspection.
During an inspection, a fire door inspection specialist will visually examine each of the door’s components to ensure that they are in good condition. They will check that the hinges, latches, and non-combustible thresholds are intact and properly installed. They will also test the operation of each fire door to make sure that it opens and closes correctly. In addition, they will also check that the fire door frames are free of any gaps along the edges of the doors.
While a fire door inspector is an essential role in the facility, it’s important that the doors themselves are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they’re functioning correctly in case of an emergency. For this reason, it’s crucial that maintenance teams conduct regular follow-up inspections and document any issues they find on the doors, such as faulty door hinges or locking systems.
Following a successful inspection, fire door inspection specialists should immediately notify their managers of any problems or deficiencies found on the doors so they can be fixed quickly and efficiently. They should also keep in mind that a successful inspection doesn’t mean the doors are functional or safe to use during an emergency, as the fire door still needs to be tested in a live situation.
In fact, a large percentage of the door failures cited by CMS during accreditation surveys are due to the failure of doors to latch. This is an issue that the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE) has been working to address by developing resources that will help health care facilities comply with new Conditions of Participation from CMS for inspections of fire door assemblies.
Xenia facilitates the seamless communication and collaboration of maintenance teams and inspection specialists, allowing them to share documents, communicate in real time, and collaborate on projects regardless of their location. Using Xenia, facility managers can create checklists, SOPs, and inspection templates to power accountability and ensure consistent results across the facility. They can also use Xenia to track project progress and completion times, and to make data-driven decisions for optimizing future inspections.