Ensuring Fire Door Compliance with Design Hardware’s 316R Replacement Door Closer
Fire door safety is a critical aspect of building management, especially in healthcare facilities, hotels, and other high-occupancy public buildings where the risk to life is significant. Ensuring that fire doors are compliant with the latest safety codes not only protects property but, more importantly, saves lives. Learn more about how Design Hardware’s 316R Replacement Door Closer can help keep your fire doors code compliant.
Importance of Annual Fire Door Inspections
One key element of ensuring fire door safety is the practice of regular inspections and proper maintenance of fire doors. As a fire door is designed to act as a barrier to contain smoke and flames, its most important duty is to close and latch automatically after every time it is opened. We have seen from the “Close Before You Doze” campaign that even a non-rated door, when closed, makes a dramatic difference in staving off the effects of a fire. As a building ages, components of a fire door opening will undoubtedly require adjustments, repair, or replacement. The Design Hardware 316R replacement door closer offers an innovative solution to address common fire door compliance issues, particularly the key inspection points 2, 7, and 9 noted below.
Beginning in 2007, the NFPA 80 – Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, mandates that swinging fire door assemblies be inspected not less than annually. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure fire doors are in proper working condition so that they can perform as intended. Below is a list of key points to be examined during the inspection.
Key Inspection Points
- Labels are present and legible.
- No holes or breaks in the door or frame.
- Glazing and glass kit/glass beads are intact and securely fastened.
- Door, frame, and hardware are in proper working order.
- No missing or broken parts.
- Door clearances are within allowable limits.
- Door closer/spring hinges are operational and the door self-closes.
- Coordinators ensure that door leaves close in proper sequence (pairs only).
- Door is self-latching in the closed position.
- Opening is not equipped with auxiliary hardware items which interfere with operation.
- No field modifications have been performed that void the label.
- Gasketing and edge seals, where required, are present, continuous, and of the proper type for a fire door.
- Signage on door covers less than 5% of the door face and is not attached with mechanical fasteners.
Highlighting The Problem: Addressing One of The Most Common Fire Door Fails
One of the most common fire door fails is simply that the fire door does not close at all (key point no. 7) or does not close with enough force to properly engage the latch securely in the strike (key point no. 9). A properly functioning door closer takes on the critically important responsibility of closing the door in case of a fire emergency.
During a recent hotel stay, I encountered multiple fire door violations, particularly with door closers not functioning or fire doors being manually propped open. This experience reignited my passion to spread awareness of the importance of fire doors and to highlight a solution from one of my trusted manufacturers.
If a door closer is not functioning properly, it may just need an adjustment. Its “swing or sweep speed” or “latch speed” can be adjusted on most models. In the case that it needs to be replaced, there are the existing closer’s mounting holes (key point no. 2) to be considered. Either you need to find the exact same model or deal with filling in the existing mounting holes with an approved substance and then drill additional mounting holes for your new closer. The Design Hardware 316R Replacement Closer takes care of that problem for you.
Offering the Solution: Introducing the Design Hardware 316R Replacement Door Closer
The Design Hardware 316R replacement door closer is designed to address these compliance issues effectively. This product features a patented installation plate that covers mounting holes from previous door closers, making it an ideal solution for maintaining the integrity of fire doors without the need for extensive modifications. Here’s why the 316R is a game-changer:
- Heavy Duty: The 316R is a heavy-duty door closer that meets ANSI A156.4 Grade 1 standards. It has a rack and pinion design and a cast aluminum body. It is a non-handed closer with adjustable spring power from size 1-6.
- Patented Installation Plate: Covers existing mounting holes of the top 33 closer models.
- UL Listing: The 316R has a UL Listing “A” label and can be installed onto a 3-hour fire-rated door. It also meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements.
- Adjustable Features: This closer has independent latch and swing speed controls, as well as back check. The valves are staked to prevent backing valves out too far.
- Comprehensive Package: Comes packed with all screws and brackets for regular, top jamb, and parallel arm mounting options.
- Finish Options: Available in painted aluminum, dark bronze, gold, as well as Polished Bright Chrome and Polished Bright Brass.
- Warranty: Comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
Regular fire door inspections and proper maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety and compliance of fire door assemblies. The Design Hardware 316R replacement door closer provides an effective and compliant solution for addressing door closer issues, helping facilities maintain the highest standards of fire safety. By integrating this product into your maintenance routine, you can ensure that your fire doors function correctly, providing vital protection in the event of a fire.
For more information on the Design Hardware 316R replacement door closer, feel free to email me at amanda@southeastarchitecturalsolutions.