Welcome
Course Number: chi08a
An AIA Continuing Education Program
Credit for this course is 1 AIA HSW CE Hour
Course Sponsor
C.H.I. Overhead Doors
1485 Sunrise Drive
Arthur, Illinois 61911
Phone: 800-6772650
Fax: 800-738-5006
E-mail:
aia@chiohd.com
Web:
http://www.chiohd.com/
Specifying Rolling Steel Fire Doors
Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion
quiz online at ronblank.com to receive credit
1
© Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. 2005
An American Institute Of Architects (AIA)
Continuing Education Program
Approved Promotional Statement:
Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. is a registered provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. Credit earned upon
completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA
members. Certificates of Completion are available for all course
participants upon completion of the course conclusion quiz with +80%.
Please view the following slide for more information on Certificates of
Completion through RBA
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA or Ron Blank &
Associates, Inc. of any material of construction or any method or manner
of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
An American Institute Of Architects (AIA)
Continuing Education Program
Course Format: This is a structured, web-based, self study course with
a final exam.
Course Credit: 1 AIA Health Safety & Welfare (HSW) CE Hour
Completion Certificate: A confirmation is sent to you by email and you
can print one upon successful completion of a course or from your
RonBlank.com transcript. If you have any difficulties printing or
receiving your Certificate please send requests to
certificate@ronblank.com
Design professionals, please remember to print or save your certificate
of completion after successfully completing a course conclusion quiz.
Email confirmations will be sent to the email address you have provided
in your RonBlank.com account.
Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz
online at ronblank.com to receive credit
Course Description
Gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of rolling steel fire
doors—ranging from code and regulatory bodies to fail-safe fire
door definitions. This course will address NFPA 80 mandates, how
to list and label definitions, approved installation standards, and fire
wall construction details.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the design professional
will be able to:
 Explain the roles and responsibilities of the “Authority
Having Jurisdiction”.
 Explain the installation standards for Steel Fire Doors.
 List the Fire Door Classifications
 Explain the NFPA 80 mandates
 Accurately specify a fail-safe fire door system
Rolling Steel Fire Doors
A listed and labeled product
applied to a fire wall that has the
primary design purpose of
protecting property above any
other intent. It should remain in a
state of continuous readiness to
close fully in the event of a fire or
activation. Those involved with the
care and maintenance of this
product should be knowledgeable
of it’s functions, aware of it’s
condition and confident that it
remains ready without limitations.
NFPA: The National Fire Protection Association
 NFPA is not an enforcing body.
 NFPA does not list, test, certify or inspect products.
 NFPA code standards, practices and guidelines are developed
through consensus standards …. approved by the American
National Standards Institute, (ANSI).
NFPA: The National Fire Protection Association
 NFPA is a code body, but possesses neither regulatory nor
enforcement authority.
 NFPA does administer the process and does establish the rules
to promote fairness.
 Rolling steel fire protection products are addressed in Section
80, ergo NFPA-80
Fire Protection Ratings
1-3.1 Fire doors and windows are classified by the “Authority
Having Jurisdiction” by designating a required fire protection rating
expressed in hours, fractions of hours, or combinations of each.
 We are frequently asked the correct procedure for specifying a
fire door U.L. Label hour rating when the wall hour rating is
dissimilar.
 Reference Door and Access Manufacturer’s Association,
(DASMA) Technical Data Sheet #266. (www.dasma.com)
Generally Accepted Wall and Door Specification
Ratings Per DASMA 266
Wall Rating
in Hours
Door Rating
in Hours
1
2
3
4
¾
1½
3
3,4
Fire Protection Rating
 The designation indicating the duration of the fire test exposure
to which a fire door assembly…was exposed and for which it
fully met all acceptance criteria...See NFPA 252, Standard
Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies…
i.e.: 45 minute, 90 Minute, 3 hour, 4 hour.
The “Authority Having Jurisdiction”
 (AHJ). The organization, office, or individual responsible for
approving equipment, an installation or a procedure.
– This could be a fire chief, fire marshal or the chief of a fire
prevention bureau, labor or health department, building
official or electrical inspector, commanding officer or, in some
cases, the property owner.
Authority Having Jurisdiction, Cont.
– Inquiries may generally be made to the fire marshal's office
or city building inspector’s office to reference or determine
whom, in fact the AHJ is for any project in question.
– AHJ’s may be coached and informed. Always base
information on NFPA 80 and industry technical data.
– The AHJ has the authority to approve non-typical
applications, fasteners or construction.
What does “Listed” mean?
 Per NFPA-80: Equipment or materials included on a list
maintained by an organization…...that is acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction...and concerned with evaluation of
products …that maintains a periodic inspection of production
of…products..and whose listing states that…it meets identified
standards or has been tested…and found suitable for a specified
purpose.
Versus “Labeled”?
 Listed items shall be identified by a label that is readily visible
and convenient for identification by the AHJ after installation of
the assembly.
 A label is the identifying mark of an acceptable organization
signifying compliance with appropriate standards or performance
in a specified manner.
Listed Vs: Labeled
 In summary, an item is considered to be listed by an acceptable
organization if it bears their label signifying conformity to their
inspections, standards and follow-up procedures.
 This label must be for a listing organization whose standards
and procedures the AHJ will recognize and approve.
 The label and listing is appropriately identified during the
specification process to match fire wall and code requirements.
Listing Organizations
Underwriters Laboratories
Factory Mutual
Warnock Hersey
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
 NFPA 80 1-5.2 The label or the listing shall be considered
evidence that such devices or materials have been evaluated
and produced under an in-plant, follow-up inspection program.
Fire Door Terminology
Fire Door Classifications
(Appendix NFPA-80 1999 Edition)
 Class A – Openings in fire walls and in walls that divide a single
building into fire areas. (Usually 3hr and 4hr doors.)
 Class B – Openings in enclosures of vertical communications
through buildings and in 2 hour rated partitions providing
horizontal fire protection.
Fire Door Classifications, Cont.
 Class C – Openings in walls or partitions between rooms and
corridors having a fire resistance rating of 1 hour or less.
 Class D – Openings in exterior walls subject to severe fire
exposure from outside the building.
 Class E – Openings in exterior walls subject to moderate or light
fire exposure from outside the building.
Door Holder/Release Device
Definition of a door holder/release device per NFPA-80: A labeled,
fail-safe device, controlled by a detection device, used on an
automatic closing door to release the door at the time of fire.
Examples:
1. Electrical/Mechanical Time Delay Release
Fail-Safe Releases
 A device that is normally energized, (NC circuit).
 A device whose contacts open upon initiation by detector or
alarm to stop the flow of electrical current to the device to cause,
or effect, a release.
 A device that will release immediately upon loss of power.
Delayed releases are common and acceptable.
Fail-Safe Releases
 Time delay releases, (no longer than 60 seconds per NFPA-80),
function to hold the door assembly from activating for a fixed, or
adjustable, delay of time in the event of a temporary power
failure.
 The very best release choices feature an adjustable timer with a
battery-powered backup, (to help eliminate nuisance drops
associated with standard fail-safe release devices), good for up
to 72 hours or more. These releases require a signal from a
detection device to activate the door while in backup mode.
 These are not standard and must be specified!
Non Fail-Safe Releases, (NFS)
Fusible Links and Electrical/Thermal Releases
 Although NFPA 80 requires a door holder or release device be
fail safe, acceptability of a non-fail safe device is the
decision of the authority having jurisdiction. (The intent of
the specifier with influence from the insurance underwriter and
building owner is extremely important).
 In many cases, a decision is made to eliminate “nuisance”
activations when the power is temporarily lost - and to avoid the
expense of a fail-safe battery backup unit, by ignoring fail-safe
mandates and accepting a thermally or electrically/thermally
activated release device or standard fusible links.
NFS Release: Fusible Link
 Two pieces of metal held together by a low melting-point solder.
(165 degrees F). The purpose of a fusible link is to separate at a
pre-determined temperature, enabling the release of the device
that prevents the door from closing automatically under normal
circumstances.
 Fusible links are not fail-safe, but are considered to be a
standard minimum manner of fire door activation in response
to elevated temperatures caused by combustion.
 Are readily contaminated and defeated by dust, grease or
paint.
NFS Release: Fusible Link, Cont.
 Fusible links are manufactured in a range from 125 degrees
F to 500 degrees F.
 165 degrees F is the industry standard for rolling steel fire
doors and shutters.
 Higher temperature ranges may be selected as approved by
the authority having jurisdiction.
Example: To activate sprinklers at a higher
temperature than the fire doors.
NFS Release: Electrical/Thermal Release

Do not typically meet fail-safe standards as defined by
NFPA and other model code bodies.

Must be electrically compatible with sensing device, (ex:
smoke detectors), voltages used in the system.
NFS Release: Electrical/Thermal Release
Electrical/Thermal releases, as practical devices:
1. Do achieve an interface between an electrical detector and a
mechanical release.
2. Do provide redundant release possibilities.
3. Do not typically allow nuisance drops from power failure.
Automatic Closing Device
Defined per NFPA-80 as a device attached to a door that causes
the door to close when activated as a result of a predetermined
temperature, rate of temperature rise, smoke, or other product of
combustion.
Examples:
1. Spring tension release assembly.
2. Door holding brake
Governors
Per NFPA 80: A mechanical device that limits the speed of descent
of the door during closure.
Examples:
Centrifugal, pendulum, viscous or ratcheting governor.
Governors, Cont.
1. Rolling fire doors shall have an average closing speed of
not less than 6” per second, nor more than 24” per second
per NFPA-80.
2. Modern fire door designs typically drop at a rate of 6” to 12”
per second, may be adjusted for drop speed, and may
utilize centrifugal or viscous governors.
3. It is not necessary to specify governor type regarding fire
doors unless you want to specifically eliminate an obsolete
design.
Detection Devices
Smoke Detectors:
 Ionization type and photoelectric type detects visible or invisible
particles of combustion.
 Generally preclude the necessity of installing fusible links
through the wall.
 One typically used on each side of the wall.
 Smoke detectors are designed to trigger a fail-safe release
device which allows fire door to activate close, or drop, mode.
Detection Devices, Cont.
Heat Rise Detectors:
 Function at various temperature ranges.
 Used in areas where dust, smoke or particulates renders a
smoke detector useless.
 Not a favorite of most AJH’s.
 Susceptible to dirt, paint or grime buildup.
Detection Devices, Cont.
Fusible Links:
 Standard for door industry is 165 degrees.
 Located per manufacturer’s instructions.
 Heat causes link to separate, releasing door release cable and
activating door.
 Fusible link condition is extremely important – inexpensive to
replace.
 Function susceptible to and affected by dust, dirt, paint and
grime buildup.
Detection Devices, Cont.
1-10.6
Detectors or fusible links shall be installed on both sides of the wall,
interconnected so that the operation of any single detector or
fusible link causes the door to close.
Exception:
A detector or fusible link shall not be required on an exterior
(outside) wall unless within certain minimum standards imposed by
local or state building code.
Detection Devices, Cont.
1-10.2
All detectors including fusible links shall not be placed in the dead
air space developed at the intersection of the wall and ceiling
directly above the fire door.
 Fusible links are required for both sides of the wall within 12” of,
but not closer than 4” to, the intersection of the wall and ceiling.
The exception to this is on an outside wall or when both sides of
the wall are protected by a smoke alarm or similar detection
device.
The Red Zone for Detector Location
Detectors must never be
placed within four inches
of the intersection of a
ceiling and wall, nor further
away than twelve inches.
Specifying Installations
Installation
 Do request “Red Zone” drawings well in advance to prevent
installation or operational obstructions or limitations.
(DASMA TDS #276)
 Do not locate fusible links near sprinkler heads unless they are
shielded. (DASMA TDS 254).
 Do coordinate temperature release between sprinkler systems
and fire door systems if necessary.
Installation
This is a picture of a fire shutter
installation on a wall that is considerably
taller than the top of the hood. Cables
have to be constructed to run to the
ceiling intersection per UL
requirements.
Install doors and release cables per
manufacturer' instructions and U.L.
requirements
Installation, Cont.
 Do understand the manufacturer’s product design.
 Do not assume that all fire door installation requirements are the
same from one manufacturer to another.
 Do specify use of fasteners supplied by the manufacturer in
proper locations spelled out by the installation manual.
 Do inspect for fasteners and installations per manufacturers
instructions to insure adherence to label requirements.
Installation, Cont.
 Do specify core filling of stacked masonry surrounding door and
window openings with minimum 2000 psi concrete or equivalent.
 Do specify and insist that masonry be core filled an adequate
height above opening height to allow appropriate and safe
fastening of guide angle assemblies to the wall.
 Do not specify jamb construction which is not specifically
approved for rolling steel fire door application.
Installation, Cont.
 Do understand acceptable fastener types suitable for the
mounting surface.
 Do specify drywall construction to include adequately sized
internal mounting tubes or dimensional lumber at jamb locations
that guide fasteners will actually find and securely mount to.
 Do design load bearing steel and wood jambs to extend from
floor to structural overhead members.
Through Bolt And Crush Plate To Hollow Masonry
Detail showing approved face of wall mounted guide assembly using
through bolts through hollow masonry.
Through-bolt And Crush Plate Z Guide To Stacked
Brick
Detail showing approved face of wall mounted guide assembly using
through bolts through hollow masonry.
Z Mount To Solid Masonry
Detail showing approved face of wall mounted guide assembly using
sleeve anchors in core filled masonry.
Z Mount To Solid Masonry, Cont.
Detail showing approved face of wall mounted guide assembly using
sleeve anchors to poured concrete.
E Mount To Steel Jambs
Detail showing face of wall mounted guide assembly using machine bolts
and/or weldments to steel capped concrete.
Z Mount To Gypsum
Detail showing approved between jamb mounted guide assembly using
machine bolts to steel tube.
E Mount To Gypsum
Detail showing approved face of wall mounted guide assembly using
machine bolts to steel tube.
E Guide Weldments To Steel
Detail showing approved face
of wall mounted guide
assembly using weldments to
steel capped masonry
Guide Angle Weldments To Steel
Approved
weldments to
steel detail.
Installing Fire Door Hoods
6-4.3 Hoods and Housings.
Where the door is mounted on the face of the wall or between
jambs, the metal hood and housing shall be secured tightly to the
brackets and the wall.
1. Doing this ties the fire door head plates together and adds
structural integrity to the entire assembly.
2. Securing hood to wall above header closes the fire path
from above the hood and is required by most installation
procedural requirements.
Installing The Hood, Cont.
….securing hood to the wall………..
4. Prevents blockage from debris and repels falling debris.
5. Must include hood support and fasteners when provided.
Fasteners are not always provided.
Installation Drop Tests
 Do specify repeated drop tests to assure that the application is
successful, at-the-ready and repeatable.
 Do specify a signed drop test form from the installing company
with suitable witness.
 Do require copies for your file and for the owner to retain with
installation/operation manuals.
Material Or Fastener Substitutions and Deletions
There aren’t any good ones!
A fire door and it’s release assembly consists of sheet metal,
steel shapes, fasteners, cables, pulleys, s-hooks, turnbuckles
etc.
1. Using components not supplied by the manufacturer with the
door must be approved by the manufacturer or AJH.
2. Don’t allow this practice, in any form, on your project unless
it is absolutely unavoidable.
3. If substitution is unavoidable, you should always obtain
permission from the manufacturer first, then from the AHJ.
Drop Testing Fire Doors
Drop Testing Fire Doors
 Most modern fire door
systems can be quickly and
simply drop tested and reset
from the floor without tools or
equipment.
 It is to your supreme
advantage that the owner has
a clear understanding and
participative working
knowledge of his fire door
system.
 The owner will rely upon your
expertise regarding future
inspections, drop testing and
label compliance.
Do strongly encourage an
annual inspection and drop test
by a reputable door company in
addition to what he may perform
himself.
Drop Testing Fire Doors
 Drop testing requires the door
to be activated from the
(recommended) full open
position to self-close by
gravity or power, be speed
regulated by a governing
device, and close fully to the
floor to prevent the passage
of flame from one building or
building segment to the other.
The door must not close faster
than 24” per second, nor more
slowly than 6” per second per
NFPA 80.
Drop Testing, Cont.
 Drop testing with a witness upon completion of installation is
strongly recommended and is a mandated by NFPA and many
fire door manufacturers.
 Most manufacturers supply a three-part drop test form with the
door package which is to be completed and signed at the time
of the drop test.
 This is an excellent time to have the AHJ and an owner’s
representative present.
Drop Testing, Cont.
 Inspect the installation and note any damage, especially that
which may prevent reliable operation.
 Inspect for non-OEM parts.
 Anchoring devices or methods may be incorrect per installation
manual and may fail the door.
 Drop test the door by simple test procedure, burning a fusible
link or by releasing an S hook.
Drop Testing, Cont.
 Pass or fail the drop test.
 Door must be reset to the specifications set forth in the
installation/operation manual.
 Pass or fail the door based upon any need to restore the
system to specific factory operational condition.
Drop Testing, Cont.
 Repeat the test and reset the door.
 You may sign as witness and keep a copy of the drop test form
with notes.
 This must be repeated at a later date if repairs or new parts
must be ordered and installed to pass the drop test.
Summary
 Code bodies such as the National Fire Protection Association
develop fire door policy through census standards.
 Listing agencies such as U.L. and Warnock Hersey test systems
and provide labels and in-plant follow up inspections to certify
compliance.
 Fail safe fire door systems are the safest and most reliable
currently available and rely upon regular testing to maintain
system integrity and readiness.
 Fire door installations require approved jamb design and
construction to perform as rated.
Summary, Cont.
 Substitutions and non-factory components are not approved and
should never be allowed without express permission from the
manufacturer and the AHJ.
 Detectors must be installed in the correct locations to function as
designed.
 Witnessing the drop testing and resetting after the installation is
vitally important and required in most cases.
Summary, Cont.
 Owner managed drop testing is feasible and beneficial with
modern, simple test fire door designs.
 In addition to owner drop testing and documentation, annual
outside source drop testing helps to ensure system compliance,
safety and readiness.
 Repairs and adjustments to fire doors require that they be drop
tested and reset to insure continued readiness.
DASMA
Our special thanks to DASMA for the many informative Technical
Data Sheets posted to their website: www.dasma.com.
Our special thanks to NFPA for their informative publications and
guidance: www.nfpa.com.
Our sincere and special thanks to you, the specifier, with whom we
refine and share knowledge.
Course Objectives
The design professional will now be able to:
 Explain the roles and responsibilities of the “Authority
Having Jurisdiction”.
 Explain the installation standards for Steel Fire Doors.
 List the Fire Door Classifications
 Explain the NFPA 80 mandates
 Accurately specify a fail-safe fire door system
Thank you!
Course Number: chi08a
An AIA Continuing Education Program
Credit for this course is 1 AIA HSW CE Hour
Course Sponsor
C.H.I. Overhead Doors
1485 Sunrise Drive
Arthur, Illinois 61911
Phone: 800-6772650
Fax: 800-738-5006
E-mail:
aia@chiohd.com
Web:
http://www.chiohd.com/
Specifying Rolling Steel Fire Doors
Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion
quiz online at ronblank.com to receive credit
69
© Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. 2005