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Chapter 6 of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives 2007 edition covers the installation of swinging doors with builders hardware. This information was previously found in Chapter 2 of the 1999 edition.

6.1 addresses doors and begins by defining a fire door assembly as "consist[ing] of components that are separate products incorporated into the assembly and allowed to have their own components." (This paragraph has been shortened from the 1999 edition, which listed the actual components. In the newer edition the list of components is moved into the annex.)

6.1.3 next addresses the mounting of doors, indicating doors with builders hardware are to be flush mounted in labeled door frames. The door types listed are swinging composite, hollow metal, flush sheet metal, metal-clad (kalamein), and wood core doors with builders hardware.

Under the heading of Operation of Doors, closing and latching are addressed by stating, "all swinging doors shall be closed and latched at the time of fire." Operation of Doors is divided into the following three categories:

1. Self-closing doors

2. Automatic-closing doors

3. Power-operated fire doors

More detail is provided on each of these categories.

Self-closing doors shall swing easily and freely and shall be equipped with a closing device to cause the door to close and latch each time it is opened.

The closing mechanism shall not have a hold-open feature.

This is one of the more basic and most important tenants of fire door assemblies. The doors must swing freely and easily, and must close and latch.

Automatic-closing doors shall be permitted to close automatically by means of the installation of a closing device and one of the following:

(1) A separate, labeled, fail-safe door holder/release device or a hold-open mechanism that shall be permitted to be an integral part of the basic closing device.

(2) An integral closing device that allows the door to swing freely and that automatically closes the door during an alarm condition, provided that the hold-open mechanisms are released by one or a combination of automatic fire detectors acceptable to the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).

Power-operated fire doors shall be equipped with a releasing device that shall automatically disconnect the power operator at the time of fire, allowing a self-closing or automatic device to close the door regardless of power failure or manual operation.

6.3 outlines the requirements for door frames and begins with a clear statement that "only labeled door frames shall be used." The annex indicates that the rating of an installed assembly should carry the rating of the door or the door frame, whichever is less. The annex also offers information on some typical frame installation techniques required for proper installation of fire door frames.

Clearances for steel doors are noted in this section and are listed at 1/8" plus/minus 1/16" for the clearance between the top and vertical edges of the door and frame, and the meeting edges of doors swinging in pairs. For wood doors, the clearance shall not exceed 1/8".

6.3 continues with information on frames for transom lights and side lights as well as multiple opening frames.

6.4 outlines the requirement for closing devices. It begins with the statement that "unless otherwise permitted by the AHJ, a closing device shall be installed on every fire door." The annex offers more insight into circumstances where the AHJ might not require a closer on every door. These situations may include "pairs of doors to mechanical equipment rooms and certain industrial areas where an inactive leaf is provided and is infrequently used to permit large equipment to be moved through the door opening." It also gives insight about the use of closers for communicating doors in hotel/motel sleeping rooms. (It is important to note that the annex is for information purposes and not a part of the requirements.)

Section 6.4 also indicates requirements for using a coordinating device.

An important requirement of this section on closing devices is in 6.4.1.3, which states, "all components of closing devices used shall be attached securely to doors and frames by steel screws or through bolts." This statement is followed by 6.4.1.4, which indicates "all closing mechanisms shall be adjusted to overcome the resistance of the latch mechanism so that positive latching is achieved on each door operation."

The information presented is not inclusive. You must consult the standards for additional information that may be appropriate for your projects.

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