Fire doors are one of the most misunderstood safety systems in a commercial building. They're not glamorous. They're not high-tech. And let’s be honest—most people walk past them without giving them a second thought. But when a fire breaks out, these doors are the first and last line of defense.
Here’s the thing: just having a fire door doesn’t mean you’re protected. If it's installed incorrectly, damaged, or not closing properly, it might as well be a revolving door. That’s why detailed fire door inspections—not just casual check-ins—matter more than you think.
In this blog, we’re cracking open what a detailed fire door inspection really looks like, why it goes far beyond checking a latch, and how it can make the difference between containment and catastrophe.
Ready to find out if your doors are actually doing their job? Keep reading.
Every legitimate fire door must have a visible, legible label from an accredited testing laboratory (like UL or WHI). Inspectors will check that:
Paint over the label? That’s a fail.
Inspectors examine the condition of the door leaf and frame:
A structurally compromised door won’t contain smoke or flames as designed.
The gap tolerances around a fire door are extremely specific—and for good reason. Excessive gaps let heat and smoke through.
Yes, a fraction of an inch matters this much.
The inspector will verify that:
Missing or broken parts, especially closers, are among the most common violations.
Many fire doors require:
Even one missing seal can compromise the door’s performance in a fire event.
Fire doors should:
Misuse of fire doors is a common cause of inspection failures—and real-world disasters.
1. How often should fire doors be inspected in commercial buildings?
NFPA 80 requires annual inspections, but high-traffic areas may warrant more frequent checks.
2. Can I perform fire door inspections myself?
Visual checks can be done in-house monthly, but detailed inspections must be conducted by trained professionals who understand fire door code compliance.
3. What are the consequences of a failed fire door inspection?
You may face code violations, fines, increased liability, or even forced closure until issues are corrected.
4. Do fire doors have to self-close?
Yes. All fire doors must fully close and latch on their own without human assistance to be compliant and functional.
5. What’s the biggest mistake businesses make with fire doors?
Propping them open or modifying them (drilling holes, adding locks) without understanding it voids their fire rating—and their effectiveness.
Want to ensure every fire door in your building stands up to scrutiny—and fire? AAA Fire Protection delivers certified inspections, code corrections, and ongoing maintenance that keeps your property and people protected. Because in fire safety, details aren't just important—they’re everything.
We recommend scheduling an annual inspection at minimum. However, high-occupancy buildings or industries with stricter regulations may require quarterly or semi-annual inspections to stay compliant.
Yes. Every inspection includes detailed reports, code citations, and corrective recommendations — all formatted for AHJs, insurance providers, and internal audits.
We offer multi-location service coordination, centralized scheduling, and standardized reporting to keep everything organized and consistent across your properties.
Absolutely. If we identify any violations, our team provides clear next steps, correction plans, and priority timelines to get you back in compliance quickly.
Yes. All of our inspectors are certified, trained to current NFPA standards, and stay up to date with local, state, and federal fire codes.
Most inspections take between 1–3 hours depending on the size and complexity of your facility. Larger or multi-building sites may require more time or follow-up.
