How to Comply with NFPA 80 Fire Door Requirements

Fire safety isn’t just about alarms and sprinklers—fire doors play a crucial role in preventing fire and smoke from spreading through a building. But having fire doors installed isn’t enough. If they aren’t properly inspected and maintained, they can fail at the worst possible moment.

This is where NFPA 80 comes in. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) establishes fire safety standards to protect buildings and occupants. NFPA 80 specifically governs the installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire doors. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about protecting lives and property.

What Does NFPA 80 Regulate, and Why Is It Essential?

NFPA 80 is updated every three to five years to enhance fire protection standards in buildings. These updates ensure that fire doors perform as intended, effectively containing fire and smoke. While many existing doors may be grandfathered in under older codes, severely outdated or non-compliant doors may require modifications or full replacement.

At Door Services Corporation, a part of Door Services Corporation, we understand the critical role fire doors play in protecting people and property. Compliance isn’t just about meeting industry regulations—it’s about ensuring safety and peace of mind. That’s why we specialize in fire door inspections and maintenance, helping building owners and facility managers stay ahead of potential compliance issues.

Our team of trained professionals conducts inspections in accordance with NFPA 80 standards, ensuring fire doors function properly when they’re needed most. Whether in healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, or other high-traffic environments, we provide thorough assessments and proactive maintenance to keep fire doors in top condition.

How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?

One of the most common misconceptions about fire doors is that once they are installed, they don’t need further attention. That’s a dangerous assumption.

NFPA 80 requires that all fire doors be inspected at least once a year. Any door that fails inspection must be repaired or replaced immediately, and if any modifications are made, the door must be re-inspected to ensure compliance. Won-Door manufactures, installs, inspects, and maintains fire doors. Technicians are trained to factory specifications, and many of them have as much as 35 years of experience! This level of expertise ensures that fire doors are maintained correctly, reducing the risk of failure in an emergency.

As a partner of Won-Door Corporation, we also support the compliance and performance of their fire-rated door systems and we ensure compliance by providing fire door inspections for our clients.

We specialize in maintenance and inspections for various fire doors, including those used in healthcare facilities and commercial buildings. By working with Door Services Corporation, building owners and facility managers can ensure their fire doors are inspected and maintained by experienced professionals who understand NFPA 80 regulations inside and out. Our service teams can conduct inspections as part of a broader maintenance program, helping to prevent compliance issues before they arise.

What Are the Key Components of a Fire Door That Must Be Inspected?

A thorough fire door inspection evaluates multiple components to ensure that the door will function correctly in an emergency. Key inspection points include:

• Obstructions: The path must be clear. Won-Door fire doors, in particular, are designed to be out of sight, maximizing open space. But that means people often forget they are there—until an inspection reveals non-compliance. It is often said,  “It’s not what you see, it’s what you don’t see”, and that’s why regular inspections are critical.
• Closure and Seal: Fire doors must close and seal completely when a fire alarm or smoke detector triggers them. Over time, adjustments may be needed to maintain a proper seal.
• Electrical Components and Backup Systems: Fire doors with automated controls must be inspected to ensure their electrical components function properly. Backup batteries are especially critical—if they fail, the door won’t deploy in an emergency.  There have been cases where a building cut power to the door years ago without realizing it. If a fire had occurred, the door wouldn’t have worked. Regular inspections prevent these types of oversights.
• Path of Egress: Exit devices must function correctly, allowing occupants to escape when necessary. A fire door can’t just close and trap somebody inside – fire codes require that exit devices operate within specific parameters to ensure safe evacuation.
• Temperature-Triggered Sealing: If one side of the door reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the egress is disabled, and the door permanently seals. A fusible link melts at this temperature, ensuring the fire doesn’t spread. At that temperature, survival on the other side of the door is nearly impossible. The code accounts for that reality.
• Reset Function: After an activation, the fire door must reset properly and remain open until needed again. If a door closes during an inspection but doesn’t reset, it’s a failure that must be addressed immediately.

How Do You Properly Document Inspections to Stay Compliant?

Compliance isn’t just about inspecting doors—it’s also about maintaining proper records. NFPA 80 requires that fire door inspection reports be retained for at least three years. In industries like healthcare, where fire code compliance is strictly enforced, documentation must be readily available to inspectors. If a fire marshal asks for records and they’re missing, it’s as if the inspection never happened.

Fire door inspection reports should include:

• The date and location of the inspection
• The condition of all components
• Any failures or deficiencies found
• Repairs completed (if any)
• The inspector’s name and credentials

What Happens If a Building Is Not Compliant?

Non-compliance with NFPA 80 can have serious consequences. A fire marshal or local fire inspector has the authority to revoke a building’s certificate of occupancy if fire doors are not properly maintained. They can shut down a building until it meets fire code. Beyond regulatory penalties, a non-functioning fire door could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

How Can Building Owners Ensure Ongoing NFPA 80 Compliance?

The best way to stay compliant is to schedule regular inspections and maintenance. Many building owners opt for annual contracts or multi-year agreements to simplify compliance. All of Door Services Corporation locations offer multi-year inspections, which means owners don’t have to worry about scheduling. We reach out when it’s due, show up, get the inspection done, and you’re good for another year.

For facilities that operate 24/7, such as hospitals, scheduling inspections can be tricky. If your facility can’t afford downtime, then we work around your schedule by offering inspections during off-hours, weekends, and even holidays. If an area of a hospital is undergoing maintenance, then we align our inspections with that schedule to minimize disruption.

Conclusion: Fire Door Safety Is an Ongoing Commitment

Fire doors are one of the most overlooked elements of a building’s fire protection system. Because they’re often out of sight, they’re easy to forget—until they fail. Compliance with NFPA 80 isn’t just about following regulations; it’s about ensuring that fire doors will work when they’re needed most.

Regular inspections, proper documentation, and proactive maintenance are the keys to keeping a building safe and compliant. Whether through annual inspections or multi-year maintenance agreements, staying ahead of compliance requirements is the best way to avoid costly penalties and, more importantly, protect lives.

If your building’s fire doors haven’t been inspected recently, now is the time to act. Schedule a Fire Door Inspection today to ensure your building meets NFPA 80 standards and remains protected.